In 1930, the Indiana Bell Telephone Company building in Indianapolis achieved what seemed impossible: a 7-story, 11,000-ton building was rotated 90 degrees while 600 employees continued their daily work uninterrupted.
Why was the Indiana bell building rotated 90 degrees?
When Indiana Bell acquired Central Union in 1929, they found the existing building too small for their needs. However, they wanted the new, larger structure to be built on the same site as the existing one. To achieve this, it became necessary to relocate the entire building by rotating it 90 degrees.
But how was this engineering marvel accomplished?
The process began by lifting the building using hydraulic jacks. Hydraulic rollers, placed on a concrete surface supported by 75-ton spruce beams, facilitated the movement. As the building rested on one roller, workers positioned the next, ensuring a seamless transition. This method allowed the structure to move at a precise speed of 40 centimeters per hour.
A key challenge was maintaining accessibility and utilities. Ingeniously, a mobile walkway was attached to the entrance, keeping access available throughout the rotation. Meanwhile, gas, electricity, water, and even telephone services continued without interruption.
ThDespite the monumental effort to rotate the building, the structure at the intersection of Meridian and New York Streets served its purpose only until the late 1950s. It was ultimately demolished in 1963 to make way for new office facilities to accommodate the growing number of company operators. Today, the site is home to the 22-story AT&T office complex, which retains elements of the original Art Deco style of the former 7-story Indiana Bell building, preserving a connection to its remarkable history.
