German Village + Downtown Columbus

Where the light does the decorating.

Two photographer-designed lofts in German Village and Downtown Columbus. Bring any caterer, any vendor. No food or beverage minimums.

Check your date See both spaces

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4.9Google · Downtown

4.5Google · German Village

No food or beverage minimums

Two Columbus locations

Two spaces

Two spaces. One obsession with light.

One intimate, one grand, both flooded with natural light and yours to shape however you like. Tour either, or both.

200Guests · 165 seated

Downtown

The historic loft

309 S 4th St · Up to 200 guests

A restored 1902 loft near 4th and Main with soaring arch windows, white brick, olive and ficus trees, a built-in bar and a bridal suite. Room for a full wedding, or a company night that feels nothing like a ballroom.

View Downtown

40Guests

German Village

The light-filled studio loft

79 Thurman Ave · Up to 40 guests

A naturally lit second-floor loft in the heart of German Village. White walls as a blank canvas, a mobile bar, velvet sofa, string lights, a caterer's kitchen and a free on-site lot. Made for showers, dinners and photo shoots.

View German Village

The signature of the space

See the same room, hour by hour.

Our owners are photographers, so we built these rooms around the light. Drag to move the Downtown loft through the day.

Flat 51 Downtown loft used to demonstrate natural light across the day

Midday

Bright midday

Full sun through the arch windows.

Sell-build preview · final version shot at four true times of day

Warm corner of the Flat 51 Downtown loft with brick, window and greenery

Chelsie Smith and Jen Brown, co-owners of Flat 51

Why Flat 51

Your event. Your vendors. Your rules.

Most Columbus venues sell you a package: their food, their bar, their minimums. We sell you a beautiful room and get out of your way.

01No food or beverage minimumsSpend what your event needs, not a number we set.
02Bring any caterer, any vendorNo required lists. We will happily recommend our favorites.
03Tables and chairs includedIncluded at both spaces, along with the bar and string lights.
04Parking that actually worksA free lot in German Village, lots directly across the street Downtown.
05Built to photographDesigned around natural light by two working photographers.

Owned by Chelsie Smith and Jen Brown · friends, photographers, founders

The spaces

Rooms that do half the work.

Real photos of both lofts, shot in the light they were designed for.

Downtown loft set for an event under string lights

German Village loft with lounge seating and plants

Elegant tablescape detail in the Downtown loft

German Village white loft with string lights and tables

Table setting with florals in the Downtown loft

German Village loft with velvet sofa and greenery

Arch window and plant in the Downtown loft

Long table set with place settings Downtown

Evening table detail in the Downtown loft

★★★★★

“The venue itself is so beautiful, you don’t need a whole lot added.”

Google review · Flat 51 Downtown

“The string lights, dimmable overhead lights, and large windows created really great lighting for the wedding and photos.”

Google review · Downtown

“Flat 51 was a dreamy and bright space to host our shower. Especially love that tables and chairs are included and there is free parking.”

Google review · German Village

Flat 51 photo studio with natural light and lounge seating

Flat 51 photo studio corner with plants and props

The Photo Studio

2,500 square feet of pure daylight.

Our German Village studio has south, north and west-facing windows, so the light is good all day. Couch, tables and chairs included. Book it by the hour for photo or video.

1 to 5 peoplePhoto & video

$70/hr

6 to 10 peoplePhoto & video

$85/hr

Over 10 peoplePhoto & video

$100/hr

Equipment not included. Restroom, kitchen and free parking on site.

Inquire about the studio

Good to know

Questions, answered.

Send the inquiry form for either or both spaces. We check availability and reply within 48 hours, then schedule your tour. Rentals are first come, first serve on a signed agreement. We do not rent either space site unseen, so a tour is always required.

Yes, absolutely. Both venues have a caterer's kitchen, there are no food or beverage minimums, and you choose your own caterer and bartender. We are always happy to recommend our favorites.

Downtown holds up to 200 guests (165 seated). German Village holds up to 40 guests. Tables and chairs are included at both.

No. Use any vendor you like. We can recommend coordinators, caterers, florists, bakers, bartenders, DJs and photographers if you want a starting point.

German Village has a free on-site lot, spaces marked Flat 51 or Visitor. Downtown has street parking and two paid lots directly across the street on 4th.

A day-of coordinator is required for all weddings and receptions so your day runs smoothly. If you do not have one, we can recommend a few favorites.

Flat 51 Downtown is on the first floor and is handicap accessible. Flat 51 German Village is on the second floor with no elevator.

Glitter, open flames and illegal drugs. We also ask that you skip command strips on the brick walls.

Inquire

Tell us about your event.

Send a few details for either or both spaces. We check availability and reply within 48 hours, then set up your tour.

Thanks, we have your details. We will check availability and reply within 48 hours to set up your tour.

Downtown

309 S 4th St, Columbus, OH 43215

First floor of the historic Mercantile Building at 4th and Noble. Enter on Noble St. Street parking plus two lots across the street on 4th.

German Village

79 Thurman Ave, 2nd Floor, Columbus, OH 43206

At the corner of City Park Ave and Thurman Ave. Free on-site parking. Second floor, no elevator.

Hours

By appointment

Every rental starts with a tour. Send the form and we will find a time.

Prefer email? flat51rental@gmail.com