The Efroymson House (Indianapolis, Indiana)

 residence, place with historical importance, 1905_construction

Built around 1905 by well-known Indianapolis department store owner Gustave Efroymson, the Efroymson House is one of the most architecturally prominent homes in the Herron-Morton Place neighborhood. The house, a massive beige brick structure, was built in the Arts and Crafts style with a matching carriage house. The Herron-Morton Place neighborhood, just north of downtown, began developing in the 1870s. By the turn of the twentieth century, it had become one of the city’s most elegant and affluent neighborhoods.

By mid-century, the neighborhood began to deteriorate as long-time residents had moved north to newer suburban areas, and the Efroymson House was converted into apartments. By the 1980s the property had suffered significant structural defects and was in danger of demolition, leaving yet another vacant lot in the neighborhood. Now, after more than a decade of sitting unoccupied, the property’s combined deferred maintenance and defects had surpassed its economic viability in the local real estate market.

Grant funds of $35,000 were used by Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, Inc. to save the Efroymson House, leveraged with Federal and state historic tax credits providing for four apartments in the main house and one apartment in the carriage house.