Welcome to
The Ohio Building
The Ohio Building is an elegant turn of the century historic building in downtown Terre Haute. The building was fully renovated in 2007.
Meet the Owners
Jeremy and Carrie Clarke purchased The Ohio Building in April 2023, continuing its legacy as a cornerstone of downtown Terre Haute. As the owners of several other local landmarks — including The Sycamore Building and Queen City — the Clarkes are deeply passionate about preserving Terre Haute’s history while driving its downtown growth.
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Their vision for The Ohio Building centers on connection, creativity, and community. With a refreshed business model, they’re excited to welcome more people into the building on a regular basis — transforming it into a lively hub for gatherings, celebrations, and local experiences.
In 2026, the Clarkes will introduce a new restaurant that will blend historic charm with modern flavor, furthering their mission to bring new life to downtown
Terre Haute.
History
The Ohio Building stands as one of Terre Haute’s most iconic landmarks — a place where more than a century of stories, craftsmanship, and community have been preserved under one historic roof.
Early Beginnings (1906–1913)
Originally constructed as two separate buildings, The Ohio Building’s story begins in 1906 with the east wing, home to the German American Trust. Just a year later, local grocer William “Buff” Kaufman began building the western half to house his grocery business on the main floor and the Conservatory of Music on the second floor. By 1913, the two wings were united to create the Hotel Tuller, a 40-room hotel that served guests until 1952. The hotel featured beautiful oak wood floors throughout the public spaces, with maple flooring in the ballroom and pine floors in each guest room — the outlines of those rooms are still visible today in the wood grain that tells their story. The original check-in desk now serves as the second floor bar, where two of the hotel’s original keys remain framed as a tribute to the past.
Mid-Century Changes
In 1950, the Goodie Shop Cafeteria moved into the first floor — now home to the Banquet Center — marking a new era for the building. The hotel closed soon after, its rooms sealed off, while the cafeteria thrived for nearly four decades. A uniform from the original Goodie Shop staff remains proudly displayed in the building today as a nod to its mid-century charm.
Decline and Revival
By the mid-1990s, the building had fallen into disrepair and faced demolition. Yet just two weeks before its scheduled teardown in December 2003, Al Ruckriegel and David Adams purchased the property, determined to restore its historic grandeur.
What followed was a massive renovation effort. Over 380 tons of debris were removed, including 12 layers of roofing, revealing the building’s original craftsmanship. Construction on the second-floor luxury loft, Casa Urbana, began on May 17, 2004, and was completed on the first day of spring, 2005. The 13,000-square-foot space now includes elegant suites, original fixtures, and a clawfoot tub from the hotel’s early days.
Even the theater seats — sourced from Radio City Music Hall in New York City — add a touch of history beyond Terre Haute.
A New Era
In January 2020, Sarah and Daniel Pigg, owners of The Sycamore Winery, took over management of The Ohio Building. They introduced the second-floor tasting room, blending timeless heritage with modern luxury.
In April 2023, Jeremy and Carrie Clark purchased The Ohio Building, continuing its legacy of hospitality and history. Under their care, the building remains a place where past and present meet — offering guests an unforgettable experience in the heart of downtown Terre Haute.