The Historic Opera Block

10/25/2026

THE CURTAIN IS RISING ON SOMETHING SPECIAL IN DOWNTOWN BELLEFONTAINE!

Built in 1880, the Historic Opera Block once welcomed some of the biggest entertainers of its time. Now, nearly 150 years later, this beautiful landmark is preparing to welcome a new generation of residents!

Small Nation is excited to announce that renovations are underway on four beautifully designed, fully furnished loft apartments overlooking the heart of Downtown Bellefontaine.

And we’re giving each one a name inspired by the building’s theatrical past!

Meet our four headliners:

The Houdini – Approximately 1,270 SF featuring a bedroom, private office, den, and spacious living area.

The Sousa – Approximately 1,150 SF with a bedroom, dedicated office, and open living space.

The Russell – Approximately 550 SF of thoughtfully designed studio living.

The Foy – Approximately 530 SF offering an efficient, stylish studio layout.

Each apartment will feature beautiful historic windows, thoughtfully selected furnishings, modern kitchens, and distinctive design details that celebrate the building’s character.

But there’s more!

Residents will also enjoy:

* Elevator access to the second floor
* Dedicated parking in the private rear courtyard
* Secure, controlled building access
* Shared laundry facilities
* Beautifully designed common areas
* Walkable access to downtown restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and entertainment

The best part? Everything is furnished and ready for you to make yourself at home.

We’re preserving the history, investing in the details, and creating another unique opportunity to experience downtown living.

Want to be among the first to see these apartments?

Contact Keyne Strickland at Small Nation to learn more or schedule a tour.

[email protected]
937-565-9944

Available in Spring, 2027.

The Historic Opera Block | 129–137 S. Main Street | Downtown Bellefontaine, Ohio

Before it was home, it was a stage. Now it’s time for the next act!

10/21/2026

New loft apartment renovations are underway at the Historic Opera Block. Plumbing and electrical is nearly complete and drywall is up next. Light fixtures have arrived and appliances are on order..

10/11/2026

Progress on a new tenant space coming soon to 133-135 S. Main. New restrooms, kitchen prep space and bar plumbing completed.

10/11/2026

Wishing everyone a great start of the fall season!

09/29/2026

Enjoy a walk on The Oldest Concrete Street in America, meet Bigfoot and stop in and enjoy a great cup of coffee or a sweet treat on Court Street.

09/15/2026

Where Old Meets New. Coordinating construction details takes a team effort!

From determining the best locations for HVAC ductwork to coordinating plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, every decision matters — especially when you’re working inside a beautiful historic building.

Our team meets weekly to review progress, solve challenges and make sure the modern systems we need today work alongside the historic details we want to preserve and highlight.

It takes a lot of coordination behind the scenes, but it’s exciting to see everything coming together. Thankful for the progress, the talented team around the table and the exciting things ahead for this beautiful building!

08/29/2026

It’s so much fun meeting with visitors and tourists to Downtown Bellefontaine.

08/16/2026

This was an important week as the construction and design team met onsite to review locations for electric outlets and also worked to coordinate HVAC and plumbing details too. The project is on-schedule to be completed in Feb, 2027.

07/29/2026

The new elevator that will be installed and service all 3 floors of the The Historic Opera Block arrived this week!

07/21/2026

We are proud to celebrate the Oldest Concrete Street in America as we also celebrate America250.

The First Concrete Street In America: Court Avenue (1893)! 🇺🇸

As NRMCA proudly joins the American Concrete Pavement Association in celebrating and the 70th Anniversary of the U.S. Interstate System, we’re also looking back at a historic concrete milestone: the first concrete street in America – still in service today!

Court Avenue in Bellefontaine, OH was originally a dirt road that was dusty when dry and quickly turned to mud when wet. Inventor and entrepreneur George Bartholomew had the idea to create what he called an "artificial stone" for paving. In 1891, Bartholomew approached the Bellefontaine City Council with the concept and was given permission to pave a few square feet of Main Street as a test. Though many feared the pavement would quickly be damaged or destroyed, the concrete performed far beyond expectations.

By 1893, after watching the pavement for two years, City Council agreed to allow Bartholomew to pave the streets surrounding the Logan County Courthouse in downtown Bellefontaine. Still a bit skeptical, the council required Bartholomew to donate the cement and to secure a $5,000 bond to ensure that the pavement would last five years. The placing of the concrete was done under the direction of Logan County Engineer, James Wonders.

Bartholomew’s concrete was and and saw little damage for the first several decades. In fact, total maintenance over the first fifty years cost only $1,400!

Bartholomew was honored for his invention at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, IL. His award was titled, "First Place for Engineering Technology Advancement in Paving Materials."

Court Avenue remains in place, intact, and in service even today. On February 25, 1974, the street was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, it was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1976.

Court Avenue is a testament to the strength, durability, and resilience of concrete pavement and stands as a shining example of concrete as the Foundation of Our Nation. 🇺🇸