Indianapolis Athletic Club

The Indianapolis Athletic Club is an eight-story building with Italian Renaissance architectural style, featuring elaborate decorations and grand halls throughout. The complex contained multiple athletic spaces including a basketball court, swimming pool, racquetball courts, and specialized training areas for various sports.

The club was established in 1886 and developed into a significant institution that fielded one of Indiana's first football teams and became a founding member of the Amateur Athletic Union. This early involvement with national sports organizations made it a key hub for American athletics in the Midwest.

The building served as a gathering place where business leaders, politicians, and athletes of the region met through sports and social gatherings. This role shaped the city's social life for many decades.

Visitors should know that the building now functions as residential units and is not open to the public as an athletic facility. The Renaissance architecture remains visible from the street and the structure stands in a central downtown location.

In 2004, the historic structure underwent a major conversion from an athletic club into luxury residential apartments while preserving its original architecture. This transformation allowed the building to remain listed on the National Register of Historic Places while serving a new purpose.

Location: Indiana

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 39.77250,-86.15778

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:43