Historic Chadwick building coming down after fire

January 25, 2011
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The Chadwick IndianapolisWorkers are preparing to tear down what's left of a vacant historic downtown apartment building after a two-alarm fire this morning. The Chadwick, built in 1925 during an apartment building boom spurred by the city's burgeoning automotive and railroad industries, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. But the building had become a neighborhood eyesore covered with graffiti. Firefighters battled at least two fires in the last 10 years before the one that ultimately claimed the building at the northeast corner of Pennsylvania and 10th streets, said IFD spokeswoman Rita Burris. Property records show the owner since 1997 has been Chadwick Partners Inc. of Noblesville. The 31,000-square-foot building had been listed for sale as a "great redevelopment opportunity" at an asking price of $500,000. Firefighters valued the loss at $750,000. The crane to demolish the building is on the way from Anderson, which means streets around the structure likely will be closed all day, Burris said.

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  • Eyesore Gone
    rwhJanuary 25, 2011 12:31 PM
    It might be a good thing that this building was destroyed by fire. This property has been an eyesore for years. I am usually one who supports building renovation but this has been empty for years withour any maintenance. Hopefully this will open up an opportunity for a new building on the highly visible site.
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  • Where Is It?
    JoelJanuary 25, 2011 1:17 PM
    Where is the building? What's the address?
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  • Location
    CoryJanuary 25, 2011 1:21 PM
    Thanks, Joel. Added the intersection to the post. It's at 1005 N. Pennsylvania St.
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  • Agree
    jimJanuary 25, 2011 2:11 PM
    I'm in agreement with rwh. I'm glad to see the building gone. I live in the area and it's been an eyesore for a long time. It was quite a spectacular blaze last night - flames shooting high into the night sky.
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  • Lived there
    Mike C.January 25, 2011 2:57 PM
    I lived there in 1993-94. They were all studio apartments. $250 per month w/ heat and electric included. The place was full of cockroaches. I remembered that the owner lived in Aspen, CO.
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  • IndymanJanuary 25, 2011 2:59 PM
    Hopefully the City will work with the owner or future owner to build a good anchor for that corner. The area is developing and that is an important anchor corner. Glad it did not burn the historic strip to the north.
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  • It was a nice looking building
    MDBJanuary 25, 2011 3:02 PM
    I wonder how many other people have already looked up this corporation on the Secretary of State's website, and then Googled the name of the real owner. There appears to be lots of real estate drama with this landlord. But hey, good for him and his new windfall, right?
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    • This?
      stellarJanuary 25, 2011 3:36 PM
      James Chalfant?

      http://www.indy.com/posts/couple-buy-neighbor-s-home-at-tax-sale-so-he-can-stay
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    • Convenient
      crepuscularJanuary 25, 2011 6:40 PM
      It is suspicious when a vacant building burns down that 1. has no tenants 2. no electrical wiring and 3. the owner has lost multiple other properties in the Sheriff Sale. In addition, how can a vacant building listed at $500,000 be valued at $750,000?
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    • another one gone...
      JoeJanuary 26, 2011 9:58 AM
      I realize this building was in disrepair, but architecture and detail like this building had will most likely not be reproduced. I hope an effort can be made to return the scale of the building to that corner. My fear is that a new building will go in with standard architecture and increased setbacks devalueing the urban form.
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    • Good sign
      Innocent BystanderJanuary 26, 2011 3:56 PM
      I drive Penn every day on my way to work downtown, but had avoided the area during the clean-up until today. I smiled when I saw the sign in the window of Jarrett Engineering building to the north: "Thanks, IFD." It was always sad to see what obviously used to be a lovely building aeons ago stand vacant. Hopefully the corner will be developed...
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    • Cory?
      JJanuary 28, 2011 9:00 PM
      Hey Cory - What's up?
      No story on Williams Sonoma Home Store closing or International Furniture Imports closing??? Also, what's going on at the nw corner of 54th & College????
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    • The Chadwick
      LoriJune 15, 2011 2:30 PM
      I lived there for many years from around 1984 to 1988 - rent was $175 a month all utilities paid - we had Murphy beds that came out of a huge closet - and claw foot bath tubs - C.A. Elmore was the property manager - I have lots of great memories of that place - front row seat at parades. None of us drove cars - we carried our bicycles up and down the stairs. I hated to see that it was torn down - it had a lot of character, and housed a lot of characters over the years!
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