Colloquially known as Indy by its residents, the city of Indianapolis is a busy, densely populated area in the Midwest, standing as the 15th most populous city in the United States. Considering how the place is jam-packed with opportunities in almost every sector — from manufacturing to wholesale trade — it’s no wonder why folks flock to the city. But more than that, it also gathers foot traffic for its rich culture and history. For starters, Indy is home to the world’s largest children’s museum and is perhaps best known for hosting the Indianapolis 500, the world’s largest single-day sporting event. 

There’s never a dull moment in Indianapolis. It’s one of the best places to live in Indiana and many young professionals and families flock to the city to enjoy the many opportunities it has to offer. This is why good housing in the area is always in demand. To help you discover the best multifamily architects in Indianapolis, we have compiled a list here for you. This list was created based on the architects’ background, their design process, the quality of their projects, and their recognition in the business.

Axis Architecture

618 E. Market St., Indianapolis, IN 46202

Founded in 1995, Indianapolis-based Axis Architecture set out with a goal of elevating design. Now, more than 25 years later, Axis Architecture has 30 staff members around the world, designing outstanding buildings for sectors like civic, corporate, healthcare, industrial, retail, and of course, housing.

The firm is led by principals Kevin Cooper Assoc. American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Drew White FAIA Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). Kevin takes the reins at Axis with design and empowering leadership. He currently serves on the Rose-Hulman Board of Associates and is an AIA member. Meanwhile, Drew has an extensive career in architecture, working in Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago. From his diverse experience, he has learned the deep value of design. Drew was also a former regional representative to the National AIA Strategic Council, was the past president of AIA Indiana and AIA Indianapolis, and is currently a board member of the Indianapolis Art Center and a member of the Ball State University Architecture Advisory Board.

With such strong leadership at the helm, Axis Architecture runs a practice that is as innovative as it is personal, always taking into account the experience of the end-user and the value that the building will have to its community. This is especially evident in The Mosaic, the fourth phase of the Artistry Apartment community. This 60,447-square-foot building is LEED Silver certified and has 54 units with varying sizes, ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. Moreover, for the convenience of the residents, the corridors in this five-story building directly connect to individual parking facility levels.

One 10 Studio

200 S. Meridian St. #301, Indianapolis, IN 46225

One 10 Studio prides itself in its collaborative and engaging service. Client participation is crucial in the design process, and this open studio invites its clients to be part of the journey from start to finish to truly capture the vision that they want out of the building. It is through this working relationship that One 10 Studio can develop its distinctive quality and personality that all culminate to produce a project that cares for both the client expectations and the users’ experience with the building.

One example of the firm’s work is the Irvington Lofts project featured below. This was built within an Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission district and thus pays homage to the surrounding neighborhood while still maintaining its distinctly modern edge. The project contains 50 affordable housing units that split up into two buildings and embrace an urban courtyard that stimulates tenant engagement with the community. Not only that, but Irvington Lofts also incorporates sustainable features like a community garden, a vegetated green roof, a stormwater collection cistern, and a photovoltaic array.

What makes this project stand out, however, is its high-end design that sets a standard for affordable community housing that cares for its residents and the community at large. This project ended up winning several awards including the 2017 AIA Indianapolis Citation Award, the 2015 Lt. Governor’s Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing – Urban, the 2015 AIA Indiana Honor Award, the 2014 Indy Chamber Monumental Award Merit Award for the Neighborhood Revitalization category and the Real Estate Development category.

Studio M 

2 W. Main St., Carmel, IN 46032

Studio M is an up-and-coming architecture firm focused on mixed-use buildings, public work projects, and university buildings. Although Studio M is a relatively fresh firm at 8 years old, it’s anchored on established practices as set forth by its founder, Dan Moriarity, who has more than 27 years of experience as a Principal and General Manager during his time working at one of the city’s largest architectural firms. He founded Studio M with a vision of gathering dedicated design professionals to cultivate a talented and light-hearted practice towards the built environment to truly enrich the places we live, work, and play in.

With an office in Carmel led by Nick Alexander, and an office in Broad Ripple led by Josh Mazur, through small focused teams, it has the ability to focus on the details to make sure that everything adds up to a meaningful project. One staunch example of that is the River House pictured below. This 121,55-square-foot building houses 86 units within 4 stories, with room for a 2 story, 81 car parking garage at the bottom. The building also displays grand vistas of the White River through its expansive roof deck that is known to be the largest in the Broad Ripple Area.

