Holy Cow! Indy Ballpark Transformed by Unique Adaptive Re-Use Project

The conversion of an historic art deco baseball stadium in Indianapolis into loft apartments is one of the most inventive adaptive re-use projects we've ever seen.

1 minute read

March 26, 2013, 5:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Sitting at the edge of Indianapolis' burgeoning 16 Tech district, "a formerly industrial area now housing many of Indianapolis’ technology and life sciences companies," abandoned Bush Stadium (1931) was a prime candidate for redevelopment. Rather than tear down the historic art deco ballpark, Indianapolis-based Heartland Design is working on a "creative adaptive reuse project will fill its grandstand not with fans but with loft apartments," reports Branden Klayko.

“'We preserved quite a bit of the stadium,' said James Cordell, principal at Heartland, noting his belief that the project is the first conversion of a stadium to housing. 'It’s just a very unusual thing to do'.”

The $22 million Stadium Lofts project, which is due to open to residents this August, has found inventive ways to incorporate the stadium's unique shape in its varied apartment layouts. "The design [also] preserves the stadium’s quirky features and iconic elements, including its old scoreboard, press box, and lighting towers. Ticket booths and offices are being converted into common areas. The baseball diamond, remade in earth-tone concrete and grass, remains as a green space for residents."

Monday, March 25, 2013 in The Architect's Newspaper

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business