In 2015, w/purpose was invited to lead the design for a new $13 Million dollar “retro†rehab intends to transform into the former Williamson Candy Factory into a 4-floor, mixed-use game changer for this N.E. Corridor Gateway.
The updated structure includes 49 affordable and market rate one and two bedroom apartments, an 1,800 square foot green roof, a furnished space for public events, an onsite fitness facility, and a job training center. The project was funded using QAP tax credits and is anticipated to inject new life into the surrounding neighborhood.
Early in the design of Overlook at the Fairgrounds, an important goal of the team was the careful preservation of the existing Homer J Williamson Candy Factory, all while introducing a bold, relevant, and compatible adaptive reuse and new construction project. As a theme, Overlook at the Fairgrounds new design needed to advance the rhythm and spirit of the existing Art Moderne factory. Early massings focused on long horizontal lines, unique roof lines, and forms that met the demands of an today’s urban living. In this way, the challenges of integration with the original 38th Street facade needed to do more than inspire a community, but instead, ensure a new development ideology would be established around historic preservation, public art, and community stabilization.
The Williamson Factory, its public transformation, and advocacy was carried out by Indianapolis design studio w/purpose. Their adventurous and playful process teased out a number of possible flavours for the former candy factory. It was clear listening to residents that the new development needed both a youthful kick and strong connection to infrastructure and quality of life elements. Its design needed to speak to multiple contextual forces, urban elements, and speeds. The thrill of combining a new residential program with gateway status and historic preservation is what prompted the multiple iterations, roof forms, massings, and color studies before settling on a final design in January 2015.
Development Concept
Early in the design of Overlook at the Fairgrounds, an important goal of the team was the careful preservation of the existing Homer J Williamson Candy Factory, all while introducing a bold, relevant, and compatible adaptive reuse and new construction project. Â Â The ultimate decision to preserve the historic Art Modern Factory facade solidified the project’s direction and protected a critical design typology that now belongs to the N.E. Corridor gateway and community.
As a theme, Overlook at the Fairgrounds new design needed to advance the rhythm and spirit of the existing Art Moderne factory. Â Early massings focused on long horizontal lines, unique roof lines, and forms that met the demands of an today’s urban living. Â In this way, the challenges of integration with the original 38th Street facade needed to do more than inspire a community, but instead, ensure a new development ideology would be established around historic preservation, public art, and community stabilization. BWI and their Development Team set a high standard for ensuring the building and its architecture were one of a kind and noteworthy.
Fall Creek Art Canvas Summary:
As part of the area revitalization effort of the area, the now “Overlook at the Fairgrounds†looked to contribute to the Fall Creek Trailhead initiative and its commitment in a larger Quality of Life Program.  an inspired team of area residents, non profits, businesses, and designers all came together for the purposes of educating a larger public about the importance of the area’s natural assets – specifically Fall Creek Waterway.
Our mission was to develop a highly visual story that would highlight the importance of nature in our community’s future.  Together, the collaboration, developed a public art canvas and mural (40’x30’) that can be widely seen and experienced for years to come.
The commissioned artist team, including Artist Will Watson and w/purpose completed the project in March 2017.  At its core the project explores nature, ideas of conservation, and diversity of local resources. It challenges the community to reconnect with natural resources and channels a “sweet†energy of the former Factory.
Design Team:
Developer: BWI
Construction Management: Keystone Construction
Architect of Record: R&B Architects
Design Lead: w/purpose, LLC
Historic Preservation: R&B Architects
Landscape Architect: Blue Marble
Civil Engineer: Elements Engineering
Total Sqft: 89,136 SQ. FT.