by Bailey Shelton
Just north of 38th and nestled between College and Illinois is one of the most coveted neighborhoods in the city. Meridian Kessler, with its historic charm, large plots, and mix of urban and suburban feel, is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Indianapolis. Although developments in the area are only boosting its popularity, this neighborhood has been one of the most desirable corners of Indianapolis for the past century.
A majority of the homes in the Meridian Kessler neighborhood were built during the roaring 20s, when Indianapolis incorporated as far north as Broad Ripple Village to accommodate a growing group of devoted northsiders. Residents of this area tend to own the same property for longer, with properties acting as decades-long family homes.
Meridian Kessler is unique in its own right, with rich architectural diversity and larger plots in the heart of the city. It’s also becoming more walkable by the minute. With an 81/100 walkability score and a 72/100 bikability score via Zillow, it’s easy to connect to trendy businesses and cafes on either side of the neighborhood. You’ll find the likes of Golden Hour Books, Fat Dan’s Deli, and Pots and Pans Pie Co. along College Ave to the east, and Hubbard and Cravens, Sullivan’s Hardware, and Cafe Patachou to the west along Pennsylvania.
The area is home to some of Central Indiana’s most recognized private high schools, including Bishop Chetard and Cathedral, with Park Tudor to the north offering K through 12 programming as well. However, according to lifelong Meridian Kessler resident and H.C. Tucker realtor Andy Deemer, the neighborhood appeals to a wide range of people in various stages of life, not just young families.
For prospective homeowners looking to buy in the Meridian Kessler neighborhood, Deemer recommends seeking out a realtor that’s well-established in the area. “Of course I’d say, get a wonderful realtor. It’s very important in an area like Meridian Kessler, Broad Ripple, to have a top-notch realtor that knows the area and does a lot of work in the area.” He says that the top agents of the area live and breathe that neighborhood, and often work together with listings to provide early access to their homebuyers.
Many Indianapolis neighborhoods experience rises and falls in popularity, but this particular corner of the city tends to stay in a continuous state of growth. In the past ten years, Meridian Kessler is once again trending thanks in part to growing businesses and expanded transport links. The Red Line, nearby Monon Trail, and dedicated bike lanes along the College Avenue corridor connect this area to their neighbors on all sides: Broad Ripple, Butler Tarkington, SoBro, and Downtown.
As the area grows, there’s still room for investment in some of the residential properties, even as interest rates climb.
“Meridian Kessler has always been a hot place to live. Values always trend in an upward manner,” says Deemer. “We still have very high demand, low supply of houses to sell. The demand is such that we’re not getting 5 to 10 offers, but we still have houses that right out of the gate will get a great offer or two to three different offers… Would they rather have a lower interest rate? Yeah, but the fact of the matter is it’s not affecting the market like some might think.”
As Indianapolis continues to be an attractive place to live, Meridian Kessler is one key example of a neighborhood to watch for in a prospective home search. Through gorgeous homes, vibrant businesses, and easy connections, it’s no wonder this neighborhood is one of the most desirable places to live in the 465 loop.
