AEP Building
| Company type | Public utility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric power |
| Founded | 1906 |
| Headquarters | Columbus, Ohio , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Electric power |
Number of employees | 1,500 (moved from New York City in 1983) |
The AEP Building is a high-rise located in Downtown Columbus, Ohio, finalized in 1983 and comprising 31 stories. Created by the architectural firm Abramovitz, Harris & Kingsland in a modernist architectural approach, it stands as the eighth tallest structure within Columbus. Since 1983, following its transition from New York City, it has functioned as the main office for American Electric Power (AEP).
History
In 1979, American Electric Power (AEP) declared its decision to transfer its headquarters from New York City to Columbus, Ohio, subsequent to its 1968 acquisition of Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric Co (C&SOE). To support the move of 1,500 employees from New York, AEP introduced benefits such as three years of stabilized rent, interest-free loans for home purchases, financial assistance for vehicle expenses, and coverage for travel costs.
By July 1980, AEP announced intentions to construct a 32-story headquarters on a 5.3-acre plot situated downtown between Spring and Long Streets. The design, led by Abramovitz, Harris & Kingsland, drew inspiration from the nearby One Nationwide Plaza and was set amidst landscaped park areas. The building’s octagonal shape was chosen to improve energy efficiency and it operates entirely on electricity.
Prominently displayed at the building’s entrance are two turbine rotor sculptures crafted by George Greenamyer, which were retrieved from Ohio’s former Philo Power Plant and Indiana’s Twin Branch Power Plant. These installations pay tribute to advancements in electric power technology.