Large Housing Development Planned Near Ruoff Music Center in East Noblesville

Noblesville is set to get a major housing development near the Ruoff Music Center in East Noblesville. The proposal, from Zionsville-based Henke Development Group, is for a community called Gatewood Lakes.

The 1,100-acre community would offer homes of various sizes and feature a live-work-play concept with single-family homes, townhomes, and multi-family homes. Amenities would include 2.5 miles of shoreline along the community's soon-to-be man-made lake, 140 acres of green space, parks, and a mini-marina with light watercraft options.

Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen is optimistic about the development, saying it will fulfill a critical need for the city. "It's fitting, a need that we don't have in Noblesville," he said.

Jensen believes some homes could even be located on an island in the community's lake district, adding to the development's appeal.

Indianapolis-based realtor Mark Dietel has seen a significant rise in demand for developments like Gatewood Lakes. "You can work, eat, recreation, live, walk, all in a golf cart community," he said. "You see it around the country and other places. You've seen it in South Florida for a long time. Bringing that element up here in the Midwest and Indianapolis, I think is just going to be a lot of demand."

Dietel also argued that the development could bring a big boost to a stubborn housing market that hit a 30-year low in resales in 2024. "Not only does it help existing inventory grow, but it helps that resale market," he said.

While some argue that Hamilton County suburbs like Noblesville risk losing their appeal due to rapid development, Mayor Jensen contends that it must be done respectfully. "There are opinions on all sides of growth, but we're trying to manage that appropriately and make sure all voices are heard," he said.