Turner James Investments

Turner Woodard, Owner and President
Turner James Investments

TurnerWoodard is an Indianapolis native who has successfully carved his niche in commercial development through “adaptive reuse,” altering a building or property originally used for one purpose into something new that is productive and beneficial. He is the owner and president of Turner James Investments, is a holding company that owns unique income producing properties including The Stutz Business Center,The Stutz II, North CollegeWoods condominium complex and Wasatch Lake.

Woodard started his current career path in the 1980s by purchasing real estate in Irvington and Meridian Kessler neighborhoods.He also managed a factory building on Michigan Road where he sub-leased the 50,000 square foot facility to several small businesses in the city.

In the early 1990s Woodard decided he wanted to own a similar property in Indianapolis. Realtors led him to The Stutz factory on CapitolAvenue between 10th and 11th Streets.There were rumors that the building could be torn down and land reused for a parking lot or a new high rise.Woodard,who had heard stories about the factory and its famous first owner Harry Stutz (inventor of the Bearcat race car) from his father, spent several months researching the economics of the 400,000 square foot purchase.

The numbers proved to add up on paper, and today,The Stutz Business Center offers small- to mid-sized business owners Indy’s most unique space for rent.TodayThe Stutz houses more than 150 tenants, including architects, artists, attorneys, graphic design firms, advertising firms, Internet design firms, engineering firms and other small businesses of all kinds. In fact, the venture has proven so successful thatWoodard purchasedThe Stutz II (the adjacent factory building south ofThe Stutz) in 2002 to accommodate additional prospective tenants.

Woodard’s additional commercial properties include a 15 unit residential building in Broadripple at 67th and College,where units are currently being sold as individual condominium homes.Woodard also ownsWasatch Lake, a nearly 300 acre wooded retreat just one-hour southwest of Indianapolis that consists of eight rental cabins, a 10,000 square foot lodge and private 50-acre lake.He currently is investigating the possibility of adding a 12 to 24 story mixed-use tower to the existing Stutz Business Center.

Woodard is a graduate of Park School (ParkTudor), attended the University of Denver and the Jim Russell Racing School in California.Upon his return to Indianapolis he had a successful career in sales within the maintenance supply industry working for HP Products,where he met many of the people working on his development and management teams to date.

Woodard’s interests range from motorcar collecting and motor racing to contemporary oil painting to tennis. He is on the boards of the Historic Landmarks of Indiana, Indianapolis Police Department Horse Patrol Association, Near Northside Development Corporation,WFYI (PBS, Channel 20) andWoodstock Country Club. He is a member of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Indianapolis Racquet Club, the Sports Car Club of America, the Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association and the Classic Car Club of America and 2007 ARTI Business Volunteer/Patron Recipient from the Indianapolis Arts Council.