Ball State Village Revitalization Projects Near Completion
New Village facilities—including the Performing Arts Center, Cantio Hotel, and Center for Innovation and Collaboration—are nearing completion as part of Ball State’s $195 million Village Revitalization Plan.
After years of planning, property acquisition, and community partnership, Ball State’s $195 million Village Revitalization Plan is approaching its most visible milestone: new facilities that will soon open their doors.
The work has been strengthened by private philanthropy through the Our Call to Beneficence comprehensive campaign. Almost $55 million was raised for Village projects as of the end of 2025, accounting for more than 15 percent of the campaign’s $350 million goal with the University surpassing $340 million overall.
Here’s an update on each site:
Performing Arts Center | Rendering provided by RATIO Architects
Cantio Hotel Lobby Lounge | Rendering provided by Schahet Hotels
Cantio Hotel Rooftop Bar | Rendering provided by Schahet Hotels
Center for Innovation and Collaboration Lab | Rendering provided by RATIO Architects
Village South Residential Development Townhomes | Rendering provided by Trademark Construction
Site 1: Performing Arts Center and Cantio Hotel
At McKinley and University Avenues, the new Performing Arts Center and adjacent 97-room Cantio Hotel anchor Site 1. The center will provide modern venues for the School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance and is nearing completion, with tenant move-in planned for this Summer and performances slated to begin in the Fall.
The Cantio, part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, is scheduled to open this Fall with three dining concepts: Believe You Me’s, a Bob Ross–inspired restaurant; Beeman’s Corner, an artisan coffeehouse; and The Broken Record, a rooftop restaurant and lounge.
Site 2: Mixed-Use Development
South of the Performing Arts Center, planning continues for a mixed-use building that will house the Campus and Community Bookstore—a 15,600-square-foot Barnes & Noble—plus apartments above designed with University and IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital employees in mind. Completion is currently targeted for Summer 2028.
Site 3: Center for Innovation and Collaboration
At the southeast corner of Ashland Avenue and Martin Street, the Center for Innovation and Collaboration (CIC) is on track for tenant move-in by this Summer and a grand opening this Fall. The 31,000-plus-square-foot facility will host collaboration spaces, labs, and studios where students, faculty, community organizations, and industry partners can develop ideas and launch projects. Director Bette Smith, who began in January, will guide the center’s strategic direction and programming.
Site 4: Village Green
One block south of the CIC, Village Green will take shape at the southwest corner of Martin Street and University Avenue, strengthening the pedestrian link between The Village and campus. In Fall 2025, Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning students led a design competition with 54 submissions and nearly 2,000 public votes, helping shape the concept. Plans include a flexible lawn, gateway public art, shaded seating, game-ready hardscape, food-truck staging, and enhanced lighting. Completion is estimated for Fall 2027.
Site 5: Village South Residential Development
Just southeast of The Village, the Village South Residential Development is bringing new housing options to the neighborhood, with plans for 17 attached townhomes and eight single-family homes. Five townhomes are under construction; nine homes in Phase 1 are scheduled to be finished this Fall, with a second phase of nine homes expected to begin this Summer.
