LAWRENCE – Indianapolis-based Keystone Group along with the City of Lawrence Mayor’s Office and the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority (FHRA) will collaborate to bring an approximately $70 million mixed-use development to Lawrence. This facility includes 248 luxury apartments with amenities as well as 25,000 square feet of retail space. Located at the corner of 56th Street between Lawrence Village Parkway and Melner Drive it will be in the heart of Fort Ben.
The Common Council’s recent unanimous approval followed a recommendation from the city’s Redevelopment Commission to bring the project to Lawrence.
“As a leader of developing transformational neighborhood mixed-use projects, Keystone Group is excited to bring this new development with elevated retail options and high-end multi-family apartments that will complete the live, work, play vision for the 56th street corridor enhancing opportunities for the residents and many growing businesses in the community,” stated Ersal Ozdemir, Chairman of Keystone Group.
“The Keystone Group’s project will be the most ambitious private undertaking that the City of Lawrence has ever seen,” shared Jeff Vest, FHRA President. “The goal for this project is what the FHRA envisioned when the board was created in 1995 and will anchor the final portions, of the former military base, remaining to be developed.”
Construction of this project is scheduled to begin mid to late 2023.
The new development comes on the heels of the development of the Fort Ben Cultural Campus, which recently won two awards from the Indy Chamber Monumental Awards. They won for Public Art and Innovative Reuse. The campus officially opened in June 2021, and boasts Theater at the Fort, the Musical Swings, public art, a visual arts center, history walk, and ampitheater. The Fort Ben Cultural Campus is located on Otis Ave. and Post Rd., just a few blocks north of 56th St.