Coffee with a Side of Midcentury Modernism

Columbus’ beloved Lucabe Coffee Co. opens a second location in Harry Weese’s iconic Irwin Union Bank building.

Columbus, IN — Lucabe Coffee owners, Tyler and Alissa Hodge, have opened their second location within the iconic former Irwin Union Bank building at Eastbrook Plaza. This new location is located at 2531 Eastbrook Plaza.

Built in 1961, this 5,000 square foot split-level building is most known for its crenulated towers, which Weese likened to a child’s vision of a castle. The gray-glazed brick creates an unusual visual impression, which earned it the local title of the ‘dead horse,’ with its four original towers appearing like feet stretching into the sky. It had been vacant for more than a year before Lucabe took it over.

Lucabe Coffee, founded in 2017 in the heart of downtown, “started with a mission to serve Columbus with the highest customer care, the best specialty coffee, and an amazing environment to gather community,” according to Alissa Hodge.

The setting of this second location will allow the Hodges to do just that. The Irwin Union Bank building overlooks Haw Creek River along the Columbus People Trail, with all of its cyclists, joggers, and passersby. The Hodges have also restored the drive-thru window from Harry Weese’s original design to be able to serve the entire community, no matter how people arrive at this location.

Alissa Hodge says, “because of its distinctiveness, this was one of first buildings I fell in love with upon moving to Columbus.” The renovation and restoration of Weese’s design realizes the couple’s long-held dream of turning the building into a coffee shop. In addition to restoring the original drive-thru window, they have taken care to restore and protect the original floors that were covered in multiple layers of glue. The inside of the building is inspired by the modern design of that era, featuring black, wood, and grey elements and a nod to the original interior with an open view to the vault. 

“We are looking forward to opening during the 60th anniversary of the building and right as Exhibit Columbus is set to open. We are so happy to be welcoming all the community back into this iconic space to enjoy this architecture, the views of the creek, and good coffee together, ” explains Tyler Hodge.

This project is one of a number of recent preservation success stories in Columbus in which an organization adapts a modern building into a new use. “We’re really excited to see such high-quality work being completed by Lucabe on this important building in our community,” said Richard McCoy, the Executive Director of Landmark Columbus Foundation.

Press Contact
Elizabeth Kubany
Kubany, LLC
elizabeth@kubany.co