Rockbridge and Makeready have opened The Junto hotel in Columbus, OH. The independent lifestyle hotel is located less than a mile from downtown and about a mile from Franklinton.
“I am incredibly proud and humbled to bring The Junto to Columbus,” said Jimmy Merkel, Rockbridge CEO and founder, Makeready. “Having witnessed the remarkable growth and potential of this city, we wanted to take the best parts of our other projects and bring them to life at The Junto, I think we did that. The Junto is not only a hotel—it’s a testament to the evolution and the city of Columbus, which is poised for extraordinary growth. I have seen the impact our other Makeready hotels have had in other markets, and now I am looking forward to bringing that same community impact to my hometown.”
To bring The Junto and its experiences to life, Merkel assembled his teams Makeready, RBHD and RBHM have come together to develop, concept, design and operate the hotel and restaurants. Prior to The Junto, this team collaborated on the redevelopment and reimagining of several other properties including Emeline and The Ryder in Charleston, SC; Noelle in Nashville; Halcyon in Cherry Creek, CO; Cliff House in Ogunquit, ME; The Adolphus in Dallas; and more. Additionally, the group is leading the development of more independent hotels and restaurants in multiple cities, including Columbus, Phoenix and Charleston.
The hotel features 198 guestrooms and suites, The Trade Room lobby concept, a library and 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and Gear Garage, which offers a variety of equipment for guests to rent. Following the hotel’s opening, the team will unveil several new culinary experiences in the summer months.
To further enrich guests’ experiences, The Junto is introducing a lineup of programming including outdoor activations for the neighboring community with Maudine’s Night School and The Trade Room Talks. The Trade Room will also offer live music every Friday.