In March 2022, Joel Kirk and I [Phil Kirk] purchased a 10,000 square foot, mixed-use commercial building in the heart of the Garfield Park neighborhood. This century-old building faces the 128-acre Park, the Red Line Transit, the Indiana Pacers Bike-share, Big Car’s Tube Factory campus, and other small businesses.
The pride and joy of the Garfield Park neighborhood is the park itself. Garfield is the oldest park in Indianapolis. Established in 1889 – it continues to stand as a lasting testimony to the importance of beauty, culture and community with its public conservatory, sunken gardens, arts center, picnic shelters, tennis courts, walking trails, playgrounds, farmers’ markets and much more. This historic park draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
But the neighborhood has faced a major challenge: For decades, visitors have viewed Garfield Park as a singular destination. People come to visit the park, and then they leave. But this is all about to change. Neighbors and local small businesses are ready to capture this audience by drawing them into this revitalizing commercial corridor. So how will Yoke Pavilion fit into all of this?
Yoke Pavilion is the gateway to this corridor – connecting the south side of Indianapolis and the University of Indianapolis campus to downtown Indianapolis. Yoke Pavilion will exist to provide a neighborhood-centralized space for emerging small businesses, collaborative co-working for creatives, artists-in-residencies, short-term housing, and non-profit incubation. The Kirk Realty Team and Indy Rustic Homes will occupy and manage the building as in-house property managers, interior designers, and real estate developers with a focus towards the flourishing of the Garfield Park neighborhood.
Facing Shelby Street and Southern Avenue, five storefronts will be completely gutted, remediated, restored, and customized to engage neighbors and the Shelby Street commercial corridor. Yoke Pavilion will incorporate the pride and history of Garfield Park into these spaces through intentional, historic design. All five storefronts have been tentatively leased and will be announced later this summer 2022.
On the second story of the Yoke Pavilion, three large apartments will feature short term lodging that celebrates both the historical charm of the building, while also celebrating the history of Garfield Park. Restored, designed, and hosted by the Kirk Realty Team in partnership with Engle & Co. Design – these apartments will not only lodge park visitors but also artists in residence. Honoring the history and beauty of Garfield Park will be the key to these restored spaces.
The basement of Yoke Pavilion – will feature an artist gallery for First Friday events and a private event space. These spaces will connect visitors to the arts and culture of Garfield Park. We look forward to revitalizing these spaces and making Garfield Park’s commercial corridor a feature of pride for its neighbors and the city.
