Article from Carmel Monthly Magazine

If you’re looking to live in Carmel’s newest premier condominium and custom luxury apartment community—REV/VĒR at Proscenium—now is your opportunity! Preconstruction pricing ends this August as the developer, Novo Development Group, a Birkla Investment Group company, is midconstruction on the 22 condo and 196 apartment units located at Carmel Drive and Range Line Road.

Director of Design and Development Tim Hill explains, “The word Proscenium is an architectural term that describes an integral part of the theater’s center stage.  It is a metaphor for what this amazing community represents:  living life center stage.   From day one of the Proscenium development process, Novo Development Group’s vision was to create a true mixed-use environment that provided enjoyment and a new experience each day.  We are very excited that this was accomplished through a variety of elements, including  providing horizontal and vertical integration of uses, breaking up the building masses and changing architectural elements and styles to establishing unique internal streets and views that appear to be created over time, carving out public open areas while preserving some quiet semiprivate enclaves and creating multiple connection points to adjacent parks, the Monon and other Carmel attractions.”

Hill continues to say, “The design for the Proscenium project has been a collaborative effort between Novo Development Group, the CRC and the City of Carmel.  The product of this collaboration is a high-quality project that introduces a 600-space public parking garage, the Proscenium Retail, the Agora Office,  REV condos, VĒR apartments and the CenterPoint community plaza to the Carmel Drive/Range Line Road District.”

REV at Proscenium in Carmel

REV is a unique, state-of-the-art condominium community that encompasses luxury development and the ease of upscale living with the convenience of retail and dining that is within mere steps of your front door. Prospective residents need to take advantage of the limited-time preconstruction pricing before it ends in August. Choose from one of the many inspired floor plans that include gourmet kitchens, all-gas appliances, Rinnai tankless hot water systems and hydronic furnaces, private below-grade garages, onsite fitness center, secure bike storage, amenity deck with resort-style pool, firepits and adjacent 4-acre park with trails, providing direct access to the Monon. Walkability to Kroger’s flagship store, the Center for Performing Arts, City Center and Main Street are an additional bonus to living at Proscenium.

Mike Stone, principal broker, says, “We are thrilled with the level of excitement this project has received from our clients.  Everyone says they have been looking for a home and community like REV at Proscenium for years.  REV features 22 of the most unique luxury condominiums in Carmel.  Located In our sales office is a scale model of the project, including the upgraded floor system we are using to further enhance sound control, so when people come in, they can see not only what their condominium will look like but they get a real sense of the quality of construction, mixed-use development and lifestyle that we are offering.  Our units are geared toward the person who wants a low-maintenance, high-amenity lifestyle.  We are excited to have already sold 70% of our condominium units. Our preconstruction pricing ends on August 31.” 

VĒR at Proscenium in Carmel

VĒR is unlike any other leasing experience.  This 196-unit apartment aspect of the project features 20 unique and custom luxury one- and two-bedroom floor plans that include gourmet kitchens, faux hardwood floors, an amenity deck with pool, firepits, grill areas, pet wash and theater room.  What sets VĒR apart is that you can now customize the interior of your luxury apartment with your choice of interior finish options, appliance packages and color scheme. VĒR units offer various exquisite views of an intimate promenade with glowing bistro lights, the city’s new 4-acre park or Proscenium’s interior park space—Centerpoint Plaza.

VĒR features 196 luxury apartment units and one hotel suite. The first units are slated to open in the fall of 2020.

Both REV and VĒR feature optional upgrades that include enhanced California Closet Systems. Additionally, Novo’s partnership with Centerpoint Energy presents Carmel’s first all-gas property with gas ranges, ovens and Rinnai tankless hot water systems, which includes a hydronic furnace, offering the ultimate in energy-efficient heating, ensuring endless comfort 100% of the time. 

REV/VĒR residents will experience high-speed internet powered by Xiber. The system provides symmetrical 300 MB up and down internet speed, allowing you to enjoy all of your streaming content in HD.

All units include covered parking with direct access to your residence.

Live, Work, Relax at Proscenium

Tony Birkla, Proscenium developer and founder of Novo Development Group, shared more exciting features of the project that have companies, restaurants and retailers just as excited about moving to Proscenium as its future residents.

