Former Longaberger building to open for business again as luxury hotel

Kent Mallett | Newark Advocate

NEWARK – The former Longaberger basket building on the eastern edge of Newark will be open for business again, although it will be a place to spend the night instead of work in an office.

In a couple years, the seven-story basket building will open as a luxury hotel with 150 rooms, a restaurant and indoor pool.

David Crisafi, president of Westlake, Ohio, hotel owner-operator Ceres Enterprises and architect Jonathan Sandvick, president of Sandvick Architects, of Cleveland, joined building co-owner Steve Coon in making the announcement Monday night in the lobby of the building.

The former headquarters of The Longaberger Company has been vacant since the remaining employees left in July 2016, to join co-workers at Building A on the company's manufacturing campus near Frayzeysburg. The company ceased operations in 2018.

More: Longaberger basket building tour draws huge crowd

Coon and business partner Bobby George, of Cleveland, purchased the building in December 2017, a month before it was to go to a foreclosure auction.

"It's a magestic one-of-a kind architectural gem," Sandvick said. "It's an honor to be working together to bring this wonderful place back to its glory."

Coon said the plan is to pursue state historic tax credits, which will be awarded in June, and then complete renovation work in about 18 months.

"We looked at everything," Coon said of possible uses for the building. "But the best value was a hotel."

The partners in the project did not say how much the work will cost, but the expense will not include changing the exterior look of a basket. A conservancy easement will guarantee the building remains a basket, Coon said.

"The handles, that's what makes this building special and unique," Coon said. "This will stay a basket. It's going to be a basket forever. It's got the draw. This is a destination."

Crisafi said the location, which some questioned if it was too far from population centers, will not be an obstacle.

"There's Denison and Columbus is not that far," Crisafi said. "The uniqueness of this. . . people are looking for experiences. There's a lot of things we can do here. Weddings, business conferences. The venue lends to all of that."

Sandvick has been involved with the project throughout the two years Coon has owned the building. He said normally the challenge is turning a historic building into a hotel is creating something unique around the rooms. The challenge is reversed with the Longaberger building.

"Largely, the public spaces will be kept intact," Sandvick said. "The bigness actually is what makes it possible to do it. It's very visible from (Ohio) 16. That's really an advantage. It is truly a landmark that is one of a kind."

Mayor Jeff Hall said the use of the building continues the Longaberger legacy.

"It's about a building that deserves the respect.," Hall said. "A hotel is a perfect fit because it's open to the public. Dave Longaberger would be happy with that. It's the right people and the right property. These guys are not in the business of losing money."

Coon said city leaders should be commended for encouraging him to help save the building. Newark Development Partners paid for the building utilities, so it would remain in good condition throughout the winters.

During a public tour of the building on Sunday, Coon said he has heard from many former Longaberger employees, consultants and family members since he purchased the building, helping to preserve the legacy of founder Dave Longaberger, who died 20 years ago.

“Total strangers from all over thanked me for buying the building,” Coon said. “It’s a testament to the building and the people here. His brothers and sisters all gave me a hug and a kiss. I’m sure he’s looking down on us smiling because I feel we’re doing the right thing.”

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @kmallett1958