BLOOMINGTON – Today, the City of Bloomington and Alluinn Development, LLC completed a land purchase for the construction of a four-story, 170-guestroom boutique hotel at the corner of Rogers and 10th streets in Bloomington’s Trades District.
This step marks a significant milestone in the development of the Trades District—Bloomington’s premier innovation district—and a catalytic private investment in Bloomington’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“This hotel project demonstrates the private sector’s confidence in Bloomington’s economic future,” said Mayor Kerry Thomson. “The Trades District is becoming a destination for innovation and entrepreneurship, and this investment will provide the meeting space and hospitality capacity our community needs to continue attracting talent, capital, and opportunity to Bloomington.”
The approved plans call for a four-story, full-service hotel featuring 170 guestrooms, 5,500 square feet of meeting and conference space, a ground-floor restaurant and retail, and a public rooftop bar. Located adjacent to The Forge, the hotel will provide essential hospitality infrastructure to support the growing innovation community and visiting entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate partners.
Closing documents for the purchase were signed by Anna Killion-Hanson, Director of the City’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department, and Charles Whittaker, Founder and Owner of Alluin.
The development agreement was facilitated through the work of Amplify Bloomington, the civic alliance that operates under a partnership agreement with the City to advance the Trades District as an innovation hub. John Fernandez, CEO of Amplify Bloomington, played a key role in securing the development agreement and coordinating stakeholders throughout the approval process.
The City’s Board of Zoning Appeals approved necessary variances for the project in November 2025, and the Plan Commission granted major site plan approval earlier this year. With today’s closing complete, Alluinn anticipates breaking ground this summer, pending final state and local building permit approvals.
“We’re excited to move forward with this project and contribute to the momentum building in the Trades District,” said Whittaker. “Bloomington has a unique combination of university talent, innovative companies, and civic leadership that makes it an ideal market for a premium hotel designed to serve both the business community and visitors to this vibrant city.”
The Trades District Hotel is designed to complement the district’s existing assets, including The Mill, Bloomington’s hub for entrepreneurship support, The Forge, and The Kiln. The project features sustainable design elements, including green roof areas, outdoor gathering spaces, bicycle parking, and pedestrian-oriented streetscapes that connect to the nearby B-Line Trail.
Construction is expected to take approximately 18-24 months once groundbreaking occurs.
About the Trades District
The Trades District is a 12-acre Certified Technology Park in downtown Bloomington, Indiana, designed as a hub for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. It transforms a historic industrial area into a modern, walkable district featuring tech offices, coworking spaces, and the startup incubator The Mill, aiming to support startups and attract high-tech jobs.
About the Redevelopment Commission
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission oversees the duties and responsibilities of the of Housing and Neighborhood Development Department, focusing on economic development, urban improvement, Tax Increment Financing districts, and projects that enhance Bloomington’s infrastructure, housing, and economic vitality.
About Alluinn LLC
Founded by Charles Whittaker, Alluinn LLC is a Chicago-based hotel development company. Whittaker and several of his partners are IU alumni.
