State Auto Insurance Leases Smith Bros' Hardware Tower

COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 15, 2007) -- Capitol Equities, a commercial real estate firm based in Columbus, Ohio announces upcoming alterations to the Smith Bros' Hardware building. The rooftop water tower, a defining symbol of downtown Columbus, will soon be changing its appearance.

State Auto Insurance Company, a current tenant of the Smith Bros' Hardware building, has leased rights to display its logo on the tower.  State Auto's signs will be replacing the logo of Capitol Equities, who represents the building ownership in both leasing and property management.

In February the Downtown Commission approved the design for three 10' tall curved panels to be lit by halogen floodlights and white neon perimeter lights, creating a halo effect off the tower surface.

This location provides a creative advertising environment with the water tower being viewed by over 100,000 cars traveling I-670, the downtown loop, daily.

State Auto's spokesman, Win Logan, says "The water tower  is a well-recognized feature on the Columbus skyline, and we’re thrilled to have our name on it.  Of course, we’ve had folks ask if we ‘own’ the building.  No, we’re just contented tenants that know a good view – both ways – when we see it.”

The new State Auto signs are scheduled to be in place and operational in April.

State Auto Insurance

State Auto Insurance is the 48th largest property and casualty insurer in the country. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, State Auto writes business in 27 states from Michigan to Florida and from Utah to Virginia through more than 3,000 independent agencies. 

Capitol Equities Realty
Capitol Equities is a full-service commercial real estate firm based in Columbus, Ohio. Capitol Equities provides skilled tenant representation, brokerage services, property management and development/construction management to a variety of commercial and industrial clients. To learn more, visit the company’s web site at www.capitolequities.com.

Contact:  Stacy Miller
smiller@capitolequities.com or 614-760-5660