405 Broadway Goetchius House

The Story Continues . . .

Every once in a while someone comes into your life and completely changes your heart.

When Renata Martoni and Matthew Lapides came to Columbus for their son’s military graduation years ago, they fell in love with the small but mighty city – so much so that they decided to make it their forever home.. And we are so grateful for it.

It’s because of their love, an abundance of community support, and some amazing neighbors, that the iconic Goetchius House is now set to embark on a new chapter.

Originally built by Richard Rose Goetchius in 1839 for his bride Mary Anne Bennett at its original location on the corner of Second Avenue and 11th Street (204 11th Street), the house has witnessed numerous significant events over the years. From serving as a gathering place for social and political discussions to surviving the ravages of the Civil War, the Goetchius House has been an important site for many Columbus residents.

For many recent years, folks walked by the Goetchius House and thought, “What a shame,” as she sat vacant in the historic district at 405 Broadway, old memories of music and laughter shut tight behind the closed doors.

Now under Renata and Matthew’s stewardship, the Goetchius House is set to become a hub of entertainment and culinary delights again. The space will feature the Sunny Cafe, where patrons can indulge in delectable pastries and sip on expertly brewed coffee or a craft espresso – perfect for a leisurely morning or an afternoon pick-me-up. It will also house a fine dining restaurant named Terre e Mare Sapori, which means Taste of Land and Sea, while downstairs there will be a casual family dining restaurant called Studio 405. Both promise to serve up an array of exquisite dishes celebrating local flavors and global inspirations.

To complement the vibrant atmosphere, a full bar named Bardot will be available, offering a variety of libations to suit every taste along with its own tapas menu. Live music by talented artists, both local and visiting, will add a symphony of sounds to the ambiance.

Local chefs Uriah Harris, who formerly worked at Buckhead Steak & Wine, and Noor Harp, who has owned her own catering business, have been brought in to create “colorful, beautiful, healthy, delicious food,” Renata says. It was important to Renata and Matthew that they find local talent with a passion for food, and that they could let the chefs explore their creativity through their culinary art with guests, as an expression of themselves.

True to its heritage, the Goetchius House will also house a homemade scoop-and-serve ice cream parlor serving none other than Leopold’s Ice Cream, delighting visitors with tantalizing flavors and cool treats from the famous Savannah ice cream shop.

But it doesn’t stop there. At this reimagined space, guests can immerse themselves in rotating experiences, from art workshops to curated cultural events and more. The hospitality team at the Goetchius House will also continue to host private events such as weddings, parties, charity events, and more. With a courtyard, patio, and garden the options are limitless.

As we sat and talked about it all, the couple remembered walking down Broadway in awe, asking themselves, “Why don’t we live here?” Enchanted by the music, culture, slower pace of life, and richly historic antebellum properties, they found themselves drawn to Columbus, and long after they returned home to Miami, the city stayed on their minds.

Renata remembers the events leading up to her discovery of the Goetchius House. She had been reading Tarot cards with a friend, and kept seeing a ‘healing house’ and dogs in her future. After she and Matthew fell in love with Columbus, Renata was looking at properties when she came across the Goetchius House and saw the dog statues around it. She knew the synchronicities were signs that couldn’t be ignored.

The vacancy, the age, and the issues that had sent other potential buyers running didn’t matter. She knew Goetchius House was fate. “She has a super power – to visualize something complete, in the present,” Matthew explains. Renata recalls looking in the vacant house, and seeing, “Furniture, wallcoverings, color palettes, people dancing, eating, sitting, listening to music, laughing – the whole flow.”

With almost 10,000 square feet and 14-foot ceilings, the nearly 200 year old built structure needed a lot of work. And as a historic site, the work had to be done according to specific requirements. “We knew what to do,” Matthew explains, “We have seen far worse, but the scale of this house was intimidating and exciting.”

“Nothing scared us,” Renata laughs.

The two decided to jump in with both feet, leaning on each other’s strengths to get the work done. Their vision was to revitalize the place, revive long-forgotten stories, and create something new. Restoration was needed both inside and out. The house got a new roof, as well as plaster work, plumbing, air conditioning, and electricity. “It’s a massive, cavernous space,” Matthew says. Rotten and crumbling wood had to be restored, but it was important to Matthew and Renata to make sure all the work was done right. Some of the planks for the historic wood floor needed to be replaced, and Matthew worked with a reclaiming company in Alabama to match the exact planks sourced from old mills in the early 1800’s. “You don’t just buy them off of a shelf at a store,” he explains. Painting the entire house inside and out was in itself a colossal process.

Matthew and Renata have now painstakingly restored the house, making sure to bring everything up to code while honoring its historical value and keeping with its original design as much as possible. “The thing about a historical home is that it isn’t supposed to be perfect,” Matthew says. “All of the imperfections give it character, and it allows guests to accept something that is both beautiful and imperfect. Ironically, that makes it a perfect old house.”

Stunning, expansive, and welcoming, the Goetchius House will soon open to the public, and Matthew and Renata hope that it will provide a space for guests to enjoy no matter what type of setting they’re looking for, whether casual or upscale. The entire space and all restaurants are taken care of by Matthew and Renata, creating a continuity of flow and a cohesive experience.

“Everyone seems to have a connection to the house, a positive memory,” Matthew says. “We are now part of that connection and we’re here to take care of the property as stewards for Columbus. We hope to offer people a place to once again relish in memories of days bygone and create new stories and memories.”

Music, laughter, the wafting scents of delicious food once emanated from the Goetchius House.

Now, its doors will once again. Matthew and Renata’s vision and work focus on breathing new life into the house for Columbus and beyond. They are passionate about giving us all the opportunity to once again laugh, dance, eat, and connect in this space that remains integral to our city. Half a century of nostalgic moments and memories speak from every corner of the Goetchius House, and the two new stewards hope their efforts in the path forward will be at least as memorable when we all look back.

“This is the next act,” Matthew says. “Let the stories continue.”

By Natalie Downey