Downtown area

With North America's first artificial whitewater course and South Bend's first city park, the East Bank Village epitomizes the vitality of an urban downtown neighborhood.

The East Bank Village, including the East Washington Street Historic District and Howard Park Historic District, is home to one of the South Bend's most lively and eclectic retail areas.

"This is a fascinating and vibrant little neighborhood," said a woman who lives and works here. "We have some interesting mixes in our area. There are young families, long-time residents and Notre Dame students."

The East Bank includes shops where owners famously bring their dogs to work. There are eateries like Barnaby's Restaurant, judged the favorite pizza of South Bend Tribune readers for six years running; the Parkview Tavern; Corby's (featured in the movie, Rudy) and the riverfront Emporium Restaurant. It boasts one-of-a-kind chances for shopping and entertainment, including the Mole Hole, Marigolds, Buttons & Bows, and The Shops at Hill and Colfax - Circa Arts, Piser Designs and Inspire Me!

Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church and School anchor the neighborhood. Sunnyside Presbyterian Church's 1923 Neoclassical-style sanctuary at the corner of Frances and Washington is an outstanding contributor to East Washington's historic designation as is Zion United Church of Christ's building in Howard Park. 

In the historic districts, you will find home styles such as American foursquare, Free Classic, Tudor Revival and Dutch Colonial Revival. They line broad, brick-paved East Washington Street between Eddy Street and St. Louis Boulevard.

The neighborhood is home to some of the most desirable apartment housing in South Bend.  The Pointe offers upscale apartments on the island between the St. Joseph River and the East Race, and Stephenson Mills features urban lofts in a former wool mill.

The heart of downtown South Bend is a short, pedestrian-friendly walk just across the river, and a trolley takes East Bank residents around the downtown area and to the University of Notre Dame. The East Bank Village also boasts the East Race Waterway, the first artificial whitewater course in North America, as well as Seitz Park and Howard Park. The Farmers Market is just south of the neighborhood along the river.

East Bank Village is home to fabulous old historic homes, both restored and needing restoration, as well as new construction. Weiss Homes, long headquartered on Jefferson Street, has converted its massive home-style office at the corner of Notre Dame Avenue into lofts and built new boulevard homes to the south. Those homes sold from $180,000 to $270,000.

The fabulous new East Bank Townhomes on the river have sold very well. Foundations are laid, and they should take shape in the spring. They start at $250,000 and go up to $330,000 if you want a rooftop garden. Only two are left.

The neighborhood has something for everyone. "I like how diverse it is," said a Notre Dame graduate student, who moved in three years ago and also works downtown. "I like the mix of commercial and residential. I love the location. It's bikeable everywhere. You can easily survive in the neighborhood without a car."

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Department of Community & Economic Development
Division of Community Development
227 W. Jefferson Boulevard • Suite 1200 S
South Bend, IN  46601
574.235.9660 • Fax: 574.235.9469