What makes a building “historic”? Age is just a number (but it does need to be more than 50 years old!) According to Indiana Landmarks, it must also be associated with a historically significant person/event and have architectural or engineering integrity/value. More than that, though, it needs to tell a story. Historic buildings aren’t just decades- or centuries-old structures; they are windows into the past. Preserving them is preserving a community’s history, its identity, and its character.
And restoring them… Well, that is a challenge that requires meticulous planning, in-depth experience with restoration best practices, and expert craftsmanship. The Glass House Gallery brought this knowledge and know-how to a quiet Zionsnville community, helping transform a long-neglected historic church into a stunning home.
A Church Conversion Returns Quality and Character to Historic Building
The property on the corner of West Walnut and North Streets in charming Zionsville was overgrown with trees and shrubs, and overrun with weeds. In the midst sat a 150+ year old church which had been designated as a historic site. Its new owner wanted to preserve its historical integrity – and transform it into a welcoming residence that would stand the test of time.
It’s no mean feat, so she turned to Cedar Street Builders, one of Indiana’s top custom home builders. And given our team’s experience with historic buildings, Cedar Street turned to Franklin Door & Window.
We provided all of the exterior luxury windows and doors that were not restored on the structure (when possible, Cedar Street Builders reclaimed and reused original materials). We choose Marvin Ultimate lines for the main home and Marvin Elevate lines for the new garage/carriage house.
The windows on this home are non-standard in both size and shape. Franklin General Manager JR Fowler and his crew, however, are always up for a challenge. Fowler says, “We are our clients’ ‘go to’ when it comes to unique projects, so to us, this home was treated like any other.”
The goal was to match the historic nature of the arch-topped double hung windows on the original structure with the functionality and ease of use of the arch-topped casement windows. Fowler explains, “Marvin has an assortment of standard sizes that allows us to match new specifications as closely as possible and gives us options for the simulated divided-light grids to match the original windows.”
This meticulous approach, and seamless partnership, paid off. The restored Walnut Street property is stunning, light-filled, and inviting inside. Outside, it’s shed its skin as a gloomy, abandoned structure and become a neighborhood beacon.
Your Go-To Partner
Our general Manager JR Fowler says it best: “We enjoy projects where we’re involved at the beginning and can be a resource for your clients. We aren’t just another vendor that fills 3’x5’ openings with the same window over and over again. Working with custom builders, designers, and architects is what we are here to do, and we have a full collection of different manufacturers and products to help meet their needs – and their dreams.”
The Glass House Gallery seeks to provide transparent, no-nonsense information and guidance so you can make the best decisions for your project. Whether you’re working on a new build or making a 200 year old structure new again, our team is here to help you realize your clients’ vision.