Architectural rendering of Purdue’s Roberts Impact Lab in downtown Hammond

Hammond's downtown revitalization takes shape

Contributed By: Jonathan Bradford (Off the Cover News)

Downtown Hammond’s Revitalization Master Plan, initially proposed in 2019 and led by designer Jeff Speck, is becoming a reality.

Speck, a Brookline, Massachusetts based designer, believes Hammond’s downtown can benefit from renovating a collection of underutilized high-quality historic buildings. One main focus is The Banc, which will open in March 2025.

The Banc developers – Anastacia Fratto, Alan Schachtman, and Rob Hart – said their projects have integrated historic features of the 100-year-old Bank Calumet Building into its design. The development not only offers high-quality living but also celebrates Hammond’s architectural heritage.

The Banc includes studios, convertibles, and 1-2 bedroom apartments, all equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. Residents have access to a pet spa and a residential fitness center.

“Our goal was to preserve the existing historic features into the new development, allowing us to retain many of the 100-year-old iconic features,” Fratto said.

The Banc will house The Reserve, a new event venue to accommodate weddings, galas, corporate gatherings, and live performances.

“Combining historic charm with modern elegance, the venue is set to become a cultural beacon for special events,” said Fratto.


The Banc - once Bank Calumet - opens in March offering 7 floors of apartment living

“What sets this revitalization apart from the past efforts is that we have already implemented our innovative and smart master plan,” said Anne Taylor, Executive Director of Hammond’s Dept. of Planning and Development.

“Past revitalization efforts only scratched the surface,” Taylor said. “This time, we’re aiming to go above and beyond; focusing on environmental safety, walkability, accessibility, and new residential options as well.”

Taylor praised Purdue University Northwest’s role in the project, calling the university’s presence a cornerstone of the master plan. “I love it that Purdue University Northwest is coming downtown. They have been part of the master plan conversations for years. The fact that they’re actually building and rehabbing in downtown is exciting.”

Purdue University plans to renovate a 44,000-square-foot medical office building that was once part of the former Franciscan Health/St. Margaret Hospital, most of which is being torn down after it closed in late 2022.

Purdue will transform the medical office building into an extension of the university’s Roberts Impact Lab, a regional technology transfer and commercialization hub under development by PNW.

Dr. Naiz Latif, associate vice chancellor for commercialization research and Executive Director of Purdue Northwest’s Manufacturing Excellence Center noted, “The Robert’s Lab will serve as a multipurpose space for commercialization, manufacturing technology, and scientific research development.”

“PNW has joined the Chicago region’s Bloch Tech Hub, a coalition of industry, academic, government and nonprofit stakeholders led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange, which aims to advance the nation’s quantum economy,” said Kenneth Holford, PNW chancellor.

The university and its coalition partners are preparing to include a quantum commercialization center as part of the Roberts Impact Lab.

“The Impact Lab at PNW has long been envisioned to spur growth within Northwest Indiana. Quantum computing is a burgeoning technology expected to deliver transformational impacts to multiple sectors,” Latif added.

Rimbach Square will bring a new mixed-use development to downtown Hohman Avenue, featuring commerce and retail on the first floor and 200 residential apartments above.

“Rimbach Square is right in the middle of it all," Taylor said. “With the improvements to Hohman Avenue and a planned downtown train station, the new development will be another great addition to downtown Hammond.”

More mixed-use development of retail and housing is being planned when Hammond completes construction on the downtown station of the South Shore Commuter Rail Line. The early plan for Station Square, to be located near the South Shore stop, includes 1,000 units of affordable housing at market-rate rental prices.

“The downtown revitalization and new train station are reinvigorating people’s hearts. The heart of our community is already beating again” said Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott.

Story Posted:01/06/2025