Gurley Leep breaks ground on state-of-the-art auto mall campus in Mishawaka
SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- A state-of-the-art auto mall is on its way to Mishawaka!
Guley Leep is building the automotive one-stop shop on the former farmland that sits right off Capital Avenue and Cleveland Road, southeast of the Toll Road.
The empty plot of dirt is now one step closer to transforming into a 70-acre Gurley Leep auto mall campus, following a groundbreaking ceremony Monday afternoon.
“We thank you all for joining us for what we think is a milestone moment in the history of our company and automotive family,” said President of Gurley Leep Automotive Family Mike Leep Jr. at the groundbreaking.
Not only did Gurley Leep break ground on the massive project, but they also broke ground on its future Monday.
“Never in my wildest dreams, but thanks to my son and my nephew, it’s all coming true,” says Founder of Gurley Leep, Michael Leep Sr.
Gurley Leep executives say the goal of the project is to bring multiple dealerships, operations, and community-focused amenities together in one location.
“I’ve not seen anything like this in the country,” says Leep Jr.
The seventy-acre, ten-building campus will be complete with dealerships from eleven different brands, a used car center, full-service collision center, a proposed BMV, and Gurley Leep’s corporate headquarters.
They will be vacating their current Grape Road facilities, returning the properties back to the leaseholders who can then remarket and redevelop them.
“Theres’s a lot of synergy that we have working together on one campus is going to create efficiency for us,” explains Leep Jr.
They say what will make this auto mall unique is the focus on customer experience and for the team members that will call the campus their new work home.
It will feature walking paths, a dog park, a putting green, public car wash, an arcade, and a cafe.
“We want everybody to feel great when they come into their work home every day,” says Leep Jr.
Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood says surrounding infrastructure will be upgraded to help fit the needs the auto mall will bring.
“When you think about Cleveland Road here, it will see a major expansion of five lanes,” explains Mayor Dave Wood. “We will also be connecting in Veterans Parkway which will allow access to other parts of the area as well.”
They say the $19 million project will turn Mishawaka into a destination, changing the game for automotive sales for decades to come.
“This is a milestone investment and project for the city of Mishawaka,” Mayor Wood says.
“I think it was Wayne Gretzky that said, ‘Don’t skate to where the puck is, skate to where the puck is going.’ So, as we put tried to put this together, we’re trying to build something that’s really bigger than today. We want it to be relevant tomorrow,” describes Leep Jr.
He also says they are hoping to start a series of grand openings by June next year, in order to be all finished by Gurley Leep’s 50th anniversary in October of 2027.