Today, the Stutz building is owned and managed by Indianapolis commercial developer Turner Woodard, who refurbished the turn-of-the-century factory complex into a bustling business center for small- and mid-sized businesses.
May 30, 1911
Gil Anderson drives Stutz’s Bearcat in the first-ever Indianapolis 500. He places 11th thus “The Car That Made Good In a Day.”
June 1911
The Ideal Motor Parts Company is founded where the legendary Bearcat is designed. This three-story factory at 217 W. 10th is now part of the Stutz complex.
1912
Stutz breaks ground across the street on a new, modern plant at 212 W. 10th Street that will produce as many as 500 Stutz per year. These two facilities are the present day Stutz I and II. Stutz Bearcats and Blackhawks are recognized as one of the finest sports and racing cars of their day. The Stutz sedans are acknowledged as one of the safest cars, due to Harry Stutz’s innovative under slung suspension and transmission designs.
1916
A group of investors joins participation in the Stutz Company. The company is reorganized and becomes The Stutz Motorcar Company of America.
1919
Stutz and the original investors sell their remaining shares to Charles Schwab of Bethlehem, retiring millionaires.
1928
Frank Lockhart and the Stutz team attempt to set a new land speed record with a Stutz Blackhawk. They travel 202 MPH on the beach at Daytona, only to fail when the right front tire blows on the return run and crashes into the ocean. Frank Lockhart is killed and the Stutz team never races again!
1929
The stock market crashes.
1935
The company, like many, hand-built automobiles during this era, was severely hurt by the economic depression in the 1930’s. The Stutz Factory shutters its doors.
1940
Eli Lilly and Company purchased the factory and establishes its “Creative Packaging” division at the building until 1982. The facility stood vacant for a decade and its existence began to be questioned.
September 1993
Turner Woodard, an Indianapolis resident and adaptive reuse developer, purchases the building with the vision to restore but not alter the factory. He envisions a business center for small- and mid-sized companies where they can flourish in a truly unique entrepreneurial atmosphere.
2004
The Innovative Spirit of Harry Stutz lives again thanks to Turner Woodard, his management team and tenants! The 400,000 square foot Stutz building is home to more than 150 tenants. The former automobile factory occupies an entire city block with seven buildings, five freight elevators, and 11 loading docks!
Artists, architects, attorneys, graphic design firms, advertising firms, internet firms, engineering firms, and other small business owners enjoy flexible space and lease terms that fit their budget.
2021
SomeraRoad acquired the 1912 building at the beginning of 2021, just recently beginning to redevelop the building into a multidimensional live-work-play atmosphere. The developer is investing $100M to revitalize the century-old building, with Phase One restorations to include: new windows, elevators, entrances, HVAC, electrical and plumbing infrastructure, and major façade repairs, including a complete restoration of the historic archway on Capitol Avenue. Once complete, the multi-year adaptive reuse project will encompass 290,000 square feet of office space for companies of all sizes, starting at 3,000 square feet for turnkey suites.