New apartments to be built in downtown Marion

On Jan. 14, Marion saw the first groundbreaking for River Rock Lofts, a new apartment complex to be completed in 2026 by Rebar Construction.

River Rock Lofts will be located near the southeast corner or E. 1^st St. and S. Adams St.  The complex will have over 80 apartments for rent. 

“The city had a vision for downtown. The plan was amazing. The mayor inspired us. This type of product is what we build. It’s a mixed-use development and a mixture of commercial and the first-floor apartments above,” said Shelby Bowen, owner of Rebar. “So it’s a really great fit type of product we build, combined with the Mayor’s vision for downtown.”

The apartments have a budget of $10.8 million, with construction starting when the weather breaks. 

“The River Rock Lofts serve as a cornerstone of our newly established Riverfront district. We are delighted to collaborate in introducing such a high-quality housing option in our community,” said Mayor Ronald Morell in the Rebar Press Release. 

Nick McKinley, the Marion City Council president was at the groundbreaking and said that this new complex will be the catalyst for changing the landscape of downtown Marion.

“We need more housing in Marion. I have my own story. When I moved here, I couldn’t find any market-rate apartments, couldn’t find any houses for sale, and so really, just provide market-rate apartments in the downtown area. It’s a win-win,” McKinley said. 

River Rock Lofts aims to attract professionals, empty nesters and residents seeking high-quality housing. The apartments will be priced at $1000 and $1500 a month, depending on the apartment. 

“As a community that’s growing, and you have to have places for people to live. If you want people to if you want Marion to grow, you got to have homes for them to live in,” said Kylie Jackson, president and CEO of Greater Grant County Chamber of Commerce.

Jackson said that people living in downtown Marion is on the rise, and along with new shopping, places to eat, and different amenities, new housing is just a different piece of the puzzle for Marion. 

“It’s not just about the apartments. This is a partnership with the City of Marion and the state of Indiana. It’s contributed, what’s called a renting grant. And so together. It’s really a team effort to do something special here in downtown Marion,” Bowen said. 

More information can be found at https://www.riverrocklofts.com