Strong Interest From Buyers For Indy's Oldest Surviving White Castle

There has been strong interest in Indianapolis’ oldest surviving White Castle building.  Indiana Landmarks bought the building from the city and announced this month it was up for sale.

“We’ve been contacted by numerous parties, well over 20 at this point, that are interested in putting a use to the property," says Mark Dollase, vice president of preservation services. "We’ve heard everything from restaurants to office to studio-type space, so we are hearing all kinds of potential spaces.” 

Dollase says there is no price tag on the building, yet.

“Right now I’m in the process of securing a commercial broker to go by and give us an estimate on what they believe it should be marketed at," he says. "So we don’t have a price set yet and that’s what we are doing at this point.”

Located at 660 Fort Wayne Ave., the building occupies an oddly shaped lot at the three-way intersection of Delaware and Walnut streets and Fort Wayne Avenue.  It opened as a White Castle in 1927, and is believed to be the third oldest building constructed by the national chain.  It will always be protected as an historic structure..

“As small as it is, it’s one of the best protected properties in Indiana because not only does it have our protection, but also that of the city because it’s in the St. Joseph historic district which is designated by the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission so it is protected through the city as well,” Dollase says.

The building has been used as a real estate office and a National Guard recruiting center.  Indiana Landmarks would like to see some type of activity returned to the building that brings new life to the St. Joe historic neighborhood.