The George W. Hoffman Building, located at 1024-1026 Virginia Avenue, is one of the most intricately designed buildings in the neighborhood. Look up – this Italianate building has cast iron window hoods, small floral accents, and a pressed metal cornice. In 1875, Hoffman purchased this lot and built the commercial red brick building with olive green and cream accents. Hoffman was an entrepreneur, who started his career in drugstores before moving into metal polish manufacturing – he created the solution “United States Metal Polish” in 1882, which today we know as “Bar Keepers’ Friend.” 

When the building changed hands in 1922, the sale was reported in the Indianapolis News newspaper on November 2, 1922 with the comment: “Southside businessmen are optimistic over the prospect for increase in property values, due to railroad track elevation.” North on Virginia Avenue, a massive infrastructure project was underway to elevate the railroad tracks that separated Fountain Square and Fletcher Place from downtown, in an effort to connect the thriving commercial corridor to the city center. 

The Hoffman Building has been home to many businesses on the first floor and residents on the second and third floors. In its first year, the building was occupied by tenants in the tea and coffee business, tailoring, and manufacturing, as well as a justice of the peace. Early businesses include a flour & feed store, a grocery, cigar manufacturing, a pharmacy, and a shoe store. Early 20th century stores included secondhand goods, laundry cleaners, a jeweler, and a billiard room. Throughout the mid century an optometrist and a restaurant occupied the first floor. In more recent years, restaurants, an ice cream shop, a clothing store, and a comedy venue occupied the first floor. What business would you welcome next? 

The building illustrated on the 1915 Sanborn map, the two connected pink rectangles near the center of the image.
Credit: 1915 Sanborn Map, MapIndy, City of Indianapolis.

The building in 1982.
Credit: Commercial Building, 1024-1026 Virginia Ave, 1982, Indiana Landmarks Historic Architecture Collection, Herron School of Art Library, 1982.

Advertisement for the Metzger shoe store; note that the address is 610 Virginia Avenue. This is prior to the re-addressing change.
Credit: Advertisement, Indianapolis News, March 20, 1889.

Martha Taylor, proprietor of a restaurant in the Hoffman Building, unexpectedly hosted Presidential Nominee Wendell Willkie in 1940.
Credit: “Hostess to Willkies,” Indianapolis News, August 28, 1940.