Phillips Building (12 Points Public Market)

In the early 1900s after the 12 Points area had been surveyed and plotted by Walter Phillips, new construction began along Lafayette Avenue replacing wooden structures. Phillips began a real estate business and purchased lots on the west side of the street. He also had an interest in a company called American Stone and Conduit that was located on Ft. Harrison Road west of 13th Street. That business produced cast concrete blocks.

Phillips utilized those blocks in the construction of two-story buildings on the lots he owned on the west side of Lafayette Avenue. Retail businesses were located on the ground floor and the living space was on the second floor. It might have been the business owner and family living above their store or rented apartments. Phillips also had this one-story building constructed using the cast concrete blocks.

A two-story Phillips building on the west side of Lafayette which no longer standing.

It is unfortunate that none of the two-story structures are still standing. But this building is the last original Phillips building. When constructed in 1901 there were three separate retail spaces. As you can imagine, businesses changed countless times over the one hundred-plus years. 

A remarkable transformation happened when ownership changed in 2022. The public first noticed the change to the front of the building. Gone were the three doors to three individual spaces. There were new windows, new paint, and a colorful awning! The interior of the building was renovated into a large retail space that became Terre Haute’s first food hall. Not only are there restaurants, but the space also highlights pieces by local artists. A small stage provides space for local musicians to share their talents nearly every evening. 

Walter Phillips would be pleased that one of his buildings still stands and serves the citizens of the 12 Points neighborhood.

2019

2025