DKGR Architects

10 W. Market St. #800, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Headquartered in downtown Indianapolis is DKGR Architects, a design studio whose philosophy is anchored on the integration of design originality, client service, and a comprehensive design process. Its founding partners, Brian Schubert, John Albrecht and Anson Keller have extensive experience in a variety of markets both in the public and private sectors, and it reflects in the diversity of the projects that DKGR Architects has in its portfolio.

Among those projects is the lovely Lockerbie Lofts, a 310,000-square-foot multifamily building found at the edge of the Historic Lockerbie neighborhood in what was once a vacant brownfield site. The result of the team’s sophisticated design practice was a ground-up construction of a complex that houses 215 apartments, 245 underground parking spaces, a green roof plaza, and well-made amenities like a fitness center, pool, and business center, and even has some space for retail at the ground level.

HCO Architects

3921 N. Meridian St. #100, Indianapolis, IN 46208

HCO Architects is a well-established architecture firm founded back in 1989 by Henry C. Onochie, AIA, NCARB. It began small, with private and government projects that eventually propelled the company towards larger, more complex projects that vary in size and with budgets that range from $2 million to over $55 million dollars. Today, it runs successfully due to twenty-five diverse professionals that contribute vital expertise in architecture, design, and engineering and inspire collaboration to ensure that each project is met with a high level of service.

One sample of that would be the AHEPA 78 Apartment Complex featured below. This complex features 51 units in Phase II and 50 units in Phase III, all designed to comply with the HUD guidelines and specifications. This building is a testament to the firm’s creative thinking. Designed and built under a strict budget, it still managed to become a durable and welcoming building, even having barrier-free apartment units for the sensory impaired in the ground level.

Prince Alexander Architecture

850 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46225

Prince Alexander Architecture provides the full design package to clients. From creating the initial design to the engineering, to the project management, and the land planning, the firm sticks with the client to turn their project into a reality as it works with established industry professionals to ensure every detail is accounted for.

In its 37 years in the business, the company has garnered experience in a wide array of markets as well, working for hospitals, government facilities, emergency management facilities, churches, community centers, educational facilities, and banks. It has also built about 15 multifamily projects in the Indianapolis area, including well-made condos and spacious apartments. Among those is the Parke Hotel Apartments featured below. This red-brick building blends well with its surrounding neighborhood, displaying a similar classic facade while maintaining its unique, charming aura that makes this building stand out from the rest.

Studio 3 Design

8604 Allisonville Rd. #330, Indianapolis, IN 46250

Studio 3 Design is a certified Woman Business Enterprise Architecture and Interior Design firm based in Indianapolis, staffed with experienced and talented industry professionals that specialize in designing for corporate, healthcare, retail, entertainment, and multi-family development for both new construction and renovations. The size of its team and its philosophy towards design offers clients a tailored service and hands-on approach where their vision and needs are identified and delivered on time and within budget.

One result of that tailored service is this project, The Delaware, an eclectic, high-end mixed-use development near downtown Indianapolis. The building features 3 levels of high-end apartments that are a mix of one and two-bedroom units that are catered towards young professionals that want to live close to the downtown area. Even its amenities are tailored for them as it features a full underground parking garage, retail spaces on the ground floor including a restaurant, a dentist’s office, and a tasting room for a local micro-brewery.

Halstead Architects

1139 Shelby St., Indianapolis, IN 46203

Halstead Architects stands out among firms for its reliable, progressive, and community-conscious approach to architecture. Since 1993, it has established a history of thorough and timely service that maintains creativity and integrity in each facet of the job. Not only is its goal to provide client needs within budget and on time, but it also lends itself a collaborative approach to truly customize the experience to the needs of the project and the community that will use it in the end.

This can be seen in the St. Clair Apartments project featured here. It’s a mixed-use building that includes 33 affordable senior apartment units built atop 4 commercial tenant spaces on the first floor. This building and each unit inside of it were built thoughtfully for the older folk that reside here, complete with features like a corner balcony on each floor, a sunshade patio, and spacious living areas to make sure everyone is comfortable.