LIBERTY TOWER
Liberty Tower stands as a defining feature of downtown South Bend, Indiana, both for its height and its long, evolving history. Completed in 1970, the 25-story skyscraper reaches 332 feet and remains the tallest building in the city. Originally built as the American National Bank Building, it was later renamed the Valley National Bank Building and has served various purposes over the decades. With its modernist design and concrete façade accented in teal, the building was once a symbol of South Bend’s mid-century ambitions.
In its early years, Liberty Tower included a 220-space parking garage across its second through eighth floors, and its top floor became home to the Summit Club, a private dining and social venue that operated for 41 years before closing in 2012. At one point, a Holiday Inn also occupied space in the tower, reflecting its early role as a multi-use facility. Over time, however, occupancy declined and the building fell into disrepair. A water leak in 2015 forced evacuation, highlighting the need for major investment.
That investment came with a $40 million renovation that brought an Aloft Hotel into the building. The addition of the WXYZ Lounge on the ground floor, along with updated mechanical systems and repairs to the parking structure, marked the beginning of the tower’s revival. Though the property had gone into foreclosure in 2011, new development efforts have continued in the years since.
Now entering its final phase of redevelopment, Liberty Tower is the focus of a $14.7 million project that aims to transform the upper floors into 90 residential apartments. A new public space, including a lounge or bar on the seventh floor, is also part of the plan. These improvements are being supported by city funding and tax abatements, as part of a broader effort to boost downtown housing and revitalize underused properties.
Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of 2025. The ongoing transformation of Liberty Tower is not just about saving a building—it represents a larger shift in South Bend’s approach to urban renewal. By blending hospitality, housing, and public amenities in a single iconic structure, the project underscores how older buildings can be reinvented to meet modern needs while preserving their place in the city’s architectural landscape.
