Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

The City of Indianapolis is seeking proposals for an 800 room hotel downtown.

"The new 800-room hotel, which could also be an expansion of an existing hotel, is set to open (if things go as planned) in 2010 alongside an expanded convention center. Even bigger conventions will be possible in 2008 with the debut of the new Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts."

Source: Indy Star
URL: http://www.indystar.com/apps/p...AID=/20060326/NEWS01/603260467

Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

There's been a lot of talk in the IBJ, etc., of the city pushing for a new giganto hotel at Pan Am plaza on the current site of the skating rink. They've also talked a lot about the Hyatt expanding into space at National City Center that's being vacated by Simon after their new building is done. The Peterson administrations wishes appear to be for one new hotel with ~800 rooms. It would be another full-line brand. We've already got Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Westin, Radisson, and Omni. So the only major full-line hotel left would be a Sheraton, a Ritz-Carlton, maybe a Fairmont or something like that. Or perhaps an Intercontinental (which also owns Holiday Inn). Maybe they'll downgrade the Crowne Plaza at Union Station to another brand and build a new Crowne. Who knows...

Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

Five proposals are in for what would be the biggest hotel in Indianapolis. One as big as 1,000 rooms.

"Browning Marcus Joint Venture of Indianapolis. The venture is led by Michael Browning, a real estate developer who has worked on many past Downtown projects, including the Capital Center and the Downtown Marriott."

"The Bond Bank declined to release details of the proposals. And most of the companies were unavailable for comment.

But Browning confirmed he plans to build a 44-story tower on Pan Am Plaza, which sits across the street from the RCA Dome. The hotel would include 1,000 rooms and 72 residential units."

Source: Indy Star
URL: http://www.indystar.com/apps/p...060405/BUSINESS/604050387/1003

That would be impressive. A building that size could reshape our skyline. I just hope they aren't adding too much capacity. Having too many rooms could hurt the area hotels during non-event times.

Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

From this week's IBJ - REI investments wants to tear down the Courtyard Marriott/TGI Fridays over by victory field and build a huge complex with an 800-room convention hotel with meeting space (probably a Renaissance or JW Marriott - the top brands of the Marriott chain), a Fairfield Inn, a new Courtyard, and a Sprinhill Suites, plus a 1250-space underground parking garage and an indoor water park. It would connect via a skywalk across West Street to the Government Center parking garage and then across to the northwest corner of the convention center.

1350 rooms total, plus the parking, meeting space, and waterpark.

http://www.ibj.com/stories/html/story1.html

Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

Reading that story makes me wonder if we will end up getting two 800+ room hotels. One by Victory and one at Pan Am Plaza. That will certainly put Indianapolis on the mega convention map.

Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

I don't think so. Any project of this size requires funding from the city - as did the Conrad, and the Marriott before it. So the city will manage the construction project without creating a glut of hotel space.