The Old Mohawk has received partial approval to expand and renovate its historic restaurant in Columbus, Ohio’s German Village neighborhood. The German Village Commission approved part of the proposal for the restaurant at 819 Mohawk St. during an October 7 meeting, while requesting revisions to other elements of the plan.
The proposal was submitted by Design Collective on behalf of the restaurant’s new owner, Rick Doody of NCR Ventures. The restaurant group purchased The Old Mohawk in July from longtime owner Michael Reames, marking a new chapter for the neighborhood establishment.
The renovation plans call for expanding the first-floor dining room and patio, adding dormers to the roof and making changes to the building’s front windows. The proposed project would add approximately 1,460 square feet, including about 550 square feet of additional first-floor space and an expanded patio.
If completed as proposed, the restaurant’s interior would measure just over 8,100 square feet, with a patio of approximately 637 square feet.
The commission approved the first-floor expansion but did not approve every part of the renovation. Plans for roof dormers with operable windows may move forward once the applicant returns with updated details. The commission rejected the request to replace the building’s existing front windows with uniform ones, citing concerns about preserving the property’s historic character.
The review marks the second time Design Collective has presented plans for the project to the commission. The changes are intended to improve the restaurant’s space while preserving the historic features that define the German Village district.
The Old Mohawk has a history dating back to 1906, when German sailor Ferdinand Thomas opened a general store at the site. The establishment became a restaurant in 1933 and has since developed into a longtime neighborhood dining destination.
NCR Ventures is based in Cleveland and operates several restaurant concepts across Ohio, including Bar Italia at Easton Town Center. The group has also announced plans for Arlington Grille in the former Houlihan’s space in Upper Arlington. Despite the planned exterior and space improvements, the new ownership has said it does not intend to make immediate changes to The Old Mohawk’s menu or internal operations.
The project remains subject to additional review for the elements that were not fully approved. The applicant will need to return with revised plans before the remaining proposed changes can move forward.
WhatNow will update this article as more information becomes available.
