[1]: 6  In the next few decades, Ohio's government added more employees within the statehouse buildings, with multiple departments outgrowing their spaces there.

In 1929, the city of Columbus donated 2.1 acres (0.85 ha) to the state for the offices, spurring further development of the project.

[1]: 4  During construction, on April 14, 1932, a gas explosion significantly damaged the building, killing 11 people and injuring 50.

[5] Multiple windows were destroyed, along with staircases up to the fifth floor, and the bronze doors on the building's west side were blown off their hinges.

[1]: 6–7  In 1998, the Ohio General Assembly approved renovations to the building which would convert it into the judicial center.

Its reopening ceremony was attended by then-U.S. Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Thomas J. Moyer, and about 170 other judges.

The building was carefully planned on the center of the riverfront, with reflecting pools, lawns terraces, trees, and shrubs situated around it.

[2] The building's Civic Center Drive entrance has three sets of heavy bronze doors, sculpted by Alvin Meyer.

The doors have bronze cast panels depicting elements of early American history, including Ohio's mounds.

The doors are overlaid with large bronze grills silhouetting Native American tribal symbols.

The eleventh floor holds the Law Library, including a reading room and art galleries.

[1]: 5 The building's Visitor Education Center includes exhibits about the history, role and responsibility of the Ohio court system.