Ambassador apartments are the best example of how rich Gary is when it comes to abandoned architectural structures. Built in the early 1920s, these world-class apartments meant for the flamboyant residents of Gary began operations in 1928, shortly after its completion. Having features like a rooftop garden and many others, the housing complex was one of the best and most preferred in Indiana State. After nearly a century in operations, the complex building proved to be difficult to maintain leading to its closure and abandonment.

Crowded Gary

In the 1920s, most of the states in the U.S.A were growing up at a rapid rate, both in population and development. Indiana was one of the elephant states that started on the right foot having Gary as one of their most developed towns. More people coming into Indiana and Gary meant that more organized housing facilities were required. Having more corporates coming into the town both for work and investments, the residential market had to be top-notch than those substandard and obsolete buildings that were already there. That is how a proposal to build a mega housing complex in the middle of the town where most offices and blue-collar workers liked. Ambassador Apartments’ construction, therefore, began in 1921.

The White Flight

The Ambassador Apartments did well for over 50 years when white flight drastically caused both economic and population decline in the city. Many of the residents were white settlers and when the only black mayor of the city was elected, they were agitated to the point of relocating to other towns. This reduced the number of tenants in the building which in turn reduced revenue collected by the management.  Low profit forced the managers of the housing complex to ignore routine maintenance taking the building to a slow death. By the 1970s, the building had not only reduced in the number of occupants but also in terms of structural beauty too. Its beauty had faded over the years of no maintenance. Most residents left when an inspection done by city authorities declared the apartment complex unsafe. 1985 was the final year of operations of the housing complex.

The eyesore of Gary

After the closure of the apartment complex, it went into further deterioration and local gangs made it their favorite spot. Many of the homeless also claimed territories in the building. You would rarely get a room that had not been claimed. Windows, doors, and furniture were broken or looted and the walls colored by vandals and graffiti artists. Some sections of the walls have given up and collapsed. Ambassador Apartments is currently under the management of Jefferson Park Community but is still in total ruin. Efforts to restore the building by the new managing body were not futile. The building is in bad shape and locals are discouraged from exploring.