Apartments, commercial real estate next phase for Purdue’s Discovery Park District development

Browning and J.C. Hart officials announce mixed-use development to include about 250 apartments and 15,000 square feet of commercial space. 

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Officials of Browning Investments LLC and J.C. Hart Co. Inc. announced Tuesday (April 30) a joint venture to develop about 250 apartments and 15,000 square feet of street-level commercial space in Discovery Park District, a 400-acre $1 billion-plus development that will transform the west side of the Purdue University campus.

The ground floor commercial space is designed to accommodate a diverse mix of uses including restaurants, cafes, convenience retail and soft goods shops. The mixed-use project is located near the corner of State Street and McCutcheon Drive in West Lafayette, Indiana, making it within walking distance of grocery shops, parks, bike paths and Purdue University cultural activities.

The three-acre apartment and commercial development aligns with the long-term plan for the Discovery Park District to grow into a thriving, walkable, urban setting where innovators, entrepreneurs, students, researchers and thought leaders can create, congregate, collaborate and commercialize.

Map indicates the area planned for the luxury apartments in Purdue’s Discovery Park District, a $1 billion project to transform the west side of the Purdue University campus. (Image provided by Browning) Download image

“This new development fits perfectly with the master plan vision to bring mixed-use development and a wider range of housing types to the west edge of campus,” said Adam Chavers, Browning’s chief development officer.

The new development will be located in the district’s core along the south edge of State Street in West Lafayette, Indiana.

“The new  housing and commercial space joins the three other projects currently under development in Discovery Park District and will contribute to our master plan of providing a strong community for residents, students and visitors to the West Lafayette area,” said Rich Michal, vice president and chief facilities officer for Purdue Research Foundation, which is partnering on the district master planning and development with Browning.

Other projects already under development in Discovery Park District are:

• Aspire, a three-building, 831-bed apartment community, is slated to open in early August.
• Convergence, a 145,000-square-foot, five-story mixed-use building that will connect Purdue University research, industry and investors and support collaborative research, licensing and startup creation, is slated to open in early 2020.
• SEL Purdue, a 100,000-square-foot facility for electric power research that will support up to 300 new high-tech jobs, is slated to open in 2020.

“By bringing much-needed one- and two-bedroom apartments to Discovery Park District, we see this not just as a great opportunity in a great location, but also as a chance to be part of something truly beneficial to Purdue and the entire Lafayette community,” said Todd May, vice president of development at J.C. Hart. “This development is setting a high standard for innovation districts, and we’re excited to be a part of it.”

Groundbreaking for the project is expected to take place this year, and it is expected to accept its first residents in 2021. J.C. Hart will manage the building.

About Discovery Park District

Discovery Park District is a 400-acre mixed-use planned development to transform the west side of Purdue University. Discovery Park District supports Purdue’s mission, expands the area’s knowledge-based economy and enhances the quality of life in Greater Lafayette. The Purdue Research Foundation has partnered with Browning Investments LLC for the master planning and development of the district. More at www.discoveryparkdistrict.com.

About Browning

Browning changes skylines and communities by developing, building and managing game-changing commercial real estate projects. With a reputation for executing large transactions and complex projects, the firm’s diversified portfolio includes market-leading industrial, office, mixed-use, healthcare, life science and higher education projects. Established in 1977, Browning is based in Indianapolis. More at www.browninginv.com.

About J.C. Hart Company Inc.

For 40 years, the J.C. Hart has been developing, building, and managing distinctive apartment communities. More at www.homeisjchart.com.

About Purdue Research Foundation

The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Established in 1930, the foundation accepts gifts; administers trusts; funds scholarships and grants; acquires property; protects Purdue's intellectual property; and promotes entrepreneurial activities on behalf of Purdue. The foundation manages the Purdue Foundry, Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization, Purdue Research Park and Purdue Technology Centers. The foundation received the 2016 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Innovation from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. For more information about funding and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org. 

Media contacts: 

Jen Thomas, JTPR, 317-441-2487, jen@jtprinc.com