Evansville Hulman Building

Built in 1930

20 NW Fourth Street
Evansville IN, 47708

Article by Nicole Whitaker

The Hulman Building may look like a place of the past, but in 1930 it was a new and exciting vertical design making it cutting edge and modern and one of the Evansville’s first skyscrapers.

Different from today’s skyscrapers the Hulman Building has Art Deco projections of planes that make the façade more interesting and emphasizes the vertical design. Decorative motifs located among the exterior showcase the elegant style of the 1930’s. These are found:

• Above the lower windows
• Above the lanterns
• Upper portion of projected planes
• Framing the lower windows
• Framing the two main entrances

Steel cutouts of geometric patterns border the entrances and reflect off the windows for an interesting double layer effect.

The new exciting idea of going vertical could only entail elevators; two golden elevators adorn the lobby. The interior of the building is more extravagantly decorated than the exterior. Featuring:

• Two golden elevators
• Decorative molding around the ceiling
• Original light fixtures
• Patterned tile floor
• Geometric shapes in the windows
• Heater covers

The colors throughout the interior consist of golds, deep reds and blues mostly located on the motifs around the ceiling. The light fixtures seen throughout the building are all original.