If you’ve spotted the massive concrete pillars that have risen west of Downtown Columbus this summer, and wondered to yourself what exactly those things are supposed to be, you’re not alone. Dozens of CU readers have emailed, tweeted and facebooked us over the past few months asking what exactly was rising high above this particular section of Franklinton.
Of course, we responded by directing curious readers to our coverage of the development of the new Orange Barrel Media headquarters, which will include 30,000 square feet of office space seated below the 150 foot structure that will support solar panels in the back and one of the largest wallscape displays in the world in the front.
“We have a pretty good knowledge of what’s all around the country and around the world, and we think it’s the world’s largest wallscape at 9,000 square feet,” said Orange Barrel CEO Pete Scantland. “At 120 feet tall by 75 feet wide, we haven’t found one larger.”
If not the largest wallscape, then certainly Orange Barrel will be nabbing the record for the world’s largest Picasso prints. The first two murals to be hung on the structure went up this afternoon, featuring two famous Picassco works as part of a media campaign promoting the new Transfigurations: Modern Masters from the Wexner Family Collection exhibition that opened at The Wexner Center for the Art on Sunday.
“We at the Wex are delighted to once again partner with Orange Barrel, having been the first of their cultural clients in Columbus several years ago,” shared Sherri Gelden, Director of the Wexner Center. “The opportunity to collaborate on their largest wallscape ever in order to mount an unprecedented awareness campaign surrounding an unprecedented exhibition — all while celebrating the launch of their new headquarters — is beyond thrilling.”
The location of Orange Barrel’s ad-displaying headquarters was chosen due to its visibility from Interstate 670 and State Route 315, but the new tower can actually be seen from much further away, making it all the more valuable for future advertising revenue for the company.
“It’s amazing where all you can see it from… there are vantage points that we never thought we’d get, so it’s kind of cool when we realize that you can see it from Goodale,” said Scantland. “There’s nothing else that tall around here.”
Construction is expected to continue on the company’s new offices over the next few months. Scantland said that the floors are in place with glass being installed in the next month. He expects his employees to be moving into the new building sometime in December.
For more information visit www.orangebarrelmedia.com and www.wexarts.org/exhibitions.
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