Noblesville city officials and Rebar Development broke ground Wednesday afternoon on a project that the city says will strengthen the downtown and provide commercial space, modern apartment homes, and a parking garage in the heart of Noblesville. The Levinson, a $24.3 million mixed-use public-private project, includes the first new downtown apartments to be built in more than a century.
“When we announced the Noblesville NOW capital improvement plan, one of our top objectives was to enhance the downtown by attracting more residents and to add more parking. Today, we started the process of completing that objective,” said Mayor John Ditslear. “The Levinson will help bring urban density to our downtown square to support local businesses, restaurants and shops. In addition to meeting several goals in the city’s comprehensive master plan, the Levinson will attract additional downtown development interest and set a high bar for quality.”
The Levinson includes 75 market-rate and 10 affordable-rate studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with a 6,500 square-foot third floor courtyard and contemporary amenities. It also includes 5,000 square feet of commercial space including a restaurant along Ninth Street. Rebar’s design team has incorporated historic features similar to neighboring buildings that include a diamond pattern, limestone banding, a stone base, arched windows and cornices. The 1950s-era City Hall sign that faced Eighth Street, as well as much of the brick work from the former structures facing Ninth Street, will be preserved and used as part of the Levinson’s interior. The building is anticipated to open in the fall of 2020.
Calling Noblesville a “gem”, Rebar Development President Shelby Bowen remarked how the Levinson will help grow the downtown. (Photo provided)
“We are grateful to be a part of such an important project for the City of Noblesville,” said Rebar Development President Shelby Bowen. “Downtown Noblesville is an extraordinary gem in Central Indiana and we know people are going to be excited about living in the heart of such great walkable amenities like nearly 20 restaurants, dozens of cool shops, trails, festivals, yoga, farmers markets, parks, ice skating, concerts and so much more.”
The Levinson also includes a four-level, 300-space parking garage. A minimum of 200 spaces will be available for paid public parking – a net gain of 130 parking spaces over the previous lot’s public capacity.
“We have long believed a public parking garage is an essential component to address parking challenges and to sustain and enhance a vibrant downtown. Through this public-private project, we more than double the number of current off-street public parking options,” said Noblesville Chamber of Commerce President Bob DuBois, who also leads the parking task force committee.
The Levinson is named after one of the pioneer families in Noblesville. Nationally known attorney, S. O. Levinson, donated his family’s former homestead to the city in 1938. A portion of the land was used as the former City Hall site before becoming a public parking lot. The project is bordered by Eighth and Ninth streets, Maple Avenue and the alley south of Conner Street.
“As the family’s success and contributions were a source of pride in our community long ago, so too will this building named after them. The Levinson is the right project in the right location. The look and name pays homage to downtown’s history as we prepare for the next 150 years,” Ditslear said.
In July 2018, the city announced its Noblesville NOW capital improvement plan with the 10 priority projects for 2018 to 2023. The Levinson is part of the downtown development portion to introduce multi-family apartments. Other priorities include relieving traffic congestion, improving connectivity via roads and trails, and addressing the needs of public safety. For more information and updates, visit NoblesvilleNOW.com.