Property Info

Grounded in tradition, Depot Square Flats will be an intriguing combination of old world craftsmanship with the original brick walls, hand hewed post beams and exposed ceiling rafters, enhanced with today’s modern amenities such as indoor garage parking. The project endeavors to continue the preservation and revitalization of a historic landmark. Apartment units will range in size from one bedroom to two bedrooms with some loft apartments; reminiscent of big city living but with the quaintness of small town charm.

Batesville’s early beginnings are tied to Teunis Amack, who in 1852, sold his homestead to the John Callahan Trust Company to build a railroad right-of-way and establish a town. It was then that the city was laid out into 45 lots, creating the original downtown. Joshua Bates, a member of the Callahan Trust Company, was the first to build his home on lot number one. It is from Joshua Bates that Batesville is said to have received its name.

All of the lots on the original plat were rectangular in shape, with one exception. And that is where the Big Four Railroad choose to build their train station on Depot Street. The railroad located the station there because of the availability of water coming from what is believed to be Amack’s well, a working well to this day.

Batesville thrived as a town with nine furniture factories and the Batesville Coffin Company which was also located on that square plot. Back in 1884, the forests surrounding the town supplied the raw materials for manufacturing coffins and a concentration of German immigrant artisans provided the craftsmanship. The coffin company was known for its ornate hand-carved, wooden coffins. It was purchased by John Hillenbrand in 1906 and renamed the Batesville Casket Company.

The Hillenbrand and Romweber families’ divided their interests in the company in 1929 with the Romweber family taking the furniture component, forming the American Furniture Company. The building continued to evolve throughout its’ history until 2009 when the furniture company closed. At this time it was over a 130 years old, making it the oldest case good manufacturer in the United States.

True to its history, the building has once again begun another transformation giving it a new lease on life. Construction of 56 market rate apartments is under way. Located in downtown Batesville, Indiana the apartments are within walking distance of churches, restaurants, shopping, a bakery, city parks and the farmers market. Located on the RomWeber campus is also the award winning Big Four Café, with Chef Devin Murchin, past master chef for Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

Drawing upon a sites unique symbolic depiction on an old historic plot seems fitting for a new beginning, 168 years in the making. Come discover idyllic lifestyle living in a downtown historic landmark, Depot Square.