Broad Street Developers, an Indianapolis-based holding company, purchased the historic Meridian Street home from Indiana Landmarks in October for use as the home office of R&B Architects. The preservation group had received the house in 2010 as a gift from the Walther Cancer Foundation, which sought long-term protection for its former headquarters. “Inside, we installed a new heating and cooling system, removed carpeting, and refinished the hardwood floors,” says Mark Dollase, Indiana Landmarks vice president of preservation services. A non-historic addition was removed and environmental remediation was undertaken prior to the sale, he said. Because of the building’s historic Tudor Revival-style architecture, Indiana Landmarks attached a covenant to the deed that gives the preservation organization approval rights for any proposed exterior changes. Because the first-floor interior remains in largely original condition, the covenant also covers some interior features. Brent Mather, principal at R&B Architects, said the firm plans to use the richly detailed main level for receptions, conference rooms, and a gallery, putting its offices on the second floor. “We’ll re-create the sunken garden on the north side of the house and design a plaza that can be tented for rental events this summer,” he said. The restoration is expected to take 18 months to complete.
Photo courtesy of Indiana Landmarks
