Butler University and Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced today an adaptive reuse project that will restore historic Ross Hall on Butler’s campus, transforming it into a boutique hotel within the Curio Collection by Hilton. The project marks a significant milestone as the first Curio property located on a university campus, blending Butler University’s rich history with Hilton’s world-class hospitality to provide a one-of-a kind guest experience. 

The new Curio Collection hotel will preserve the legacy of Ross Hall, which has served as a campus landmark for nearly 70 years, offering a home to countless students and contributing to Butler’s vibrant community. Ross Hall, closed in 2019 and now inactive, will be revitalized to offer a one-of-a-kind lodging experience that honors its past while embracing modern standards of comfort. 

“We are excited to preserve the historic Ross Hall and grateful to Purpose Lodging and Hilton for their vision and desire to lead such a transformative project,” Butler University President James Danko said. “This Curio Collection by Hilton hotel will be a welcome addition for anyone traveling to Indianapolis, not just those traveling to our campus.”

Under terms of the agreement, Purpose Lodging will serve as developer and operator of the hotel. Butler will lease Ross Hall and the surrounding land to the developer who has selected The Gettys Group, an award-winning hospitality-focused company out of Chicago, to serve as the designer on the project.

Expected to open during the 2026–2027 academic year, the Curio Collection hotel at Butler University will offer 105 elegantly designed rooms and suites, a signature restaurant, and meeting spaces, all thoughtfully integrated into the historic architecture of Ross Hall. Guests will experience the unique blend of Butler’s storied past with the bespoke, high-end amenities that define the Curio Collection by Hilton. 

There are currently 172 Curio Collection hotels open in 42 countries and territories worldwide and another 84 in development. The Curio Collection hotel on Butler’s campus will be the first in Indiana. 

“Hilton is thrilled to bring a Curio Collection hotel to Butler University’s campus,” said Brooke Thomas, Senior Director, Curio Collection by Hilton. “This property will offer a one-of-a-kind experience, combining the historic charm of Ross Hall with the elevated service and bespoke amenities that guests expect from Curio Collection.” 

Butler officials chose to explore options to allow for the preservation of Ross Hall following feedback from alumni, many of whom lived in the venerable residence hall during their years on campus. After more than a year of discussions with a variety of stakeholders and potential partners, Butler officials chose to pursue this opportunity with Hilton and Purpose Lodging. 

“There were a lot of great ideas about how we could potentially use the land and Ross Hall property, but none better than this,” Danko said. “We know that the preservation of historic campus buildings is as important to both our alumni and our neighbors as it is to us. Given that Hilton is one of the most globally well-known and respected brands in hospitality, I expect the announcement that we are partnering with them to convert Ross Hall into a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel experience will be welcomed by the Butler community, our Midtown neighbors, and the City of Indianapolis.” 

Curio Collection by Hilton hotels are well-known for their distinctive architecture and locally inspired design, and every Curio property is different than the next. That was one of the factors that attracted Hilton to Butler University, which boasts three of the city’s Top 10 Most Architecturally Wonderous Buildings (Christian Theological Seminary, Clowes Memorial Hall, and Irwin Library), according to Indianapolis Business Journal. In a state where basketball is almost a religion, Hinkle Fieldhouse is celebrated as its cathedral. Irwin Library was designed by Minoru Yamasaki, a prominent 20th-century architect who also designed the World Trade Center.

“Obviously, many guests will want to stay at this property because they are attending a basketball game at Hinkle Fieldhouse, seeing a Broadway show at Clowes Memorial Hall, or visiting campus for Homecoming or Family Weekend,” Danko said. “But we believe that many travelers will view this hotel as a destination unto itself, simply because of its uniqueness and its beautiful campus surroundings.” 

The hotel is a key component of the Butler Gateway Project, Danko’s broader vision which aims to create a vibrant, interconnected community between Butler University and Midtown Indianapolis. Earlier this month, Butler announced a collaboration with key community partners, including the Martin Luther King Community Center (MLK Center), Tarkington Park, and Midtown Indy, Inc., all located within a few miles of Butler’s campus. They also announced pending construction of a new Parking, Safety, and Transit Hub, which will serve the surrounding neighborhood.

“Midtown Indianapolis is already a hub for entertainment, arts, athletics, and dining, and Butler University plays a big role in that,” Danko said. “Through key investments and community partnerships, we have an opportunity to elevate Midtown to the next level. Having a Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton in the neighborhood is a feather in our cap and provides yet another reason for people to live, work, and play in Midtown.” 

The new hotel will be part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 24 distinct hotel brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, and free standard Wi-Fi. Members also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in and choose their room.