INDIANAPOLIS — The four-story Ford Assembly Branch at Washington and Oriental that generated 600,000 cars and trucks between 1915 and 1932 has been empty for years, but it will soon be repurposed. Guests are invited to tour the building Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. thanks to Indiana Landmarks.
After 1932, Ford used the plant for parts service and auto sales into the 1940s. Some may remember it as a Mallory factory. Mallory sold the property to Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), which used less than half the building for receiving and storage. It landed on Indiana Landmarks’ 10 Most Endangered list in 2016. IPS is selling the plant to TWG Development whose repurposing will reopen and restore blocked windows and fill the building with apartments, offices, and retail.
The tour will be self-guided, with volunteers stationed to interpret the spaces and answer questions, including representatives of TWG who will talk about the renovation. Admission is free for Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Automotive members; $10 to the general public. Tickets are available online at www.indianalandmarks.org/event/ford-plant-before-tour/. Tickets must be reserved in advance.
