Columbus' Coolest Offices - Schaefer's Overhaul of the Old Yeager Graphics Building

Originally published by Columbus Business First

When structural engineering firm Schaefer outgrew its 1,500-square-foot offices at 815 Grandview Ave., it picked the old Yeager Graphics building nearby for its new home base, a project that required a complete overhaul.

Working with Compton Construction, WSA Studio, Kimberly O Design, Capitol Equities and Sketch Blue, the 3,900-square-foot space at 937 W. Third Ave. in Grandview was turned into a modern, open, collaborative work environment.

“Our Columbus office was designed to reflect who we are as a firm: smart, approachable, creative, innovative and confident,” spokeswoman Kristin DeBord told me. “Pops of red throughout the office are a bold branding element, reflecting the color of our logo. The office design mimics our brand design – very welcoming with raw, approachable materials mixed with a modern, streamlined aesthetic. To enjoy the outside even when we’re working inside, we have large windows and even a garage door we open on those perfect warm weather days (or when we rent out food trucks for firm celebrations).”

Schaefer is the east bookend of the quad-divided warehouse space that it shares with neighbors Birkram Hot Yoga Columbus, Reed Arts custom picture framing studio, Live Happier Loft life coach and Crystal Remembrance glass studio.

This is Schaefer’s third Columbus location, having outgrown the other two, including the first one near John Glenn Columbus International Airport where it started here in 2006. The company was founded in Cincinnati in 1976.

This project was the final section of the Yeager property’s redevelopment by Capitol Equities Ltd. Principals Todd Kemmerer and J.R. Kern.

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2 Comments

  • I am in the New Albany area, but technically City of Columbus. I have a home addition that has not gone smoothly. It is a fully enclosed 18’x11.25’ room with crawlspace underneath. It is over 75% completed, however things keeping popping up that don’t seem right. Our contractor hired a sub to do the majority of the initial work; foundation, framing, and roof. After that my contractor ended up firing him because of all the mistakes he was making. My contractor has been working with me to get everything resolved, but things just keep popping up. The most recent discovery is that the sub used 2x8s instead of 2x10s for the floor joists. The contractors architect said this is still within code, but the floor definitely has some bounce to it and we are about to put down porcelain tile. I am looking for someone with experience to make sure the fixes my contractor is putting in place with not only be to code but will also last more than a few years. Is this something you could provide an assessment and recommendations on?

    • Hi Matthew – we’d like to chat more about your home addition. Please call us at 614.428.4400 to connect with one of our Columbus structural engineers.

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