GM Stamping Plant Redevelopment

GM Stamping Plant Redevelopment Indianapolis, Indiana

Services Provided

Development Planning
Urban Design
Placemaking

People Involved

Eric Lucas
Aaron Kowalski

Transforming post-industrial land into a river-centered community for living, playing, and innovating.

For the first time since its founding, Indianapolis is bridging downtown density to the west bank of the White River. The City of Indianapolis has long sought to activate the 93-acre former GM Stamping Plant, which was shuttered in 2011. In 2020, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) purchased the land to create a new home for Elanco Animal Health, the world’s second-largest animal health company. This anchor institution will be surrounded by riverfront park amenities, higher education institutions, and a walkable residential community that attracts and retains young talent.

MKSK has been working hand-in-hand with the IEDC since 2021 to prepare plans for the site that respect the established Valley neighborhood, promote synergy in the animal health industry, and foster communal living based on biking, walking, and transit. Mixed-use development promotes shared experiences to attract an underrepresented group of young city dwellers who are highly educated, environmentally minded, and seamlessly integrated with technology in all aspects of life.

Dense development with river views dialogues with the downtown core, while a signature vantage point across the rock flat toward downtown ensures that this property will be regularly featured in images of Indianapolis. Located just across the river from Lucas Oil Stadium, the Convention Center, and the future Indy Eleven Park, this development will host visitors looking to stay within walking distance of the downtown core while participating in a residential community with 150 years of history. Density steps down from the riverfront to embrace the historic neighborhood fabric and provide varied scales of living spaces.

MKSK is involved in bringing master plan components to life in design and documentation of public infrastructure and park projects. Built works projects underway include:

  • Redesign of historic White River Parkway, a part of the Kessler Parks and Boulevards Plan for Indianapolis (1909)

  • Henry Street, the primary east to west connection with downtown, featuring a new bridge over White River

  • White River State Park Expansion, part of a planned 15+ acre public space for gathering and recreation along White River.