Barnes and Thornburg Building

The Barnes and Thornburg Building is a Chicago School bank building in downtown Indianapolis that rises 17 stories with a solid limestone base contrasting its red brick shaft. The upper section features detailed terra cotta moldings that accent the vertical lines running across the facade.

The building was completed in two phases starting in 1908 as a headquarters for a major bank before expanding to its full height by 1912. It served as the tallest structure in the city for roughly half a century before being surpassed by later construction.

The building displays the Chicago School's characteristic three-part design with a solid limestone base, slender red brick middle section, and ornate terra cotta details at the top. Visitors can see how this clear vertical organization defines the structure's appearance and sets it apart from surrounding buildings.

The ground floor remains accessible to visitors due to its use as a bank, while upper floors house private offices. The building sits along a main downtown street, making it easy to view from the sidewalk and appreciate its architectural details.

The building's construction in two separate phases meant that the lower and upper sections had to be carefully aligned to appear as a unified structure despite their different completion dates. Examining the exterior reveals how seamlessly these two parts were joined together.

Location: Indiana

Inception: 1912

Architectural style: Chicago School

Floors above the ground: 17

GPS coordinates: 39.76667,-86.15806

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:44