Have you ever wanted to live near downtown without the high costs of rent? How about living in a baseball stadium?
Now residents have a chance to do both, thanks to the new Stadium Lofts apartments located on West 16th Street, not far from the campuses of IUPUI and Wishard Hospital.
Stadium Lofts is located in a building that was known as Bush Stadium, where many people developed fond memories while attending Indianapolis Indians baseball games.
Applications are now being accepted for studio, one bedroom and two-bedroom units at Stadium Lofts, which will be ready for move-in this summer.
“We are very excited to be able to save this landmark while also providing a new option for those who would like the convenience of living in this area,” said Maggie Mallory, property manager for Stadium Lofts, which is owned by Core Redevelopment.
All units include a full size washer and dryer, and optional amenities are available such as modern cherry kitchen cabinets with stainless steel appliances, polished concrete floors, patios and balconies and unique loft floor plans.
Residents will also be able to use a fitness facility, private meeting rooms and a common area. Stadium Lofts will maintain the feel of a baseball field, with the new lobby being where the ticket office was, and the original tall light towers, press box and scoreboard being kept for added effect.
Bush Stadium was the home of the Triple-A International League champion Indianapolis Indians from 1931 until 1996, when the club moved to Victory Field. It was also where home games were played by the Indianapolis Clowns, a famous professional team that won the championship of the American Negro League and once included stars such as Hank Aaron. Known by many as baseball’s answer to the Harlem Globetrotters, it was also the first team to include female players.
Following the departure of the Indians from Bush Stadium, then Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George temporarily rented the facility for midget auto racing. It was also used to store local cars traded in to the federal government’s Cash for Clunkers program.
In the meantime, however, the stadium fell into disrepair, and local officials were not exactly sure what to do with the aging historic property. In 2011 Core Redevelopment presented the idea of developing the 15-acre Bush Stadium site into an apartment complex with 138 units.
“You’ll have the look of suites at the baseball stadium, with balconies overlooking green space that will be 400 feet from where home plate is to the outfield wall,” said John Watson, owner of Core Redevelopment.
Stadium Lotfs’ $13 million makeover will be completed by August, with units ranging in price from $599 a month to $1,200.
Until then, potential residents and even those who just want to see how the project is turning out are welcome to arrange a guided tour of the structure while work takes place. “We invite everyone to come see us and take a tour,” Mallory said. “There’s a lot of nostalgia tied to Bush Stadium and we welcome every opportunity to show the new apartments off.”
Stadium Lofts’ opening is part of the “16 Tech” plan developed by city officials and business and community leaders to attract companies, build new housing and improve landscaping in the area near downtown that is bordered by 10th Street to the south, 16th Street to the north, Fall Creek to the east and the White River to the west.
“We would really like to get connected to the neighborhood once we get settled,” said Mallory. “Within five years this whole area is going to be amazing.”
For more information about Stadium Loft apartments, call (317) 632-4011 or visit coreredevelopment.com. Apply in person at 101 S. Harding St.
