Site Confirmed for ASTA Innovation Center. $14.5M Development Project Coming to Downtown Topeka

One of Topeka’s most iconic retail spaces will soon house portions of the city’s emerging innovation district as high-profile real estate deals close, cementing the long-planned entrepreneurial hub as a reality.

Wolfe’s Camera Shop — which closed its 635 South Kansas Avenue storefront in July after 97 years in operation — has been acquired by BioRealty, the firm chosen to develop the 60,000-square-foot ASTRA (Animal, Science, Technology, Research and Agriculture) Innovation Center which will anchor Topeka’s $14.5 million ASTRA Innovation District, GO Topeka announced Thursday.

“I am thrilled that Topeka has chosen to fully subscribe to this vision and I know it will pay huge dividends in the future in terms of higher wage jobs, opportunities for local and regional talent and investments in innovative, futureproof companies,” said Katrin Bridges, senior vice president of innovation at GO Topeka.

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