Village of West Clay

Welcome to the Village of WestClay

Step through the arched entry of the Village of WestClay and you'll feel like you've left suburban Indianapolis behind entirely. This 719-acre planned community in Carmel, Indiana was built starting in 2000 on the principles of New Urbanism, a design philosophy that looks back to pre-World War II small towns for inspiration. The result is a walkable, self-contained neighborhood where garages hide behind homes, sidewalks connect everything, and a town center anchors daily life. It's about 17 miles north of downtown Indianapolis, with a 35-minute commute into the city.

What to Love About Village of WestClay

• A fully walkable neighborhood with 10 miles of paths and sidewalks connecting homes to shops, restaurants, and parks
• Over 171 acres of maintained green space, ponds, playgrounds, and parks designed to complement the architecture around them
• Three clubhouses with pools, fitness centers open 24/7, tennis courts, basketball courts, and meeting spaces
• A real village center with restaurants like Sahm's Ale House and Puccini's Smiling Teeth Pizza & Pasta, plus small businesses and the Carmel Clay Public Library's West Branch
• Year-round community events including summer concerts, farmers markets, a Winter Carnival, First Friday Gatherings, and the Lighting of the Village during the holidays
• Served by the Carmel Clay School District, one of the top-rated districts in the state of Indiana
• Strong neighborhood identity with an active homeowners association that keeps common areas, streetscapes, and green spaces in excellent condition

Real Estate and Homes

WestClay is one of the only New Urbanist developments in the entire Indianapolis metro area, and that shows up in how intentionally the homes are designed. Every exterior pulls from 19th-century Indiana architecture. The result is a streetscape that feels cohesive without being repetitive.

Village Area: Closest to the town center, this section features Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, and Gothic Revival styles. Housing types here include condominiums, brownstones, garden homes, villas, manors, and village homes. Lots tend to be smaller, and garages are all rear-loaded to preserve the look of the streetscape.

Estate Area: Beyond the Village Area, you'll find larger custom-built homes in later Victorian and revival styles, including Colonial, Georgian, Second Empire, Queen Anne, and Tudor. Buyers can work with approved builders and bring their own designs within the architectural guidelines.

Local Tip: The HOA here is on the stricter (and pricier) end compared to other Carmel communities. Expect firm guidelines on exterior modifications and property upkeep. For many residents, that's the whole point. It keeps the neighborhood looking sharp.

Street names and neighborhood features draw from United States history, with nods to notable Hoosiers like Senator Albert Beveridge and Congressman Schuyler Colfax. The community was specifically designed to include housing at many different sizes and configurations, from one-bedroom condos to sprawling estate properties.

Lifestyle and Local Highlights

Daily life in WestClay revolves around the Village Center. You can walk to a restaurant for dinner, stop by the library, grab coffee, or visit a small shop without ever getting in a car. Sahm's Ale House is a local favorite for craft beer and locally sourced meals. Puccini's Smiling Teeth serves up comfort-food Italian. There's also a sewing studio with classes for kids and teens, an art education studio, and several independently owned small businesses.

The outdoor amenities are hard to beat:

• Three community pools open Memorial Day through Labor Day
• Fitness rooms in each of the three clubhouses
• Tennis courts, a baseball diamond, bocce ball, horseshoe pits, croquet, and a putting green
• University Green with its Victorian gazebo and open lawn
• Blisland Commons with a park pavilion and bocce court
• Fire pits, shelters, and ponds (some open to fishing)

The community calendar stays full. Summer concerts, holiday celebrations, and special interest clubs (book groups, social clubs, fitness groups) run throughout the year. The Meeting House serves as the neighborhood's visual focal point and event hub, available for private rental by residents.

Local Tip: Coxhall Gardens, a 125-acre public park with bell towers, a recreation lake, and a children's garden, sits right next door. It's free and open year-round.

Families benefit from the Carmel Clay School District. Nearby schools include West Clay Elementary, College Wood Elementary, and Creekside Middle School. Carmel High School is consistently rated among the best in Indiana for academics, athletics, and arts.

For shopping and dining beyond the Village, The Bridges at 116th and Spring Mill is just minutes away, with restaurants like Los Arroyos and Convivio, plus the Market District grocery store. Clay Terrace, an open-air lifestyle center, is also a short drive east.