BY KEN THOMPSON
PHOTOS PROVIDED
As Greater Lafayette grows, so does the need for affordable housing.
A handful of projects are underway to alleviate that necessity. Some repurpose land that once was home to a high school and a hospital. Another will bring new life to a historic block in downtown Lafayette. A fourth project will reside in the heart of southside Lafayette business and recreational areas.
Anvil 26 Apartments
After sitting unused for several years, a parcel located at the former Home Hospital site on S. 26th Street has been tapped as the location for the latest venture from Iron Men Properties.
“This site is perfectly located in the heart of the healthy east side of Lafayette with access to Columbian Park, Murdock Park and the businesses and retail outlets along State Road 26,” says Joe Blake, co-owner of Iron Men Properties. “The mission of Iron Men Properties is to look for opportunities to invest in ways that will benefit communities and encourage additional investment.”
Anvil 26 will have 79 units with a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two bed/two bath apartments. A garage will be provided under the apartments in addition to street-level parking behind the apartments.
Blake says prices for the units are yet to be established but he promises the rates will be similar to other new apartment projects in Lafayette.
“We expect that this property will appeal to Purdue and Ivy Tech students as well as senior citizens looking to downsize,” Blake says. “The building will be a nice place to live – nice finishes, great location, attentive management – an overall pleasant home.”
Blake says the plan is for construction to begin this winter with a projected completion date of spring/summer 2026.
“We want to add something to this corner that will be a source of pride for the community for decades to come,” he says. “I hope that we have the privilege of doing many more projects in Lafayette.”
The Jeffersonian
The Jefferson Historic District will be the site of another apartment building from Homestead Resources, which developed the Historic Jeff Senior Centre Apartments on the former high school site off N. Ninth Street.
“The Jeffersonian was an extension of our affordable housing in the community and increased the number of multi-family apartment rental units we could provide to seniors in the community,” says Morgan Hoover, associate executive director, philanthropy and marketing for Homestead Resources. “Through tax credits, philanthropic investment and government and corporate partnerships we were able to bring another 50 affordable rental units to the Greater Lafayette community.
“The neighborhood leadership is extremely strong in the historic Jeff neighborhood. They have in-depth knowledge of the neighborhood needs and a vision for what the neighbors want and desire in their community. We are honored to be a partner in the historic Jeff neighborhood’s community development and revitalization efforts.”
Seniors 55 and over along with residents who have disabilities are The Jeffersonian’s target audience.
“There is a shortage of affordable housing in the community, and one of the vulnerable populations in our community is seniors,” Hoover says. “We want to make sure seniors have the opportunity to live in a safe and affordable community that meets their needs to age in place and be connected to community amenities that improve their quality of life.”
One- and two-bedroom layouts will be made available in a smoke-free environment. Free parking will be available for residents and their caregivers.
Construction is underway with a targeted completion date of December 2025.
The old Jefferson High School may be gone but the Jeffersonian will celebrate the school’s athletic legacy with a showcase of donated Jeff sports memorabilia that will be collected throughout the next year. The gymnasium was home to three state championship basketball teams before a new high school was opened on S. 18th Street in 1969.
Anyone interested in donating sports memorabilia should contact Homestead Resources by email, marketing@homestead-resources.org.
John Purdue Block
Easily the most visible of the new housing projects, the John Purdue Block Apartments are under construction between the two bridges over the Wabash River on Second Street.
The project, a joint venture of Barrett & Stokely, Inc., and Third Street Ventures, LLC, “will set a new standard for luxury multifamily living in Indiana,” according to CEO Bryan Barrett of Barrett & Stokely.
Plans call for a blend of modern architecture and historic preservation for the six story, mixed-use structure. The John Purdue Block will offer 157 multifamily units, commercial space and residential amenities that include a pool overlooking the Wabash River and a 161-car parking garage.
The apartments will feature oversized windows, private balconies, premium finishes and high ceilings.
“The John Purdue Block development is a shining example of how public and private partnerships can shape the future of our city,” Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski says. “This project not only enhances the downtown landscape but also reinforces our commitment to sustainable economic growth. The demand for downtown living and commercial space continues to be attractive for many individuals and businesses.”
The project cost is estimated to be more than $56 million, with approximately $6 million funded through tax increment financing from the John Purdue Block Allocation Area.
Anticipated completion date is June 30, 2026.
Snowy Owl Commons
The project coming to Twyckenham Blvd. will offer 50 two-bedroom, two-bathroom units complete with an attached garage and in-unit washers and dryers.
Designed to meet the affordable housing needs of people 55 and over, Snowy Owl rents will range from $443 to $950 a month for tenants earning 30 to 80 percent Area Median Income.
Amenities will include a community building, pickleball courts and raised gardens. A trail will connect to Twyckenham Trail, which provides access to the nearby grocery store and dog park.
Snowy Owl Commons is a partnership between Area IV Development, Inc., and Keller Development, Inc. The project is expected to be completed by November 2025. Elva James, executive director for Area IV, says there is a waiting list of 250 individuals for this project. James says she hopes to send out flyers to those on the waiting list around June. Processing applications and leasing is expected to begin in August.
Snowy Owl was made possible through mixed funding opportunities to include five home units for seniors 62 and older as well as 10 units for special needs residents. Other funding is coming from the State of Indiana Development Funds, Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and City of Lafayette HOME funds. Readiness funds will assist with infrastructure development.
James says it is the corporate mission of Area IV Development, Inc., to provide affordable housing and community economic development projects that benefit low-income persons, older adults, persons with intellectual disabilities and other special needs populations who reside in mid-northwestern Indiana. ★
