The Purdue University Board of Trustees endorsed a comprehensive conceptual campus master plan for Indianapolis, detailing a blueprint designed to transform Purdue’s urban expansion of its main campus that supports industry partnership, research and experiential learning eventually for up to 15,000 students.
Coinciding with the first anniversary of the launch of Purdue University in Indianapolis, the master plan outlines the 50-year picture for Purdue’s presence in the capital city, envisioning 16 new buildings on 28 acres with 4.5 million gross square feet to support up to 5,320 total university residence beds and an enrollment of 15,000 students.
“The first major step in the master plan is already underway with the recent groundbreaking for the Academic Success Building, which will serve as a cutting-edge hub for students to gain hands-on training, connect with corporate partners and engage with the surrounding community,” said Michael B. Cline, Purdue’s senior vice president for administrative operations.
A major anchor for Purdue’s expansion in Indianapolis, the Academic Success Building is a 15-floor, redbrick facility with classrooms, laboratories, dining and housing, as well as space for community and local high schools’ use. Construction is underway on the facility near Michigan and West streets and will be complete in May 2027.
“The master plan for building the future for Purdue’s first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis is the product of numerous meetings and feedback sessions with faculty, staff, students and the community,” said Jay Wasson, Purdue’s vice president for physical facilities and chief public safety officer. “These meetings took place over many months, and the resulting plan will provide the framework for future campus growth and development.”
The overarching goals of the plan emphasize investing in teaching, research and collaboration spaces; creating student life hubs with a network of open spaces; and embracing the local and historical context of this area of the capital city.
Conceptual rendering of the long-term vision of Purdue’s expansion in Indianapolis from the corner of West and Michigan streets. (Rendering by Ayers Saint Gross and Depiction)
By focusing on these key strategies, Purdue will be positioned to elevate the university’s overall identity and brand in Indianapolis. Further, the bold master plan cements Purdue’s promising future, which will be built on strong educational foundations, powerful partnerships with business leaders and a focus on innovation and economic development for Indianapolis and all of Indiana.
The “2025 Campus Master Plan: A Vision for 50 Years of Giant Leaps in Indianapolis” reflects the following six guiding principles:
The plan positions Purdue to provide a vibrant residential experience that embraces neighbors and the Indianapolis community, and it outlines a flexible phased strategy for implementation aimed at furthering the integral expansion of the West Lafayette location.
Purdue has established 10 physical locations across the capital city to date. These include strategic partnerships and shared spaces with industry leaders such as Elanco, Dallara, SpectronRx and others. In addition, the university has cultivated relationships with 55 companies to provide students with internship, co-op, research and career opportunities. These collaborations span sectors such as biosciences, tech innovation, pharmaceuticals and engineering, aligning student preparation with employer needs.
“Rather than a single hub, Purdue is weaving into the fabric of the city’s innovation and industry corridors, expanding from downtown all the way to the northwest side of Indianapolis,” said David Umulis, Purdue’s senior vice provost for Indianapolis. “By blending academic rigor with real-world impact and community connection, Purdue is redefining what it means to have a 21st century urban research presence.”
