08.13.2024

Today’s Forecast

🍃 Welcome to Indy Urban Jungle

Indy Urban Jungle welcoming guests into its shipping container rentals

INDY_Indy Urban Jungles_shipping container rentals exterior_AUG2024

Each unit is made up of seven shipping containers that are 320 sqft. | Photo by Miss Cara Photography

If you’ve taken College Avenue across the bridge over Fall Creek, you may have noticed a development on the corner of College + Sutherland. It’s kind of hard to miss.

There’s a cluster of shipping containers that have reached completion and will soon be welcoming guests.

Local Airbnb host and real estate professional James Rapp had his eye on the lot for over a year and put in an offer within 30 hours of it being listed. He bought the property where the Indy Urban Jungles development now sits back in March of 2021.

INDY_Indy Urban Jungle_greenroom_AUG2024 — Host James Rapp has a green thumb, so he made sure to bring some greenery into each unit.
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Photo by Miss Cara Photography

The project was a big undertaking, from clearing the land, getting the shipping containers from a site on the south side of Indy to welding, customizing the units, furnishing them, putting in a driveway for parking, and more. It’s finally crossing the finish line and going live for guests to book on Sunday, August 18 — just in time for Swifties who are looking for a place to stay in November.

The urban getaway has ~150 yards of greenspace and three rental homes — each made up of seven shipping containers. Each rental has three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, plus a kitchen, greenhouse, and rooftop deck. Each rental has its own theme with furniture, decor, and memorabilia that are special to Rapp.

The themes include:

The Gotham | Pop culture-themed, grayscale, NYC loft vibes
The Marley | Modern boho-themed, earthy tones, animal art + a tribute to the reggae legend
The Sycamore | Coastal contemporary-themed, bright beachy blue with vintage touches

INDY_Indy Urban Jungle_exterior_AUG2024 — The floor to ceiling windows allow lots of natural light in each unit.
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Photo by Miss Cara Photography

Rapp also manages Indy’s first shipping container home on Bellefontaine Street + his first Airbnb rental, the Urban Jungle condo on Mass Ave, which he started hosting in 2018.

City Editor Nicole got a tour of the units, so if you want more of an inside look — follow our Instagram.

Events

Tuesday, Aug. 13

Indiana State Fair | Tuesday, Aug. 13-Sunday, Aug. 18 | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | Fairgrounds | $13+ | It’s the last week to swing by the fair for rides, games, exhibits, and food galore.
Palladium Public Tours | Tuesday, Aug. 13 | 10:20 a.m. | The Center for the Performing Arts | Free | Learn about the architecture and other features that provide the pristine acoustics and aesthetic experience that patrons enjoy at the Palladium.

Wednesday, Aug. 14

Wednesday Night Trivia | Wednesday, Aug. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Guggman Haus Brewing Co. | Free to play | Enjoy food, drinks, and trivia for a chance to win prizes.

Thursday, Aug. 15

Zen & Zest: A Yoga+ Cocktail Experience | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 7-8 p.m. | 8th Day Distillery | $25 | Bring your own mat for a refreshing hour of yoga followed by a delicious cocktail or mocktail.

Friday, Aug. 16

First Pitch Fest | Friday, Aug. 16 | 3-6:30 p.m. | Canal Walk | Free | Join local podcast host Nate Spangle for a tailgate featuring only Indiana brands at White River State Park before he throws the first pitch at Victory Field.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Drink

🍸 Raise a glass to your new favorite local spirit

INDY_HuseCulinary_BarkeepVodka_AUGUST2024

Fun fact: The spoon featured on the packaging is meant to be a subtle nod to cocktail enthusiasts, with the idea that more cocktails are stirred than shaken (especially at home). | Photos provided by Barkeep Vodka; GIF created by INDYtoday

Shaken or stirred? Whichever way you prefer your cocktails, they aren’t complete without Huse Culinary’s latest creation: Barkeep Vodka.

Designed to be the cleanest-tasting and smoothest vodka ever created, this spirit is an indispensable addition to your cocktail bar.

