Ever wonder what Indianapolis looked like in the 1920’s? You can get a glimpse of that past as you drive up Delaware Street, just north of downtown. Between 11 – 17th Streets there are a series of these old homes, many of which have been restored to their former glory including one of my favorites.
Located at 1456 N. Deleware is the Villa Inn and Spa housed in a building that was constructed in the late 19th Century. Even then, this building must have looked like it was dropped from a foreign land. While Persian rooms were popular at that time, this building took that trend to the extreme. The entire building looks like a Persian castle with its stone trim, Gothic windows and battlement parapet around the top. It is easy to imagine the guards of ancient Persia standing along the high castle walls.
Now more than 100 years old, as this building was a home to several of Indy’s prominent families, a commercial building and now the Villa, an unusual combination of spa, restaurant and inn. Wander down Delaware Avenue to see it, or drop in for a manicure, massage or lunch.
