Circa Takes Shape: Delays and lost days-only minor setbacks on the road to completion

It’s no joke the winter here in Indy has been hard. It’s as if the Ice Queen raised a knobby finger and cast a nasty spell on our city, freezing everyone in their tracks. Only the most essential outdoor activities continued, like walking from house to car—and from car to the grocery store and back.

Although the winter weather debilitated a lot of construction crews across the city, Circa at 617 N. College continued to take shape in the Chatham Arch Historic District. However, the construction project hasn't been entirely immune to winter's harsh conditions. Work efforts had to be adjusted and rerouted to make the best of the days available. “Since we were right in the midst of framing, which requires a lot of outdoor work, we actually lost 28 days to the cold temperatures and snowfall,” says Jake Dietrich, Development Associate at Milhaus. “We tried to stay creative, routing work to interior projects whenever that was possible, but we didn’t always have that option.”

Despite the winter challenges, the demolition of the site was completed and three of the five buildings that make up Circa have been framed out. “We're just a few weeks behind schedule on the framing,” says Gregg Hendershott, Vice-President of Milhaus Construction, "but we expect to make up that time while completing the fourth building, which will put us right back on track.”

The original Scott Machine Shop building, saved from demolition, is undergoing extensive renovation, including a new roof, tuck-pointing of the brick exterior, new windows and doors, wiring, plumbing and framing of the interior. Milhaus expects to have the leasing office ready for residential services to set up shop in May, and the interior amenities completed so prospective renters will be able to tour the facilities. “We have plans to complete the pool, courtyard and other outdoor amenities by the end of June,” says Dietrich, “in anticipation of the first renters who will move in during the month of August.”