Shaking things up

With Barkeep Vodka, you can say goodbye to the harsh burn that comes with most spirits.

This product was crafted for cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate a drink that highlights their ingredients. Read: Savor the best parts of your favorite concoction without the unpleasant aftertaste.

Smooth operator

As the first spirit to use a breakthrough pressure filtration process, the result is a refreshingly-balanced vodka.

The best part? It’s distilled six times using local corn and processed in small batches right in our backyard. Plus, it’s gluten-free, impurity-free, and allergen-free.

And yes, Barkeep is 86 proof. Grab a bottle at any local grocery or liquor store, or enjoy $5 off Barkeep cocktails during happy hour at any Huse Culinary location.

We'll cheers to that

News Notes

Development

Because I-69 now offers better connectivity between Indianapolis and Evansville, this naturally gives a green light to development along the interstate. There are already plans for White River Crossing in Bargersville, which will include housing, retail, and a hotel and/or conference center. (IBJ)

Coming Soon

A revolving sushi bar is coming to the north side. Kura Sushi has been spotted under construction just west of Kroger on 116th Street in Fishers. There’s no word yet on its grand opening date, but if you sign up for its newsletter you get a $5 off coupon.

Eat

This weekend, 10 East Arts Hub will host the first-ever Indy Summer Foodie Social organized by Salamat Cookies. The two-day event will bring together local restaurants, food entrepreneurs, artisans, and creatives. See the vendor lineup.

Sports

Indianapolis’ only women’s rugby team is running on the hype around the US Olympic team to recruit new members. The Hoydens practice every Thursday near the American Legion Post 64 on Holt Road and are recruiting year-round, with the season starting in September. (WTHR)

Ranked

Lucas Oil Stadium has been ranked the No. 7 best NFL stadium in the country, according to an analysis by sportsbook resource NJ.bet. The Colts also have the No. 8 most affordable game to attend in the league.

Watch

Hoosier school janitor Richard Goodall received a Golden Buzzer from judge Heidi Klum on “America’s Got Talent,” automatically advancing him to the live shows. Sources say you can catch him in the first live show tonight at 8 p.m. (IndyStar)

Sports

Colts QB Anthony Richardson returned to the field at Lucas Oil Stadium vs. the Denver Broncos and was flanked by superstar RB Jonathan Taylor. Go beyond the scoreboard with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Biz

Looking to start your day sunny side up? This family restaurant franchise offers an egg-straordinary opportunity to bring a top-notch breakfast, lunch + brunch model to Circle City (with ongoing training and support services). Opening a restaurant has never been easier.*

Award

🛞 Hot rod turned Hot Wheels

Indianapolis hot rod becomes a Hot Wheels

The US will host 11 regional events at Walmart locations across the country, culminating with the Global Semi-Final and the Global Grand Finale in November. | Photo provided by Hot Wheels Legends Tour

The seventh annual Hot Wheels Legends Tour was in Indy this past weekend. (And don’t say we didn’t tell you — it was in our newsletter’s events section on Friday.)

If you’re not familiar, this event tours the world searching for the ultimate custom car build. Car enthusiasts compete for a chance to immortalize their car as a Hot Wheels 1:64 scale die-cast and join a legendary group of Garage of Legends life-size Hot Wheels vehicles.

Drumroll, please. The winner of the Indianapolis stop is local resident Hyrum Bingham, who claimed the top spot with his custom 1938 Ford Roadster.

With more than 10 years in the making, Bingham’s steampunk-themed 1938 roadster impressed the judges thanks to its hand-built aluminum body and exposed 306 Ford engine with custom side pipes. Congrats.

The Buy

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More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Nicole

From the editor

You may or may not have already seen the viral video featuring Indy Urban Jungle by @travelingfoodieguyde. Rapp’s also already seen the comments about the rust color of the buildings being an “eye sore” and he says he plans to add trellis’ on the side of the buildings for vines and greenery to beautify the buildings.

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