Mark & Chad Banschbach Are the New Owners of the Courtyard in Rising Sun

They will undertake the historic renovation of the Courtyard Restaurant and row houses located along Front Street & Fourth Street in downtown Rising Sun, Indiana adjacent to the Ohio River.

Photo Provided

(Rising Sun, IN) - The City of Rising Sun Mayor Steve Slack announced today that Mark & Chad Banschbach of Courtyard LLC, as the new owners of the Courtyard in Rising Sun. They will undertake the historic renovation of the Courtyard Restaurant and row houses located along Front Street & Fourth Street in downtown Rising Sun, Indiana adjacent to the Ohio River.

The Courtyard, a historic gem located in downtown Rising Sun. Originally constructed along the Ohio River in 1827 by Shadrach Hathaway as a general store, the property evolved over the decades to include row houses built in the 1830s by Pinkney James and Abel C. Pepper. These structures, which once housed a bustling inn and restaurant, have played a pivotal role in shaping the historic riverfront and cultural character of Rising Sun.

However, years of partial vacancy and aging deterioration led to its inclusion on the Indiana Landmarks Top 10 Most Endangered properties list in 2018. This designation underscores the urgent need for preservation-minded efforts to invest in and restore treasured historic buildings.

The Courtyard features a spot for housing and a restaurant on the Ohio River combined with a high historical value for the city. Investments into 

The Banschbach’s were the 1st to come up with a purchase investment goal, restoration plan and a tangible request. Led by Mayor Steve Slack, Rising Sun City Council, Ohio County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Rising Sun Revolving Loan Fund Board (RLF) and the Banschbach family worked diligently together to pursue an action plan that was doable because of the importance of rescue, preservation and revitalization necessary for the historic Courtyard and Rising Sun.

Significant restoration improvements estimated at $1.2 million on the Courtyard include renovating 13 residential units, address foundation & floor stabilization, roofing, windows, doors, HVAC, electric, tuckpointing, painting, façade improvements, creation of additional office space and a viable restaurant facility for operations in the beloved Courtyard restaurant.

Mike Northcutt, President of Ohio County Economic Development Corporation recalled “We hadn’t done a project in town for a while. We have good members that were waiting for a good investment project. It was the easiest project I ever proposed. City Council voted on a support resolution for the EDC. It didn’t take much with overwhelming support from the Mayor, City Council, Ohio County EDC and Rising Sun RLF.”

Mayor Slack shared, “It’s taken time, but I knew it was going to work somehow, and we got it done. It’s a big relief. Our faith in Mark with his restoration history on other properties, as a contractor who knows the ropes, owner of Top-Quality Building Products and experienced concept of construction work like he has was worth it for the City. In the end, this is the right guy and group of people to revitalize the Courtyard. Start to finish.”

“The simple fact… The simple solution to success on this project is that I care,” explains Mark Banschbach. “My vision for the property has always remained the same through the acquisition, preservation, restoration and the final outcome. When most people look at old historic properties, they see a liability. We see potential. I have been fortunate to secure two prominent Top 10 Most Endangered landmark properties for restoration in Aurora and Rising Sun. I’m confident that the second turns out as well as the first and I am proud to be entrusted with the revitalization of the Courtyard in partnership with the City of Rising Sun, City Council, Ohio County Economic Development Corporation and the Rising Sun Revolving Loan Fund Board.”

Chad Banschbach, Marks son and partner in this endeavor who has his own inventory of historic property investments, shared that the family is “committed to revitalizing the property and preserving its unique character all while creating a space that benefits the community. We want to honor the building’s storied past and ensure it remains a cherished landmark in Rising Sun for future generations.”

Mayor Slack states, “We are thrilled to find common ground. I’m so excited about all this; it’s been quite a project! City Council, the Ohio County EDC and Rising Sun RLF easily did the right thing with immediate approval. This project is that important to everyone. I’m proud of them. We didn’t have to budget additional funds as we utilized available funds that were waiting for a justifiable project. Working together, we came up with a plan. We are thankful for the Banschbach family to invest in our community and for saving something so historic.”

Mark and Guinevere Banschbach demonstrated the transformative power of historic preservation through their award-winning restoration of the Speakman House. This Greek Revival masterpiece, built in 1846, was once listed on the Indiana Landmarks Top 10 Most Endangered properties list in 2017. The Banschbach's restoration efforts have not only saved the 17-room residence from disrepair but also revitalized it as a home, community gathering space and a beacon of local history. Their work on the Speakman House has garnered widespread acclaim including a prestigious OCRA Historic Renovation Grant and in 2024 was listed on the National Historic Registry of Historic Places.