WTH? Will this hurt? Will this help?
Location: South side
Remove economic motivations, remove excuses, and ask yourself how far has this strayed from its original design? From an aesthetic point of view: is this compatible or incompatible, good or bad, worthy or unworthy of the fine capital city of Indianapolis? Please bear in mind: the only purpose of this series is to stand for the appropriate renovation and redevelopment of the built environment of Indianapolis. No malice, no hostility, just observation and inquiry.
For those who need help or guidance in how to sympathetically restore or alter historic buildings, Indianapolis is fortunate enough to have the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (IHPC), located in the City-County Building.
An excess of stark white, but it occured to me this morning that we could view vinyl as a protective covering to allow for future restoration.
Apparently this storefront may have had an apartment, like an owner’s apartment, above the store. This type of store with an owner and family in residence was common in the street car period of urban development. This storefront and building, although apparently well maintained, would be much more suitable for continued use or reuse if the clapboard front could be replaced with the original front material and the second floor windows revealed. The character of the building would be greatly enhanced (as would this intersection) if this structure were rehabilitated in this manner.
In some cities…this would be a rehab to accommodate a family to live. Both floors could be utilized with the back area as outdoor space for greenery. From the look of the 2nd floor ….there was probably a full porch above for the residence. It could be done up quite nicely ….