We renovate and lease historic buildings in downtown Ely, creating spaces for the entrepreneurs, restaurants, artists and professionals who make a small town thrive.
John and Vicki Ott found their approach to redevelopment in the mid-1980s, when they bought the ten-room Schoolhouse in Rocheport and transformed it into a bed and breakfast. Saving that building inspired a historic preservation angle that has guided their work ever since. They owned and operated the B&B for several years while restoring other Rocheport landmarks, including the post office and Mount Nebo Church.
In 2004 they made a commitment to downtown Columbia, beginning their first historic preservation project there. In 2010 the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission named them its first-ever Outstanding Local Historic Preservationists. It became a true family business in 2014, when their son Tanner joined the team. In Ely, our work includes the historic State Theater, the James Building and Fisherman’s Headquarters, home of the Ely Folk School. Over the last twenty-some years, they’ve kept at it one building at a time, bringing new life to the historic buildings that give downtown its character.
Tanner Ott was honored by Rethos: Places Reimagined, Minnesota’s statewide preservation nonprofit, at its 2019 Icon Awards.
The President’s Award is in recognition of a person who recognizes the necessity and role of building reuse in terms of culture, legacy, and job creation. This year’s awardee is someone who recognizes that repositioning buildings in communities is all about people and possibilities in towns all over Minnesota.
Rethos, Places Reimagined, Issue 4, 2019
Lake and Company, the award-winning, woman-owned independent magazine dedicated to celebrating lake culture across the nation.
“Success to me looks like a building full of happy people.”
One of the magazine’s Forty-Five Stories Unfolded from the 45th Parallel, on growing a creative community of artists, entrepreneurs and restaurants that makes downtown Ely a destination.
The tales behind seven downtown Ely buildings and what turned up while restoring them, from the James Drug ghost sign to the bedrock in the Salerno Building’s basement.
Read the Article (PDF)A profile of the four downtown revitalizations Tanner has led, including the 1901 City Hall building.
Read the article CoMo Preservation · May 2025Columbia’s first city hall earns a Preserve Missouri Award for its extensive rehabilitation.
Read the article Star Tribune · Sept. 2019Ely’s 1936 State Theater, closed since 2008, is restored as a cinema and performing arts venue.
Read the article COMO Magazine · Aug. 2018From a 20-year broadcasting career to redeveloping historic downtown properties with Vicki.
Read the article Columbia Missourian · Jan. 2013How historic preservation tax credits help bring downtown buildings back while keeping their character.
Read the article COMO Magazine · Mar. 2011The 1924 Berry Building, a former grocery warehouse turned lofts, shops and offices, wins a Preserve Missouri Award.
Read the article Columbia Missourian · Feb. 2010John and Vicki are named Columbia’s first-ever Outstanding Local Historic Preservationists.
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