LandIndianapolis

Land Investment in Indianapolis

Indianapolis land prices hit new highs in 2025 with I-70 corridor parcels trading 30% above 2024 levels. Eli Lilly's $9B campus expansion created a land grab for life science development sites within a 15-mile radius of downtown. Industrial parcels along major freight corridors command $45-65K per acre. Multifamily developers chase the last entitled sites in Fishers and Carmel. Raw land deals dried up - everything's about entitled parcels now.

Market Context

Cap Rate Range

Industrial land trades at 4.5-6% returns on pro forma, multifamily sites at 5-7%, retail pads at 6.5-8.5%

Current Vacancy

Entitled industrial land has 6-month absorption, multifamily sites average 12-18 months to close

Rent Trend

Land lease rates up 25% year-over-year for industrial, 15% for multifamily development sites

Absorption

Industrial parcels move within 90 days at market pricing, entitled multifamily sites take 6-12 months

Price Per Unit Trend

Multifamily development sites trading at $18-28K per door pro forma, up from $15-22K in 2024

Transaction Volume

$340M in land transactions Q4 2025, 85% above 2024 levels driven by Eli Lilly supplier demand

Submarket Analysis

I-70 West Corridor

4.5-5.5% cap

Vacancy

Zero entitled industrial land available

Avg Rent (1BR)

$0.85-1.20 PSF NNN ground lease

Amazon, FedEx expansion driving 40% price increases. Buyers paying $55-75K per acre.

OM Tip

Include truck traffic counts and proximity to intermodal facilities - buyers want data within 2 miles of I-70/I-465 interchange

North Suburbs (Carmel/Fishers)

5.5-7% cap

Vacancy

18-month supply of entitled multifamily sites

Avg Rent (1BR)

$22-28K per door development cost

Eli Lilly workforce housing demand. Entitled sites trading immediately. Raw land sits.

OM Tip

Hamilton County schools and Lilly shuttle access are deal drivers - highlight both in executive summary

Downtown/Near Eastside

6-8% cap

Vacancy

Mixed-use entitled parcels moving fast

Avg Rent (1BR)

Ground lease $8-15 PSF NNN

TIF districts make deals pencil. Historic tax credits add complexity but value.

OM Tip

TIF eligibility and historic designation status must be clear on page one - buyers won't dig for this info

Southwest Industrial

5-6.5% cap

Vacancy

Limited industrial land inventory

Avg Rent (1BR)

$0.75-1.10 PSF NNN

FedEx hub expansion creating supplier demand. Build-to-suit deals common.

OM Tip

Airport proximity and freight rail access drive valuations - include maps showing both

Greenwood/Southside

6.5-8.5% cap

Vacancy

Retail pad sites have 12-month inventory

Avg Rent (1BR)

$12-18 PSF ground lease

Population growth supports retail but development costs rising faster than rents.

OM Tip

Traffic counts and retail demographics within 3-mile radius are table stakes for pad site buyers

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What Your OM Needs to Address

Entitlement Status Timeline

Marion County averaged 18-month approval process in 2025, Hamilton County ran 12 months for standard multifamily

Data to Include

Current zoning, required approvals, realistic timeline with contingencies, estimated entitlement costs

Environmental Reports

Phase I older than 12 months kills deals. Industrial buyers want Phase II even for clean sites.

Data to Include

Phase I and Phase II reports, ASTM compliance dates, any IDEM correspondence, soil boring locations

Utility Capacity Letters

Citizens Energy capacity letters expire in 6 months. Industrial buyers need 1000+ amp confirmation.

Data to Include

Current capacity letters from all utilities, upgrade costs, connection fees, service timeline

Traffic Impact Studies

INDOT requires traffic studies for developments generating 100+ peak hour trips. Takes 8-12 weeks.

Data to Include

Existing traffic counts, required improvements, estimated costs, INDOT correspondence

Flood Plain and Wetlands

White River flood plain affects 25% of developable land. Army Corps jurisdiction adds 6-month delay.

Data to Include

FEMA flood maps, wetland delineation reports, Army Corps pre-application meeting notes

Infrastructure Availability

Fiber availability drives industrial values. Water/sewer capacity limits multifamily density.

Data to Include

Fiber providers within 1000 feet, water/sewer capacity analysis, road improvement requirements

Investment Outlook

Short Term

Eli Lilly's supplier buildout continues through 2027. Industrial land prices stay elevated. Multifamily development sites face rising construction costs - some buyers pulling back. Retail pad sites see steady demand but slower price growth.

Medium Term

2027-2029 brings construction completion wave. Industrial absorption slows as Lilly buildout ends. Multifamily sites with current entitlements maintain value while raw land struggles. Infrastructure investment needed to open new development areas.

Long Term

Post-2029 market depends on economic diversification beyond logistics and pharma. Climate resilience becomes bigger factor in site selection. Expect more mixed-use requirements in suburban developments. Transit-oriented development around potential BRT expansion.

Buyer Profile

Build-to-suit industrial users dominate purchases. National multifamily developers cherry-pick entitled sites. Local retail developers active on pad sites. Investment funds buying land banks in growth corridors but want 200+ acre minimum.

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