A father-and-son handshake

Inspired by South Bend's resilient spirit, a love for Notre Dame, and a love for historic buildings, Ed and Stephen Ziegler bought the Castle — the 7,220-square-foot Romanesque Revival mansion on a prominent corner in South Bend's West Washington National Register District.

The father-and-son team planned a mixed-use future for the property: public rental space and residences within the historic structure, across the street from the Oliver Mansion, near the Studebaker Mansion, and just down the street from the Frank Lloyd Wright–designed DeRhodes House. A decade earlier, the property had been on a downward path; Indiana Landmarks partnered with the City of South Bend to save it.

Ed Ziegler

Ed earned his Ph.D. at Notre Dame and taught at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, where he was awarded the Distinguished Teacher Award in 1972. He later moved into orthopedic sales, helping thousands of people receive new artificial knees and hips. A founding member of the Notre Dame Club of Boca Raton and former president of the Notre Dame Club of Fort Lauderdale, Ed wanted to use the Castle to showcase the persistence of South Bend.

“My time in the South Bend area shaped my life. I love coming back to the city. It's so resilient; even with setbacks like Studebaker closing and Bendix corporation relocating, it always comes back. I want this project to symbolize that strength and resilience, and I hope it makes people proud.”

Stephen Ziegler

Stephen's first visit to South Bend was in 1977 — as a one-year-old, to see a national championship team play football. He grew up in South Florida, became a business and technology consultant, taught at the college level, and founded Complicated Networks, a technology-focused consulting firm. He earned a master's degree at Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business in 2020 and serves on the board of the Notre Dame Club of Boca Raton.

“Creating a place people can visit and learn more about South Bend's rich history is one of our main goals. It's an exciting opportunity to combine my experience with historic properties and business development while enhancing downtown South Bend.”

A covenant, not just a deed

In 2012 the Castle had become an eyesore and a public-safety problem when the City of South Bend approached Indiana Landmarks. Using funds from the sale of its previous Northern Regional Office, Indiana Landmarks undertook complete exterior restoration of the c. 1888 house, garage, and grounds, preparing the way for someone else to finish the interior.

Indiana Landmarks sold the property with covenants that — along with its local historic designation — protect the building's architectural character. Proceeds from the sale fuel Indiana Landmarks' ongoing preservation work in South Bend and the surrounding region. Landmarks staff continue to occupy offices in the carriage house.

“The Zieglers' excitement about the history of the house and their vision for its new use syncs beautifully with the goal we set 10 years ago to revive this important property in a way that helps the neighborhood.”