Box Factory Aims to Connect North Mass Ave Neighborhood
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA century-old building is getting new life on the near northeast side of downtown Indianapolis. It started as the U.S. Corrugated Box Company in 1912 and eventually became Lacy Diversified Industries in the 1970s, then sat empty for more than two decades. Now, Pure Development Inc. has transformed the building into a mixed-use development now called the Box Factory, located adjacent to the Mass Ave cultural district with sustainability in mind. “With the entire North Mass District, we really had this idea we loved, which is that new ideas need old buildings and that’s precisely what we’ve done with this historic redevelopment the Box Factory,” said Adam Seger, principal of development for Pure Development.
Seger discussed the real estate development firm’s vision for the project in an interview on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick.
“It attracted North Mass Boulder, a 50,000-square-foot bouldering gym, a cafe, Top Out Cafe, a coworking space and that fresh idea really was available here at this older warehouse space,” said Seger. “We view this as we’re reconnecting the neighborhoods through a vibrant new district where these new ideas can have old buildings and thrive.”
North Mass Boulder is billed as the largest bouldering gym in the U.S. with large climbing terrain and a climbing training area, as well as a yoga studio and fitness studio. Seger says having such a tenant included alongside office space is the future of placemaking.
“That’s where people want to live and work. People want to be active with work in mind and so that’s what we’re extremely excited about,” said Seger.
Seger says the goal for the Box Factory is to serve as a nexus point, connecting surrounding neighborhoods into the Mass Ave district.
“We see the reconnection of Lewis Street from 10th to 16th, an upgrade of the Monon Trail, [and] a development in our district by [property management group] Becovic that’s coming to plan. We’re going to have 40 acres here of really active lifestyle placemaking for the neighborhoods around, and then a connection through the Cultural Trail…throughout the city.”