The owner of a software company wanted a landmark for his headquarters.

The owner of a software company wanted a landmark for his headquarters.
By DON SHILLING
VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR
BOARDMAN -- As John Jacobs opened his castle-style office building with sword fights and singing jesters, he said he is preparing plans for a similar building next door.
Jacobs, chief executive of Intellitech Corp., staged a festive open house Friday for his building near Western Reserve Road and Interstate 680.
Actors dressed in medieval costumes rode horses, clashed swords, performed Shakespeare and gave guided tours.
"We always wanted to build something unique in the area," Jacobs said. "We see these types of building in other areas, and we said, 'Why not in Youngstown?'"
More than 480 tons of stone quarried in Butler, Pa., were used to build the exterior walls. Willard Van Pelt, owner of WVP Building Contractors in Columbiana, said he cut the large stones by hand to get the sizes needed.
The medieval theme -- complete with stone, tile and Old World faux finishes on the walls -- is used in the halls and in executive offices in the castle turrets. Much of the interior has a modern office design, however.
Jacobs' wife, Cathryn, designed the interior.
"We wanted a landmark," Jacobs said.
Gave ideas to architect
Jacobs, who declined to say how much he spent on the 20,000-square-foot building, was the general contractor.
He paged through home books to get the look he wanted, taking a little bit from several designs. He pasted together what he wanted and asked an architect to draw up the plans. Ron Gray Construction and Scott Grimm Construction put it together.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives soon will move into most of the first floor, and Jacobs thinks he has another tenant for the last remaining space. The other tenants are Prodigal Media Co. and HomeBase Lending.
Jacobs said he intends to start construction on a second castle-style building late this year or early next year. A company he formed, Sunni Investments, which is named after his daughter, Jenna Sunni, bought the property that sits at the foot of The Forest housing development.
About Intellitech
Intellitech, which was started in 1997, provides jail management software and handles collections for more than 40 counties in six states. The software helps counties charge inmates for jail stays. Ohio law allows counties to charge inmates $85 a day, but most charge $50 a day, Jacobs said.
Jacobs said the company's growth had been held back by a lack of space, but now that has been resolved. Intellitech moved into the new offices last October.
The company employs 20 in Boardman and has a few workers in both Columbus and Toledo. Jacobs said he expects to add 15 to 20 workers in the next 18 months.
shilling@vindy.com