Case Study: High Bank Distillery Co. - Westerville
What happens when a civic landmark stops serving the public, and a community is ready to bring it back into daily life?
High Bank Distillery Co. saw that opportunity in a former first‑class post office at the heart of Uptown Westerville. Built in 1935 and deeply tied to the city’s Prohibition‑era history, the building was full of character but cut off from its surroundings. Solid masonry walls, limited access points, and an inward‑facing layout made it feel more like a relic than a destination.
High Bank set out to change that. WSA was engaged to reimagine the building through an adaptive reuse strategy focused on access, connection, and use. New entries, walk‑up access, and outdoor patios open the building to the street and extend activity into the public realm. Inside, previously compartmentalized spaces were transformed into open dining and gathering areas designed to support interaction, visibility, and repeat visits.
The result is a project that respects the building’s past while giving it a meaningful role in the present. By designing for change, a once‑closed civic structure has been returned to everyday relevance, supporting High Bank’s vision for hospitality, craft, and community in the life of Westerville.
DOWNLOAD THE CASE STUDY HERE
-
Westerville, OH
-
2025 Columbus Business First Building Columbus Awards - Best Adaptive Reuse
2025 AIA Columbus Merit Award
2025 IIDA Columbus City Center Award Winner in Play
-
The Kleingers Group (Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering)
SMBH (Structural Engineering)
Catalyst Engineering (MEP Engineering)
Equity Construction Solutions (Contractor)