Old federal building gets new face

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - For the first time Indiana State University students walked inside a piece of Terre Haute’s history.

Located in the heart of downtown Terre Haute, sits a piece of newly renovated history.

Indiana State University remodeled the former federal building into the new home of the Scott College of Business.

Professor Bruce McLaren, with Indiana State University says, "It's important to keep this building, because you know, it's a piece of our history. It's on the National Registry of Historic Places."

Tyler Brosey, an ISU Senior says, "It was kind of just there, you know, no one ever used it, walked passed it. It's a really nice building from the outside; it looks great they’ve done a lot with it, it looks a lot better now."

After almost 6 years of renovations and about $20 million later, the project was completed just in time for the first day of classes.

For McLaren it's just what the school needed.

"We've waited a very long time. Well, I think for the staff, it really re-energizes us, it gives us sort of 'new birth',” said McLaren.

McLaren says Federal Hall is beautiful, he says as students walk along the halls it's hard to miss the historic detail, and that's something the school made sure to preserve.

"Well, it’s an example of Art Deco of the Federalist design that was done in federal buildings of this time. It’s really unprecedented in Terre Haute, I really don't think you’ll find another building quite like this,” said McLaren.

Brosey says, “The coolest building on campus is the Federal building."

McLaren says it’s a historical landmark that was given a new purpose but not without keeping its original face.

The new hall offers a total of 12 classrooms, a student cafe and several common meeting areas.