A rendering of the LaSalle Hote redevelopment. Provided imate
Another historic tower in downtown Hammond will get new life as a residential property.
NWI Development Group just transformed the former Bank Calumet building into the Banc, which is home to 100 market-rate apartments, a coffee shop and a wedding venue.
Now another developer plans to revive the long-vacant, century-old Hotel LaSalle. The five-story, 70-room hotel at 5266 Hohman Ave. was established in 1908 as a grain storage facility, was a hideout for bootleggers during Prohibition and was turned into the Hotel Meade in the 1930s. The royal family of Norway once stayed there, but it later became home to transients and longtime residents, some of whom lived there for 40 years, until Hammond acquired it for $700,000 as part of its downtown revitalization project in 2017.
Northwest Indiana-based Moynihan Capital plans to invest $4 million to transform the historic building into 28 residential units, including one- and two-bedroom apartments with modern amenities.
“This development supports the long-term vision of our downtown revitalization with density and new amenities,” Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said. “Keeping the momentum going in our downtown is key to its ongoing vitality.”
Hammond is breaking ground on a new South Shore Line station on the Monon Corridor that is expected to drive demand for housing in the downtown, which was once a major regional shopping hub with movie palaces and grand department stores, including the Goldblatt's that Hammond native Jean Shepherd immortalized in "A Christmas Story."
McDermott said that it was a leap to try to bring housing downtown since it was always more of a commercial center, but that the demand was clear after the Banc ended up 100% leased in just a few months.
The ground floor of the Hotel LaSalle a short walk down Hohman Avenue will be turned into retail space, likely hosting at least two commercial tenants and at least one restaurant.
“The former LaSalle building in downtown Hammond is a very unique building, and I am pleased the city waited for right developers,” said Anne Taylor, Hammond's executive director of planning and development. “The Moynihan family has been circling this building for years, and the time was finally right to make the connection. This is a real win for our downtown.”
Moynihan Capital Partner Dennis Moynihan has deep roots in Hammond, where his family has lived since the 1930s.
“It’s such a great place to do business for so many reasons,” he said. “We're looking forward to being part of revitalizing the downtown and providing new, quality rental housing and retail options with the renovation of the former Hotel LaSalle."
His firm hopes to complete the renovations in 18 months.
© Copyright 2026, nwitimes.com, Munster, IN