Indy's North Campus Makes a Comeback as an Attractive Hub for Remote Workers

Innovative office spaces are emerging as key motivators as companies continue to ask employees to return to in-person work. Carmel Gateway, an office park in the Indianapolis area, has a unique blend of amenities that aims to make the return to work not only feasible but enjoyable.

Larry Kirsch, who has been in the complex for over a decade, said, “I’ve never worked in an office park that had a setup that was similar, so it makes me want to come in.”

Five years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down workplaces worldwide, resulting in a significant shift in the way people view their jobs and workspaces. Patrick Moyers witnessed this transition firsthand.

“I was here in 2019, saw the transition of a campus full of people go to a campus full of almost nobody working,” he recalled.

The pandemic has left a lasting impact on office dynamics. According to a quarterly report from Cushman & Wakefield, office vacancy rates soared to their highest levels in the past decade by the end of 2024.

Rubenstein Partners, owners of Carmel Gateway, have encouraged their locations around the county to evolve to meet the modern worker's needs. Brian Simel, Vice President of Rubenstein Partners, stated, “We have continued to evolve our spaces into more collaborative spaces where you’re getting something that you can’t get working from home.”

The Carmel Gateway office park exemplifies this trend, prioritizing fun and community alongside productivity.

“We want our tenant partners to have reasons to tell their employees to come to work,” Moyers explained.

Carmel Gateway offers a range of amenities designed to enhance the employee experience, from grab-and-go food options available through a mobile app to a private fitness club membership situated within the park’s amenities.

“It just makes return to work better,” Moyers added.