“There are four pieces to the project,” Birkla explained. “There’s the public-private partnership between my company, Birkla Investment Group—the holding company that owns Novo Development Group—and the Carmel Redevelopment Commission that has produced the public garage, public parks and public ways that intertwine throughout Proscenium. Adding to the mixed-use development aspect of the project is the Lauth Group’s 100,000-square-foot office building called Agora at Proscenium. It will serve as the future headquarters of the Indianapolis-based Schwarz Partners and Valeo Financial Advisors.  We have REV/VĒR rounding out the four components of Proscenium, all nearing completion in fall 2020. The public garage is 100% completed, and it’s all coming together wonderfully in spite of slight adjustments to the schedule due to COVID-19 setbacks.”

When asked how the pandemic has affected the construction and build-out schedules for both residential and commercial projects, Birkla responded, “The pandemic did obviously slow down the market and our construction schedule but thankfully not by much.  We have reconfirmed our two biggest restaurant commitments, Wahlburgers and 101 Beer Kitchen.  They are still very much committed to Proscenium, which is fantastic and a testament to all we are doing.”

Birkla continued, “While the whole project has shifted a bit, Agora, REV and VĒR are coming online with commercial tenants beginning to move in this August.  We have begun leasing the apartments, and Wahlburgers and 101 Beer Kitchen will take possession of their build-outs in the fourth quarter. They anticipate opening early 2021.”

Featuring Rock Stars in the Restaurant Industry

Future Proscenium residents and tenants, along with area locals, are eagerly anticipating the grand openings of the two new dining establishments,  101 Beer Kitchen and Indiana’s first Wahlburgers.

The proprietors of 101 Beer Kitchen, Thad and Jess Kittrell, opened their very first 101 Beer Kitchen in Dublin, Ohio, in 2012. Chef Thad Kittrell and his culinary team feature a menu that specializes in rustic offerings made with fresh, local ingredients that are paired with craft beer selections.

Founded in 2011 by the famous actor/singer brothers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg and their chef brother Paul, Wahlburgers has 26 locations throughout the U.S., including Cincinnati, Ohio. The original Wahlburgers opened in Boston, Massachusetts, and is the focus of an A&E TV series.

The menu includes specialty burgers, sandwiches, salads, house-made condiments, frappes, vegetarian options, ice cream floats and more.

Look for continued updates from Carmel Monthly as more information becomes available about their grand openings, scheduled for early 2021.

Quality Construction That Exceeds Expectations

Birkla explained the difference between a Novo Development Group project versus others.

“I’ve been in this business 25 years, and I’ve never experienced such an amazing, passionate team collaboration exhibited by our Proscenium crew, Carmel Mayor James Brainard, Carmel City Council and the Carmel Redevelopment Commission. Attention to detail and service is critical and what sets us apart.  This project will set the precedent for all-inclusive luxury community living.”

Birkla pointed out that his development company enhanced the flooring system with additional concrete, a premium Acoustimat sound control system and thicker acoustical insulation  so that the noise transmition will meet or exceed the industry-preferred standards. In order to eliminate ambient noise, windows throughout the project were upgraded to Pinnacle by Lindsey Windows.

Birkla added, “When you design and develop luxury condo/apartment residences, the primary concern is containing noise from other neighbors and the outside hustle and bustle of life, and because we are a mixed-use development, that is a priority.  Our goal is to ensure this experience is parallel to purchasing a custom home where the client is in charge and makes the choices best suited for his or her life. Whether buying or renting a luxury unit, we envision our residents enjoying our all-encompassing community with shopping, dining, grocery and entertainment ultra-convenient and within mere steps of your front door.”

Nova Development Group and Birkla Investment Group Are All In

Birkla and his team are extremely proud of the Proscenium project and will relocate their own headquarters there soon.  When asked why he chose Carmel and this location above any other in the Midwest, Birkla answered, “Mayor Brainard and the City Council have a vision, and the Carmel Redevelopment Commission has adopted that same vision. Carmel is consistently ranked one of the best places to live in America, and Hamilton County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Midwest.  People want to live and work in Carmel.  The vibe this city conveys is like none other.  We are all-encompassing and welcome everyone.  We’re a little urban, a little suburban, artsy, progressive, business and family-friendly; the best of America’s crossroads.”