Once the cultural and commercial heart of Columbus for African Americans, the restoration of the King-Lincoln Theatre helped to shape and develop its rebirth. King-Lincoln still echoes with the joyous sounds of the storied musicians who played its clubs and theaters and the din of bustling streets lined with thriving businesses.
Originally known as Bronzeville by the residents of the community, it was renamed the King-Lincoln District by Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s administration to highlight the historical significance of the district’s King Arts Complex and Lincoln Theatre.
The King-Lincoln neighborhood is bound by Broad Street to the South, 20th Street to the East, Atcheson Street to the North, and I-71 to the West. It is a neighborhood within the Near East side and is surrounded by downtown Columbus, Old Towne East, and the Mount Vernon neighborhood.
There are a variety of hidden gems and things to do in the King-Lincoln District, from delicious restaurants to jazz clubs, museums, and theaters.
Of course, at the heart of the District is the Lincoln Theatre where you can catch a performance and the King Arts Complex where you can celebrate culture and creativity through the lens of African American Art and Artists. In 2018, the Columbus Metropolitan Library opened its Martin Luther King branch in the District on Long Street, a representation of the community’s commitment to education and equal opportunity.
The Beatty Park Community Center offers something for everyone, with spaces to play, an art room to create in, fitness and boxing, and programming for the whole family throughout the year. Community is truly at the heart of everything in the King-Lincoln District, where even the restaurants serve as a catalyst to improvement.
If the amazing buttermilk Belgian waffles aren’t enough to draw you to What the Waffle, how about the fact that it also provides work readiness skills and employment to females who have aged out of foster care to ensure they have the skills and access to resources to reach their full potential in life.
Similarly, at Creole Kitchen, founder Henry Butcher and his family team are committed to improving the community and making Columbus and central Ohio a better place to work and live through their charitable efforts. But, of course, their food and the overall experience at Creole Kitchen is amazing too! From live jazz shows to hearty jambalaya, spicy crawfish etouffee, and po’boys with all the fixin’s, it is an authentic Big Easy experience.
If you are looking for a true expression of the King-Lincoln District, look no further than The Lincoln Cafe. It is a cozy restaurant and coffee shop serving delicious soul food that doubles as an event venue hosting live music and open mic nights. They also host local goods pop up shops, and capture the true meaning of being a community partner.
In addition to all of the amazing features within the King-Lincoln District itself, its proximity to downtown Columbus is a major perk, too. The area is close to Columbus State Community College, the Columbus Museum of Art, and Franklin Park Conservatory, to name just a few benefits of being close to the city’s urban core.
And now you can live In the heart of the King-Lincoln District at the Adelphi Quarter, located at 820 E. Long Street, which offers a one-of-a-kind living experience. Offering pet-friendly, spacious downtown living with studio, one-bedroom, and two bedrooms in a variety of floor plans, the Adelphi has something for everyone.
The newest property by Borror includes boutique apartments, including flats, townhomes, garden units, and lofts, along with retail spaces and ample on-site parking. Each home features beautiful, high-end kitchens with efficient appliances, large closets, and in-unit laundry. The Adelphi will also have a public plaza for hosting local community events and resident hangouts.
Ready to see it for yourself? Learn more about Adelphi Quarter in the vibrant King-Lincoln District, and Apply Today!