From left to right: Jamie Neal, president of Knox County Chamber of Commerce; Kirk Bouchie, Vincennes Water Utilities manager; Chris Pfaff, CEO of Knox County Indiana Economic Development; Phil Reinbrecht, president of Simplified Developments; Joe Yochum, Vincennes mayor; and Steve Blinn with the Vincennes Redevelopment Commission gather to shovel the first bit of dirt for the groundbreaking ceremony of Bierhaus Flats.
VINCENNES – A “major key for growth” broke ground June 16, with area civic leaders and construction professionals formally launching a $35 million housing project that will support local talent attraction and retention, according to Chris Pfaff, CEO of Knox County Indiana Economic Development. Construction is now underway for 240 new apartment units in Vincennes, which will now be built in one continuous phase instead of the original three-phase plan.
Pre-leasing for the new apartments is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with first move-ins available during the first quarter of 2026, according to Phil Reinbrecht, president of Simplified Developments.
The new market rate apartments, located on Bierhaus Boulevard in Vincennes, will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom options and were designed by Simplified Developments, LLC. Elite Construction Services, a Simplified Developments sister company, will provide construction services. The firms have designed and built multiple new housing units in Gibson, Vanderburgh, and Daviess counties.
“This new development will help satisfy local demand for market rate housing required for talent attraction and workforce expansion,” said Pfaff. “This is a strong strategic match that is expected to support economic growth in the Knox County region.”
“The spectrum of apartment types that will be available from Simplified Developments represents a major plus for the greater Knox County area,” said Jamie Neal, President of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce. “From young professionals establishing a career to families with children or other needs, these new facilities will enhance our already strong quality of life and attraction capacity.”
The $35 million project will include five market rate apartment buildings offering 890-1,325 sq. ft. apartments in 1–3-bedroom configurations on the southeast side of Vincennes. The new apartments will be located near existing amenities, with easy access to the dual-lane U.S. 41 roadway.
“We’re confident that professionals looking for a place to grow in Vincennes will find these new apartments to be a strong option,” said Pfaff.
Simplified Developments, a family-owned residential development company located in Gibson County, began working with Pfaff, Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum, and other city officials in 2023 to plan the project. Approval of a $3.1 million award from the Indiana Finance Authority to support residential infrastructure for the project was received earlier in 2024. Final details with the Redevelopment Commission were completed in early June.
“The Mayor, Chris, Jamie, and others in the community have provided a strong leadership team to support this project and have been great to work with,” said Reinbrecht. “This project took time to put all of the parts together, but it’s coming at an excellent time of strong demand.”
“Simplified Developments hold strong established experience for these types of projects and we’re pleased to have this now underway for Vincennes and the region,” said Mayor Yochum. “We expect this to boost the area’s economy and opportunities.”
The project received TIF-funded infrastructure support and a tax abatement by the Vincennes City Council.
Media contact: Michael Snyder, MEK 317-805-4870
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About Knox County Indiana Economic Development (KCIED)
Established in 1981, Knox County Indiana Economic Development’s leadership and vision have created an atmosphere of cooperation. We are dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life for the citizens of Knox County by developing the overall economy of the county. KCIED has a supportive board that is actively involved in the recruitment, expansion, and retention of businesses. In addition to a strong partnership with the City of Vincennes and Knox County government, Knox County Indiana Economic Development has more than 100 private members that help fund the economic development efforts. For more information, please visit https://knoxcountyindiana.com/
About Simplified Developments, LLC
A family-owned business with more than 40 years of development and construction experience, Simplified Developments has built and operated apartment complexes and condominiums in Haubstadt, Washington, and Princeton, Indiana. For more information, visit https://
About the Knox County Chamber of Commerce
The Knox County Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization consisting of members in the business, government, education, and not-for-profit industries. Any business, government entity, school corporation, or not-for-profit is welcome to join. In 2022 and 2023, the Knox County Chamber proudly earned a total of four Innovative Excellence Awards for member promotions. In 2021, the Knox County Chamber was awarded the 2021 Indiana Chamber of the Year from the Indiana Chamber Executives Association. Adding to the honor, Jamie Neal was recognized at the 2021 Indiana Chamber Executive of the Year. Remarkably, the Knox County Chamber is the first-ever recipient of both accolades in a single year. For more information, please visit https://www.knoxcountychamber.