Carpenter House hasn’t been a residence since the 1930s, when descendants of businessman and philanthropist Willard Carpenter sold the Greek Revival home to the American Legion Funkhauser Post 8. Ownership passed hands several times before WNIN moved out in 2016. As the house sat vacant, disrepair set in.
When real estate broker Theresa Catanese and her husband, Frank, toured the house in 2023, they found dry-rotted front doors held in place with brackets, windows with cracked or missing glass, and significant water damage. “The only good thing was the roof,” Theresa laughs. “But it had good bones” and was perfect for housing her growing real estate business.
Papers were signed May 19, 2023, but the situation had greatly changed the two days prior. Overnight on May 17, a fire destroyed much of the old Pearl Cleaners next door; while the flames were contained to the former dry cleaning site, water from firefighting flooded the Carpenter House’s basement.
The Cataneses — no strangers to the construction industry — have made it their mission to restore the home’s charm while making crucial updates. A new HVAC unit was installed on each floor. Modern furniture is mixed with old books, fabric wall hangings, and antique radiators. Three vibrant pieces of stained glass by late University of Southern Indiana art professor John McNaughton are set in the inner front door.
As a nationally registered historic place, there are restrictions on what renovations are allowed. “I called Downtown Evansville, and they connected me with a guy from Saint Louis. He was able to save some of the original glass in the windows and replaced the front doors,” Theresa says.
Now, Catanese Real Estate’s 22 agents occupy 16,000 square feet across the first and second floors. Guests are greeted by a large porch, minimalist landscaping, and a cream-colored paint on the exterior stucco.
Under dentil crown moulding, former family and dining rooms are transformed into tastefully appointed conference rooms. The fireplace in Theresa’s office is one of four left of the original eight. Another fireplace in her daughter Catie’s office includes cast iron features. Awaiting redecorating, Catie’s office also sports bright wallpaper from the 1980s and dusty rose drapes from the 1970s. The first-floor annex looks the most modern with its gray carpet, sleek cabinetry, and open concept.
More renovations are coming, but Theresa is taking her time. “The vision is to renovate the second and third floors for more agents,” she says. “We’ll probably start that this coming winter.”
