06/19/2026
We were honored to be featured by Heritage Ohio as an example of what thoughtful reinvestment in a historic building can look like.
The DeFord didn't just get a renovation — it got a purpose. And that purpose is welcoming people into the heart of downtown Ottawa.
Whether you're here for a wedding, a family visit, or just passing through and deciding to stay a while, we're glad you found us. Steps from local shops, restaurants, and everything the Main Street district has to offer.
The Deford in downtown Ottawa is a shining example of how historic buildings can find new life through thoughtful reinvestment. Once an underutilized structure that many people passed by without entering, the building has been transformed into a boutique hotel that now welcomes visitors directly into the heart of the community. Supported through the JobsOhio Vibrant Communities Program and broader downtown revitalization efforts, the project preserved the building's character while giving it a purpose that serves Ottawa today.
Now, guests can stay steps away from local shops, restaurants, events, and gathering places, experiencing downtown Ottawa not as visitors passing through, but as participants in the community itself. The Deford has become a gateway to the Main Street district, generating new activity for local businesses and creating a welcoming place for wedding guests, returning family members, tourists, and travelers.
As a Celebrated 250 building, The Deford demonstrates the power of adaptive reuse and the importance of finding the right purpose for historic places. Its transformation has not only preserved a historic building but has strengthened downtown Ottawa by creating new opportunities for connection, economic activity, and community pride. What was once a building people simply noticed is now a place people experience and remember.
Do you have a building in your community that has a special place in your community's story? We would love to hear it. www.heritageohio.org/250-buildings-250-stories/
