The future of Indianapolis is being built on the west side, beginning with the six-story, glass-faced Elanco Animal Health headquarters that officially opened Oct. 1.
The $200 million headquarters is the first piece of the planned OneHealth Innovation District, a research hub the company plans to build with Purdue University and other partners on a 75-acre property in a section of West Indianapolis known as The Valley.
Grand opening ceremonies were held Oct. 1, 2025, for the Elanco Global Headquarters in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Indy, a companion-in-training with Medical Mutts, chomps through a dog treat as part of a unique ribbon-cutting ceremony moment. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Jay Napoleon, president of the Valley Neighborhood Association, offers remarks. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Purdue University President Mung Chiang offers remarks. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Student performers from Edison School of the Arts perform as part of the Grand opening ceremonies. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Student performers from Edison School of the Arts perform as part of the Grand opening ceremonies. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Employees and guests listen to remarks during grand opening ceremonies Oct. 1, 2025, for the Elanco Global Headquarters in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Grand opening ceremonies were held Oct. 1, 2025, for the Elanco Global Headquarters in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Grand opening ceremonies were held Oct. 1, 2025, for the Elanco Global Headquarters in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Grand opening ceremonies were held Oct. 1, 2025, for the Elanco Global Headquarters in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Grand opening ceremonies were held Oct. 1, 2025, for the Elanco Global Headquarters in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Guests mingle before the grand opening ceremonies. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Grand opening ceremonies were held Oct. 1, 2025, for the Elanco Global Headquarters in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Grand opening ceremonies were held Oct. 1, 2025, for the Elanco Global Headquarters in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Grand opening ceremonies were held Oct. 1, 2025, for the Elanco Global Headquarters in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Grand opening ceremonies were held Oct. 1, 2025, for the Elanco Global Headquarters in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy 
Grand opening ceremonies were held Oct. 1, 2025, for the Elanco Global Headquarters in Indianapolis. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
Mayor Joe Hogsett attended a celebration for the opening. So did Gov. Mike Braun, who said the site could become a second Indianapolis skyline. And Elanco’s CEO talked about how the headquarters will attract big ideas and bright minds.
But as their visions begin to take shape west of the White River, longtime residents living near the new headquarters hope they’re not left behind.
What people want from their new neighbor
Jacobo Cruz, an immigrant from Chiapas, Mexico, has lived in his home on Marion Avenue for the past 22 years. His home is near the historic Albert R. Worm building and his workplace, a local grocery store and restaurant named Carniceria Guanajuato.
Cruz says the construction of the Elanco building has already improved the neighborhood by bringing in more customers.
“The construction workers come and eat at the store,” he said, “We’re the closest restaurant, so it works out for us.”
Cruz knows his new corporate neighbors will likely mean higher property taxes for him, but it will be worth it if the neighborhood improves.
“I don’t mind higher taxes if Elanco brings jobs to the community. That’s really what we want,” he said.
A block away Adela Rivera has already seen the new headquarters bring positive change to the neighborhood. She believes the new hub played a part in getting Indy Parks to improve their local park, McCarty Triangle Park.
Rivera has lived in her home on Holly Avenue, just across the street from the new Elanco headquarters, for the past 30 years, but has seen little change there.
She and other mothers in the neighborhood have formed an impromptu walking club and would like to be able to access amenities, such as walkways or tracks, on the site.
And, after the walks, it wouldn’t hurt to have a nearby place to get some pizza, she said.
Elanco CEO Jeff Simmons didn’t say during the opening ceremony what kinds of businesses would be located on the site.
But he has big plans.
“Expect buildings and construction to continue through the decade,” he said. “I just told our new CFO, the window cleaning costs are going to be high. There’s going to be a lot of dust.”
What is Elanco bringing to the west side?
Simmons wants the new headquarters to be part of an ecosystem that works to solve health challenges.
Plans for the OneHealth Innovation District include a facility where Elanco and other future innovation district partners can collaborate with Purdue researchers.
The White River State Park extension is also under construction on the property. The Henry Street bridge will connect the site to downtown.
“Our vision for this 75-acre site becomes a place where we live, we work and we play,” Simmons said.
The campus will feature perks to draw and keep employees, such as gardens, a pet park, pickleball courts and on-site physical fitness nutritionists.
And once the construction workers leave and the employees come, Cruz hopes he’ll be able to count them among his new customers.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Enrique Saenz covers west Indianapolis. Contact him at 317-983-4203 or enrique.saenz@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on Bluesky at @enriquesaenz.bsky.social.
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