The Republic Newspaper Office Explained

The Republic Office Building
Designation1:National Historic Landmark
Location:333 Second St, Columbus, Indiana, USA
Designation1 Date:2012
Architect:Myron Goldsmith
Area:23000square feet
Coordinates:39.1999°N -85.9217°W

The Republic Newspaper Office is a modernist building in Columbus, Indiana that was originally home to the local newspaper The Republic. Completed in 1971, it is an acknowledged masterpiece of Modern architect Myron Goldsmith, and was designated a National Historic Landmark for its architecture in 2012.

History

The Republic building was completed in 1971 by Myron Goldsmith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill as the first of their 1960 masterplan for the city of Columbus.[1] The one storey structure was constructed with a steel and aluminum frame on a low concrete foundation. The building's glass exterior originally allowed the newspaper's bright yellow printing press to be viewed from the nearby street.[2] Its landscaping, part of the original design, includes lawn extending directly to the building's foundation (with no foundation plantings), and honey locust trees carefully planted to align and interplay with the building's bays.[3]

The printing press was removed from the building and all printing functions were moved off site in 1997. In 2016, the newspaper relocated.[4]

In 2016 the building was purchased by Southeastern Indiana Medical Holdings for $2.8 million for use as an administrative office.[5] [6]

The IU Foundation Inc of Indiana University purchased the building from Southeastern Indiana Medical Holdings in 2018 for $2.8 million. The building is intended to house the university's new Master of Architecture program.[7]

In popular culture

The building was featured throughout the 2017 film Columbus.[8]

Historical designation

In 2012, the site was designated a National Historic Landmark on the basis of its architecture, making it the seventh structure in Columbus to receive the title.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 11 important modernist buildings in Columbus, Indiana. 2017-09-01. Dezeen. en. 2019-03-11.
  2. Web site: Former newspaper building in Indiana, a modernist icon shaped in Chicago, will house architecture program. Kamin. Blair. chicagotribune.com. en-US. 2019-03-11.
  3. Web site: NHL nomination for The Republic. National Archives. 2021-05-01.
  4. Web site: Designed to Celebrate the Press, a 1970s SOM Building Will Now House an Architecture Program. www.architectmagazine.com. 2019-03-11.
  5. Web site: Indiana University purchases former Republic building to house master’s program. Johannesen. Kirk. The Republic. en-US. 2019-03-11.
  6. Web site: Building’s location, architectural significance attracted growing organization to property. Johannesen. Kirk. The Republic. en-US. 2019-03-11.
  7. Web site: IU architecture program moving into former newspaper office. 2018-05-01. AP NEWS. 2019-03-11.
  8. Web site: Trace movie stars’ footsteps to featured Columbus architecture. McClure. Julie. The Republic. en-US. 2019-03-11.
  9. Web site: Republic building named landmark. www.hspa.com. 2019-03-11.