Restoring Character & Quality on Walnut Street:
The Glass House Gallery, Formerly Known As “Franklin Window & Door,” Helps Bring New Life To Historic Church
Zionsville resident Mattie Boehner passed by the overgrown, tree- and brush-choked property at the corner of West Walnut and North Street regularly. She couldn’t help but notice the abandoned air of the one-time church – but nor could she ignore the myriad possibilities this historic structure offered. When the chance came to purchase the property in 2012, Boehner jumped at it. The journey was only just starting!
Boehner’s daughter, Katie Longman, is also a neighborhood resident and a frequent passer-by of the West Walnut property. She says, “We’ve had decades to think about this place.” Good that they did because restoring a 150+ year-old building is challenging. Restoring a 150+ year-old building designated as a historic site is even more so.
Engaging the right partners is critical. The Glass House Gallery is proud to have played a role in restoring this building and ensuring it’ll stand proud for another few centuries.
Restoring Character and Quality on Walnut Street
The The Glass House Gallery team, formerly known as “Franklin Window & Door,” provided all of the exterior windows and doors that were not restored on the structure (when possible, the builders, 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. The Glass House Gallery, formerly known as “Franklin Window & Door,” 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.” (Read: this home was treated as if it were their own.)
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… Well, it speaks for itself. 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.
Restoration Takes a Team
When she purchased the property, Mattie Boehner worked closely with local zoning authorities, as well as Indiana Landmarks, to ensure the property was both up to code and in adherence with historical preservation standards. She also relied on experts, choosing Cedar Street Builders to lead the effort.
The Glass House Gallery’s experience with Dan and Anne at Cedar Street was smooth, streamlined, and positive – all of which are critical in delivering Mattie the results she needed. Fowler says,
“[Cedar Street’s] attention to detail on projects is exceptional, and they always work with us to get the best products for clients. We have been working on projects with them for around eight years now and look forward to many more!”
If the results at West Walnut are anything to go by, those partnerships are sure to bear exceptional fruit.
A Resource for You
Every restoration project is different, and each presents its own challenges. One of The Glass House Gallery’s most important jobs is to serve as a resource for our clients. As JR Fowler explains, “We aren’t just another vendor that fills 3’ x 5′ openings with the same window over and over again. Working with custom builders/designers/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 dreams.”
As always, you, the client, are the most valuable member of the team. When you have a dream, like Mattie Boehner does, we are here to work with you and your builders, designers, and architects to make it a stunning reality.
Here for You – From Start to Finish
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 vision – and make a lasting impression.
Connect with us about your project.