page_title: Christopher Inn
section_title: Attributes and design
hierarchical_section_title: Christopher Inn / Attributes and design
caption_attribution_description: English: Christopher Inn hotel postcard at opening. Before 1964 COSI. No copyright notice.
context_page_description: The Christopher Inn was a hotel in Downtown Columbus, Ohio. The cylindrical mid-century modern hotel had 16 floors, 137 wedge-shaped rooms, and modern interiors at the time. The hotel operated from 1963 to 1988, when it was demolished. The site is now used as a surface parking lot.
context_section_description: The Christopher Inn was designed by Karlsberger & Associates, along with Leon Ransom, the first known African American architect of prominence in the city. The cylindrical hotel was mid-century modern, given its simple style, ample use of windows, and open interiors. It was described as a motor inn due to its size and parking accommodations beneath the hotel floors. The Christopher Inn had 16 floors, 137 pie-slice rooms, and a heated pool. 710 glass panels were used throughout the entire building. The hotel neighbored Memorial Hall, which became the location for the Center of Science and Industry (now known by its acronym, COSI) in 1964. Next to that is the Midland Building, and across the street was the first Wendy's restaurant.
  Its decor was modern at its opening in 1963, but became dated by 1977. Custom furniture was designed for each room, fitting their rounded corners. Each room had floor-to-ceiling glass walls with a panoramic view of downtown Columbus. Rough stone walls were used throughout the lower levels, along with free-hanging staircases with red and gold carpets. The lobby had a wide view of Broad Street, while the mezzanine overlooked a 36-foot (11 m) circular pool and a landscaped stone terrace. The hotel's restaurant, Henry's, was described as 'stylish and modern'.
caption: The Christopher Inn and Memorial Hall on Broad Street
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