By Libertina Brandt

Matt Morarity was living in Indianapolis when he decided to invest in a fixer-upper. He purchased a circa-1882 Italianate-style house in the city's Old Northside neighborhood for $300,000 in 2008.

The exterior was painted a two-toned brown color with dark green trim. "It looked like a state park building," says Morarity, who oversees product development for an Indianapolis-based real-estate company.

Morarity, who declined to share his age, wanted to pay homage to the home's Victorian architecture. He chose to paint it yellow so it would stand out from other homes on the street.

"The yellow and the cream trim, and the black encasements, were chosen to make all of the architectural features stand out," says Morarity. His neighbor, who works for a local news station, told him he can see the house from the news helicopter.

Opulent and extravagant

Pocket doors, crown moldings, hardwood floors and fireplaces are among the home's original features.

Morarity gave the house a Roaring Twenties aesthetic. He included metallic gold paint in many of the rooms and installed custom-made stained-glass windows. He also sourced antique furnishings from around the U.S. and Europe, like a circa-1800s hand-carved dining room table from Germany's Bavarian Forest.

The furniture in the home can be purchased for an additional, negotiated price, says Morarity.

A host with the most

Morarity entertains in the home at least once a month. "You can easily have 20 plus people on the main floor," he says. Updates to the house include a billiards room with a ceiling made of gold-painted tin tile, as well as a wine cellar.

Some of Morarity's favorite gatherings include a murder mystery party he hosted a few years ago and a casino party on New Year's Eve. He has also hosted wine tastings.

Can't-miss features

Morarity created a backyard oasis by installing a pool, a patio and tropical greenery, which includes pineapple plants and more than 100 banana trees from Hawaii.

Reason for selling?

Morarity has decided to sell because he's ready to take on a new project. "This one is more than complete," he says.

Market snapshot

The Old Northside neighborhood is known for its restored historic homes, according to listing agent Amy Spillman with Compass.

The most expensive home for sale in the city spans roughly 13,500 square feet and is asking $7.75 million, according to Zillow. The city's most expensive home sale traded for $14.5 million in 2022.

Write to Libertina Brandt at Libertina.Brandt@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 13, 2025 15:15 ET (19:15 GMT)

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