Remains of Gary’s Memorial Auditorium at 700 Massachusetts Street

Remainder of Memorial Auditorium to be razed for Broadway Lofts

Contributed By:The 411 News

What’s left of Gary’s Memorial Auditorium – the only part that escaped major damage from the fire that swept through downtown Gary in 1997 – will be demolished to make way for Broadway Lofts, a multi-family housing development.

The Gary Redevelopment Commission made the announcement at its Wednesday meeting and will begin accepting demolition bids.

Dept. of Redevelopment Director Joseph Vandyk said the demolition has been approved by Indiana’s Dept. of Natural Resources through its Office of Historic Preservation. In 1994, the auditorium was designated a National Historic site.

Construction on Broadway Lofts could start in late fall or spring 2020, after site inspections and preparations are completed by Miller Valentine Holding, the project’s developers.

Vandyk said the auditorium remains had lost their historic significance. “Some of the ornate brickwork will be salvaged and stored for future reuse, and could be incorporated in the redevelopment plans.”

The building’s foyer containing the box office, concession areas, and stairs to the upper floors were the only intact remains from the fire that destroyed the 5,000 seat auditorium.

Opened in 1927, its remains stand as one of the relics to the city’s history.

Miller Valentine Group, from Cincinnati, OH and the developer of Gary’s Broadway Lofts had proposed 42 units with 1-, 2- and 3-bedrooms, including apartments and townhomes when the project was first proposed in 2018. The current design is for 38 units of 1- and 2-bedrooms.

Broadway Lofts will be built on land that has long been vacant, straddling the corner at 7th Avenue & Broadway. Along 7th Avenue, its front will extend to the remains of the old Memorial Auditorium in the 700 block of Massachusetts.

Broadway Lofts units are specified as middle-income and senior housing.


Drawing of Broadway Lofts in Gary

Story Posted:04/19/2019