RQAW | DCCM is proud to partner with the Hageman Group and the City of Valparaiso to bring a transformative new development to the heart of their community. The Linc Apartments, a $29 million mixed-use project, is reshaping downtown Valparaiso by introducing much-needed urban housing and retail opportunities in a walkable, vibrant setting.
This four-story development features three L-shaped buildings that combine 129 market-rate residential units with 6,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor. The Linc fills a major housing gap in Valparaiso’s housing market and offers modern living and amenities while adding eight new storefront tenants to the available businesses along The Old Lincoln Highway. Residents have access to large outdoor amenity spaces, which is an uncommon feature in many downtown developments. The courtyards and alleys between buildings create a welcoming, community-oriented feel while connecting to the surrounding downtown area. Until now, there has been limited residential development in the city, making this project a major milestone for urban living in the area.
“We’re proud to have collaborated with Hageman Group and the City of Valparaiso on a development that thoughtfully integrates with the historic character of downtown while meeting the community’s evolving needs. This project brings high-quality housing and amenities to the heart of Valparaiso, enhances pedestrian activity, and adds valuable retail frontage along Lincolnway. As construction nears completion, RQAW | DCCM is excited to see this vibrant, mixed-use destination come to life and begin welcoming tenants.”
– Tyler Huettig, AIA, NCARB
Project Manager – Multi-Family Studio
Complementing the residential and retail components, RQAW | DCCM also partnered with the City of Valparaiso to design the new five-story Lincoln Highway Parking Garage constructed on the adjacent lot. Although it is a separate structure and not officially part of The Linc Apartments, the garage will provide parking for residents and support the overall accessibility and success of the site.
The Linc Apartments and the Lincoln Highway Parking Garage were made possible through a collaborative public-private partnership and support from Indiana’s READI 1.0 grant, securing almost $50 million in funding. These funds are being used for critical infrastructure and streetscape improvements across the development, including replacing aging underground utilities, separating stormwater and sanitary sewers, and enhancing the streetscapes with new lighting, planters, and trees.
Given the project’s location in Valparaiso’s historic downtown, the project was required to meet the city’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) plan, which mandated specific historical design elements such as using appropriate amount of brick and glazing to fit the existing historical nature of the downtown. Both the apartment buildings and parking garage were designed to respect and enhance the city’s existing architectural character, blending modern living with timeless charm.
“While working on The Linc and its adjacent Lincoln Highway Parking Garage, it was extremely evident how much the City of Valparaiso intended to keep the historical integrity of its downtown. We worked back and forth with their Economic Development Team to encompass the essence of the nearby historic storefronts with traditional lighting and awnings to complement the structures they had worked hard to preserve.”
– Heather Lezon, AAIA
Architectural Project Lead
RQAW | DCCM is proud to help bring our clients’ community-focused vision to life. With construction set to finish in early 2026 and a tenant waitlist already forming, The Linc will accommodate Valparaiso’s growing community and pave the way for future downtown residential development.
Multi-Family Studio Leadership
Victoria Templeton, AIA, NCARB, LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE
Senior Project Manager –
Multi-Family Studio Lead
As the Multi-Family Studio Lead, Victoria was responsible for envisioning these projects, coordinating with our internal team and third-party consultants, and generating a facility on time and on budget. She has spearheaded the creation of a thriving multi-family studio, driving impactful business development and client relations. She is dedicated to empowering the architecture community through volunteering, mentoring, public speaking, and facilitating team development.