Whitestone acquires Westin hotel in Columbus, OH

Whitestone Capital Acquires Historic Westin Columbus in 2025

WHITESTONE CAPITAL, A subsidiary of Whitestone Cos., acquired the 189-key Westin Great Southern Hotel in Columbus, Ohio, in an all-cash deal—its 14th purchase in 24 months and first in downtown Columbus. The company selected ZMC Hotels to manage the property.

Whitestone Cos. is led by CEO Jay Batra.

"While we've acquired many assets nationwide, this one is especially meaningful as it's in our hometown," Batra said. "We're excited to add this historic property to our portfolio."

The Westin Great Southern Hotel, built in 1896, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally the Great Southern Fireproof Building and Opera House, it has hosted figures including Presidents William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

"When you step into the two-story marble lobby, you feel a century of history around you," said Batra. "You see the craftsmanship that built it. They don’t make them like this anymore."

The hotel offers more than 10,000 square feet of event space, including a ballroom with a marble floor, stained glass windows, and 25-foot ceilings, making it a popular wedding venue.

Chuck Groger, Whitestone’s chief revenue officer, said investors and designers value projects like this.

"While different from our traditional value-add offerings, this project blends restoring a historic asset, preserving its story, and enhancing the guest experience," he said.

In December, Whitestone acquired the 144-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Minneapolis-Mall of America, its first investment in Minnesota and fourth Homewood Suites purchase in 18 months.