The Barr Apartments

The Barr Hotel is a historic hotel on the eastern side of downtown Lima, Ohio. Built in 1914, the Neoclassical hotel occupies the northeastern corner of the intersection of High and Union Streets. Advertising for the hotel when opening in 1914 included:

“New, fireproof, seven story building. European $1.50 per day. 100 outside  rooms. Telephone and electric fan service. Toilet, lavatory shower or tub bath in each room. Perfect ventilation to the top of building. European restaurant in connection. John P. Scallan, Manager”

The primary portion of the hotel is a brick building, seven stories tall; it rests on a concrete foundation and is covered by a flat roof. Next to this portion is a connected building, four stories high and also built of brick. Large sash windows and Ionic-capped pilasters are among the most distinctive elements of the primary portion of the hotel.

During the early twentieth century, Lima experienced rapid growth as a result of its place as a hub for Standard Oil and as the home of the Lima Locomotive Works. Many large buildings were erected in the city's downtown. The Barr Hotel is a typical building of this period.

In 1986, the Barr Hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its significance in overall American history. As a little-altered example of Lima's golden years, the hotel was significant partially because of the unusually frequent destruction of historic buildings in Lima since the early twentieth century.

In 1994 the building was totally renovated and converted from a hotel to an apartment building.  All new electric, plumbing, HVAC, cabinetry etc. were installed. The 69 apartments consist of studio, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments.  Many of the apartments include large windows that allow abundent sunlight in and great views of downtown Lima.

In the Spring of 2010, the building was purchased by Mike and Barb O'Connor. Since this time, the O'Connor's have lead the updating of the apartments to include the modern conveniences of high speed internet, digital telephone service, secured entrance access and monitoring, and laundry facilities.  New painting, flooring and repairs have also taken place.

Today, the apartments are occupied by adults working in downtown, college students attending local universities and others wanting a nice, clean and convenient apartment near the heart of downtown Lima.    Please take a moment to view the gallery of pictures and the listing of available apartments. Thank you.

Mike and Barb O'Connor
O'Connor Investment Properties, LLC.