Owners of Michael Graves building pledge to preserve colors; commission discusses National Register route

Representatives for the owners of the Michael Graves–designed office building at 10330 North Meridian told the Carmel Historic Preservation Commission they do not plan to paint over the building’s original color scheme and are exploring National Register listing and historic tax credits to fund rehabilitation.

Commission staff reported a recent Zoom meeting with ownership representatives that covered possible exterior cleaning, National Register eligibility and the potential to use the federal rehabilitation tax credit (20 percent) as part of a capital strategy. Staff offered to provide a list of consultants who prepare National Register nominations and attorneys to assist with syndication of historic tax credits.

Ethan Fernhaber, an owner representative who joined the meeting, told staff on the call, “I just want you to be sure that you understand we're not going to paint over the ... colors, the original design scheme that Graves came up with.” Jason Patterson of Helix Development, present at the meeting as a representative of ownership, said the exterior is dyed concrete and that the team plans to seal the surface after cleaning. “Our goal…is to restore community, shine light on it, and bring community into structures that were once, once immaculate,” Patterson said.

Staff noted the building was added to the city’s modern architecture survey in 2022 and was constructed in 1994. The commission discussed whether the State Historic Preservation Office would find the building eligible for the National Register under the ‘‘less than 50 years’’ exception for properties by a recognized master architect. Staff cited precedent work such as Samara (the John Christian House by Frank Lloyd Wright) that was listed before the usual 50‑year threshold because of its designer’s significance.

No formal designation or regulatory restriction is being proposed by the commission; staff emphasized the National Register nomination would be an owner‑initiated path to access federal tax incentives and would also require State Historic Preservation Office concurrence. Staff said the commission can offer a local grant (an 80 percent match for consultant fees) through an existing program to help with the cost of a National Register nomination, but designation itself would be outside the commission’s immediate authority unless a local ordinance process is initiated.

Commissioners expressed support for encouraging owners to pursue federal tax credits and for preserving character‑defining features, both exterior and interior, that the National Park Service would review if tax credits are part of a rehabilitation plan.

No vote or formal action was taken; staff will follow up with names of consultants and legal advisors for owners who want to pursue a National Register nomination and historic tax credit syndication.