Our Historic Building
The Hammond Block Building: A Short History
One of the most important structures in the Massachusetts Avenue Historic District is the Hammond Block Building. This Italianate style flatiron building was erected in 1874 by Rezin R. Hammond. At the time of construction, the three-hundred block of Massachusetts Avenue was developing as a new shopping district in Indianapolis.
During its 130-year history, the building has been home to a wide range of individuals and companies. In 1875, physician and surgeon, J. Swigart, bought the building and used it as both his office and residence. By 1886 John Whitson's saloon occupied the building; the next year the property became Lee Quaon's Laundry. From 1887 to 1891 the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons used the upper floors.
The history of the building is vague from 1891 until 1945 when it became the Budnick Building. Then, Beverly Goldstein bought it for her husband, Joe Budnick, to open a liquor store. After this plan failed, he started selling fishing supplies instead. Budnick's fishing supply store became an Indianapolis institution, the city's equivalent to L.L. Bean.
In 1979 Henry Price, senior member of Price Waicukauski & Riley, LLC, saved the Budnick Building from demolition. An extensive renovation followed under direction of Schmidt-Claffey Architects. Besides reinstalling the original name onto a new identifying parapet tablet, the exterior was restored as authentically as possible. The end result was a success. The renovation was recognized as an "Outstanding Contribution to the Beautification of Downtown Indianapolis" by the Commission for Downtown, Inc. and in 1981 won the Merit Award of the Indianapolis Chapter, American Institute of Architects. Since 1985, the law firms led by Henry Price have occupied the completely restored and renovated Hammond Block Building.
The Price Hammond Block renovation led to the renaissance of Massachusetts Avenue as a business, and restaurant district and demonstrated to many Indianapolis citizens the possibilities of historic preservation.
Price Waicukauski & Riley, LLC
Class Action and Trial Attorneys
The Hammond Block Building
301 Massachusetts Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-633-8787
Fax: 317-633-8797
