Hulman Building and Garage
20 Northwest 4th Street, 109-111 Northwest 3rd Street, Evansville
Tall Order
Since its construction in 1929, a 10-story commercial building on Fourth Street has dominated Evansville’s downtown skyline. Commonly known as the Hulman Building after the company that acquired the site in the 1930s, the building exemplifies the Art Deco style as applied to a city skyscraper.
The anchor landmark has been largely vacant and neglected for years, with water leaking in through the roof and windows. In spring 2022, an out-of-state buyer purchased the Hulman Building and neighboring 1927 garage in an online auction, relisting the properties for sale as separate parcels. Splitting up the properties and access to sufficient parking for the Hulman Building makes it less desirable for re-development, further jeopardizing the building’s future.
An interested developer emerged in 2022, but plans for the building fell through. Today the Hulman Building remains on the market.
Without a reuse plan for the property, its high-style period lobby is at risk of being stripped and sold. The Hulman Building is an anchor landmark in an area of downtown that has lost several buildings. The Art Deco standout needs a preservation-minded developer with a vision for making its rare architectural features shine once again.
Taylor Burden
Director
Indiana Landmarks Southwest Field Office
270-313-2070
tburden@indianalandmarks.org
Saving threatened buildings takes teamwork. You can be a part of that team. Reach out to local leaders. Let them know these buildings are important to you. And support state and local preservation groups.