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Historic south-side landmark revived, opening for tours

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The south side Turnverein, built in 1900, is back in use after a major makeover.

Now it will be featured during Indiana Landmarks’ latest Landmark Look tour on March 2.

The building was formerly put on the Indiana Landmarks’ 10 Most Endangered list.

The red brick building, which today sits in the shadow of Eli Lilly and Company’s headquarters and can be seen from I-70, started out as a German social club and gym.

After many years in disrepair, the building was renovated and last fall reopened as headquarters for Point Comfort Underwriters, a medical claims management organization and international travel insurance company.

During the restoration, they removed added walls and dropped ceilings to reveal the original features from when the building was first built.

Outside, conservators recreated a crumbling terra cotta sculpture, designed originally by Austrian Rudolf Schwarz, who created the limestone sculptural groups for the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

They used remnants and historic photographs to replicate the sculpture in fiberglass—much lighter than the original to the historic brick wall.

Atkins plans to display fragments of the original as artwork inside the building.

More information on the historic building is available by clicking here.