At 11:30 a.m. (CDT) on Aug. 5, Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, Michael Martin of Architectural Renovators and Indiana Landmarks President Marsh Davis will participate in a ribbon cutting at the Owen Block. The public is invited to tour the local landmark during a block party from 5 – 7 p.m.

The 1882 structure was slated for demolition in 2015, but Indiana Landmarks led a fundraising campaign, aided by a significant contribution from the city of Evansville and a clever local social media campaign, to rescue the rare Second-Empire style rowhouse.

In March 2015, Indiana Landmarks purchased the building, convinced the Evansville Building Commission to rescind its demolition order, and sold the structure to Architectural Renovators. The city of Evansville supplied $50,000 in Urban Development Action Grant funds for stabilization and an equal amount for infrastructure improvements, replacing curbs and sidewalks around the property.

The $1.25 million restoration transformed the Owen Block into 15 one-bedroom apartments with modern features, such as granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. The apartments rent for $800-900 per month.

Two of the apartments and the workout room will be open for visitors during the block party from 5 -7 p.m. on August 5, with The Pizza Revolution double-decker bus and jazz by After Hours adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Located at S.E. Second and Chestnut streets in the Riverside Historic District, the nineteenth-century row house had been in Indiana Landmarks’ sights for a few years. Its style is rare, and its location on the edge of the historic district makes it an important structure to save.

“Indiana Landmarks’ mission is saving special places, and the Owen Block certainly fits that description,” said Davis. “And who says Victorian is out of style? People of all ages and walks of life love this building. Contributors made donations, several in large amounts, so that Indiana Landmarks could rescue the Owen Block for the Riverside neighborhood and the city,” he notes.

“So many forces converged to make the save possible—the city, Indiana Landmarks board and especially our local board members Christine Keck, Kristen Tucker, Gene Warren, and Randy Shepard (a local in absentia), generous donors, neighbors, and Jesika Ellis and the army who participated in the Blockheads social media campaign,” Davis adds.

“The mansard roof, the slated turrets, the enormous windows, the corbelled chimneys—they pulled at our heartstrings knowing that it would be such a loss to Evansville if this building was simply demolished,” says Mike Martin of Architectural Renovators, the contractor and owner/developer of the Owen Block.

“We already have deposits on 11 of the 15 units, before the project is complete and before any advertising. This is proof that people are seeking this kind of living environment here in Evansville, and it shows that the architectural fabric of downtown Evansville is important and worthy of investment. We have real momentum in Evansville right now, and it’s so exciting to be a part of it!” Martin adds.

Indiana Landmarks, a 56-year-old nonprofit, maintains a headquarters in Indianapolis and nine regional and field offices, including one in Evansville.

WHAT:  Owen Block reopening

WHEN:  Aug. 5

Ribbon-cutting ceremony, 11:30 a.m.-noon with remarks by Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, Indiana Landmarks President Marsh Davis, and owner/developer Michael Martin of Architectural Renovators Owen Block Block Party, 5 to 7 p.m. – tours of two apartments and workout room, food truck, music

WHERE: Owen Block, 121-127 Chestnut Street (corner of S.E. Second and Chestnut streets), Evansville

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Media contacts: Tina Connor, Exec. Vice President, Indiana Landmarks, 317-822-7903/cell 317-946-3127 tconnor@indianalandmarks.org Stewart Sebree, Southwest Field Office Director, Indiana Landmarks, ssebree@indianalandmarks.org Stephanie Richard, Architectural Renovators, 812.422.2215 stephanie@architecturalreno.com Ella Johnson-Watson, Director of Communications, Office of Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, 812.436.4965, ejohnsonwatson@evansville.in.gov