South Bend Boosts Downtown Apartment Transformation

The building opened in 1909.

The city of South Bend is adding some financial support to a $7.6 million downtown redevelopment project. The Redevelopment Commission has approved nearly $800,000 for the work that is being led by Great Lakes Capital Development.

The building is currently little-used office space and plans call for it to be converted into more than 50 apartments and retail. The second floor will remain office space.

It is named for John Studebaker, who previously served as president of Studebaker Corp., and had the eight-story building constructed in the early-1900s.

The JMS building joins a list of projects in the city’s downtown, including the $30 million transition of South Bend’s tallest building, the former Chase Tower, into an Aloft brand hotel that will also include over 80 apartments.