Plans for an Edward Pierre Masterpiece Move Forward

Edward Pierre rendering of a Kroger grocery store circa 1932. Used with permission of Drawings + Documents Archive, Ball State University.

An architectural gem could see its luster restored as plans for a former grocery store located at a historic Meridian-Kessler commercial node continue to gain approval.

Gershman Partners has placed the former Double 8 grocery store on the southeast corner of College Avenue and 46th Street under contract and teamed up with entrepreneur Kimbal Musk to install The Kitchen Next Door Community Pub, one of his farm-to-table concept restaurants.

The long-vacant building was designed by noted Indianapolis architect Edward Pierre for a Kroger grocery store. “What we’re doing is bringing the building back to as much life as possible,” Eric Gershman said recently. “What motivated us to undertake this is the charm and authenticity of the building,” he added. Petitions for variances of development standards and zoning have been filed with the City.

Gershman’s proposal received support from the  Meridian-Kessler Neighborhood Association Land Use Committee at its February 6 meeting and approval from the Metropolitan Development Commission’s Hearing Examiner on February 9. The Metropolitan Development Commission will vote on the proposal March 1. Read the DMD Staff Report outlining details of its support here. [PDF]

Upon successful completion of the City’s permitting process, Gershman said construction could begin as early as May.