COLUMBUS, Ind. — A historic downtown office building that has often been called “arguably the most famous address in Columbus” has changed hands, ushering in a new era for a landmark that was a center of influence and generosity in the community for over a century.
The building, located at 301 Washington St., which was previously owned by Cummins Inc., is the former site of Irwin’s Bank — which later became Irwin Union Bank and Trust — and includes the former office of the late J. Irwin Miller, a Cummins chairman and philanthropist who shaped the city’s economy, architecture and culture throughout the 20th century.
Cummins sold the building to Columbus-based Johnson Ventures on Nov. 13 for $767,700, according to public real estate records. Cummins, however, was unable to comment by press time on what prompted the decision to sell the building, which it had purchased to use as office space a little over a decade ago.
Rick Johnson, president and CEO of Johnson Ventures, told The Republic that he intends to use the building for his company’s offices and preserve Miller’s office with the possibility of restarting architectural tours that had been halted when the pandemic struck.
Johnson Ventures, a private investment group that acquires and grows companies, currently has an office just up the street at 417 Washington St., according to its website.
“It’s likely going to be offices for Johnson Ventures,” Johnson said. “We’re going to be designing a plan over the winter and be ready to execute in the spring. …Our goal would be to spend a little time looking at how we might best use it for an office.”
For the complete story and more photos, see Wednesday’s Republic.
