Butler plans to transform former dorm into luxury hotel

INDIANAPOLIS — New life comes to an old building on Butler University’s campus.

The former dormitory Ross Hall is getting a transformative makeover. After sitting empty for years, it will now become a luxury hotel.

The university made the announcement at a press conference Friday.

With a cornerstone block dating back to 1953, many Bulldog alumni remember spending their freshman year inside Ross Hall.

“I had a cat in my dorm room that I don’t think you were supposed to, so when I come back here I think about that,” said one former student Allison Luthe.

The building closed in 2019, except during the pandemic, where it was used to isolate students until 2022.

Last year, the university announced they were tearing it down, until developers and alumni convinced them otherwise.

“We’re not building a university hotel, we’re building a hotel that happens to be on a university campus,” said Butler University President Jim Danko.

In partnership with Hilton Hotels and Purpose Lodging, Ross Hall will be turned into a boutique hotel within the Curio Collection by Hilton. This will be the first of its kind in the state.

“I can envision people hanging out in the lobby, hanging out in the wonderfully designed food and beverage outlets and having fantastic stays in luxurious guest rooms,” said Brooke Thomas with the Curio Collection.

Not only will this development serve the university, but also the surrounding midtown Indy area, a key part of their Butler Gateway project.

“When our families are moving in, or there’s special events on campus, they’re either going downtown or they’re having to go up to 86th St. So there is a real need for this,” said Danko.

Now potential students and alumni alike are looking forward to coming back to stay following its opening during the 2026-2027 school year.

“I also love that they’re preserving the historic building,” said Luthe. “I think that’s really important in our neighborhood, and folks who’ve lived here a long time, and alumni like me, I like that. I get to come back and see it re-envisioned.”

Danko added this is the first of hopefully many more restoration projects throughout their campus.