Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A downtown building, commonly identified as the "Saemann Building" and once in disrepair, has found new life after the recent departure of IPFW from its third floor.
Leon Brenneman, Winona Lake, purchased the building in July 2004 and plans to renovate the third floor into condominiums, which will be offered for sale.
The building originally housed a Masonic Lodge in its early years, which the fraternal order used for meeting space. The Masonic logo still can be found on the walls of the lower level of the building.
After the departure of the Masons, the building remained empty for many years and the roof deteriorated to the point where the sky could be seen if one looked inside through the building's windows.
In the 1980s, the F.I. Saemann Foundation purchased the building in hopes to revive the interior. Local businesses located in the building shortly afterwards.
Brenneman, in collaboration with the architectural firm of Scearce Rudisel and contractor William Kerry, South Whitley, are in the process of erecting two condominiums on the top floor; one consisting of 1,700 square feet and the other with 1,300 square feet. The measurements do not include loft areas inside the properties. Both condos can be entered through an inside elevator or stairwell leading in from a back alley. Access to rooftop decking via spiral staircases will be available for each condominium as well.
Plans for the two lower levels of the building are yet to be disclosed by Brenneman.
