Fortner Fine Furnishings Consolidates Furniture and Upholstery Business to 2000 S. High St.

The historic Seagraves Fire Truck Manufacturing Facility, most recently Jet Container on the south side of Columbus has been sold to Fortner Fine Furnishings. The 230,000 SF space located at 2000-2050 S. High Street will include 25,000 SF for upholstery and restoration and another 25,000 SF for custom furniture and carpentry.

“My grandfather worked as an upholstery on the South Side of Columbus, so in a sense it is us coming back to our roots,” said Justin McAllister, President of Fortner Fine Furnishings.

Fortner purchased the building after consolidating locations at 3291 N. High Street, 2629 and 2622 Johnstown Road totalling 27,000 SF. Since Justin has been President, the 88-year-old business has started to make concentrated effort to evolve and to focus their energy on commercial and retail clients.

“The vast available space with hardwood floors, original brick walls, and bright windows provide opportunities for younger business and those in need of large amounts of space at an affordable rate,” states John Mally of NAI Ohio Equities, the leasing agent for the building. “This building will be an anchor to the southside with the ability to provide some small businesses the opportunity to create jobs at this location.”

Since closing on the building and fully transferring their operations, Justin will begin his vision of renovating additional spaces for creative businesses, manufacturers, artists and makers in the historic south side building. Recent signed leases include the Actor’s Theatre of Columbus. Alternative Fashion Mob and other woodworking manufacturers are also close to reaching lease terms.

Triad Architects has been retained as the architect for the building renovation. The firm has recently completed the Columbus Idea Foundry space and was an ideal fit for the project. Triad is working on a master plan for the entire space.

The building has a storied past, in 1893, the Seagraves Company moved its headquarters to Columbus from Detroit. In 1963, the company then relocated to Wisconsin, where it still remains. When Seagraves left the building, Jet Containers occupied the historic 50,000 SF building.