Our Favorite Houses

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We’ve all stalked and gawked at certain homes in the city. We’ve pumped the brakes, circled the block, and (duh) found real-estate listings online. But to get the full story, you have to pull into a driveway and ask. So we did, finding gracious homeowners willing to open their doors to these Indianapolis abodes with heart-melting curb appeal. Some you know—the Kessler mansion, Indy Mod Homes on 10th Street. Some you don’t—a secluded old-money estate, circular huts on a dead-end road. In any case, stick around for the tours. You don’t even need a mask. —Edited by Megan Fernandez, Kelly Kendall, and Kristin Sims with Jonathan Eriksen, Dawn Olsen, and Dave Seminara

1. Art Moderne Masterpiece

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Exterior of Art Moderne home
Pristine Art Moderne design that helped bring the neighborhood back to life.

Photo by Tony Valainis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Midcentury Magnificence 

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Exterior of midcentury modern home at dusk
The midcentury-modern country home just off the interstate.

Tony Valainis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Historic Party Home

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Indianapolis history and classical style in a one-of-a-kind party home.

Tony Valainis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Trulli One Of A Kind

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Exterior of round home
Likely the country’s only example of Italian “trulli” architecture.

Tony Valainis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. A Playful Spin on Tradition

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Exterior of modern home with people on porch
A playful, modern spin on a traditional form.

Photo by Tony Valainis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Castle-like Charm

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Large brick house
Six acres on Meridian Street and a house as strong as a castle.

Tony Valainis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. The Cutest Cottage

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Exterior of blue cottage with red door
The cutest little cottage in The Shire.

Photo by Tony Valainis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Waterside Oasis

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Exterior of contemporary lakehouse at sunset
Drama, serenity, and panoramic water views amid the bustling north side.

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Prefab Perfection

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Exterior of modern home painted bright orange and purple
Cheerful color and architecture in Indy’s newest prefabricated community.

Tony Valainis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Fountain Square Fab

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Exterior of blue home with horseshoe shaped balcony.
Gingerbread trim, a surprising amount of space—and that balcony!

Photo by Tony Valainis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. Balanced Beauty

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Two-story white house with tiled roof
Mediterranean charm outside, flooded with light and serene symmetry inside.

Tony Valainis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cult of Avriel Shull

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Selling America’s Ugliest House

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