What's going there? 7 construction sites that are changing Indianapolis

Indianapolis Star

5 days ago

Across Indianapolis, construction crews seem to be everywhere, working on projects that will improve life for residents, boost the capacity for the city to host large events or serve the city's professional sports teams.
From a new pedestrian-focused bridge to a revamp of the summertime stomping ground that is the Indiana State Fairgrounds, here's a look at seven construction sites that are changing the city's makeup in 2025.
The Indiana State Fairgrounds has completed a massive rehaul of one of its entrances off Fall Creek Parkway.
The Gate 5 project has been under construction since the beginning of the year. The red entrance with large white letters reading "Indiana State Fairgrounds" provides a bright contrast to the existing brick entrances and allows for a seamless entrance off to the right when driving southwest down Fall Creek Parkway.
The Gate 5 project represents Phase I of a $21 million upgrade to the fairground's property, which will include more gate restructuring, landscaping and stormwater upgrades. The state legislature approved money in its 2023 budget for the beautification project, which fairgrounds officials say will improve safety.
Phase Two of the project will start this fall.
After three years under construction, the Bottleworks project hit another milestone with the opening of its newest office building.
The Phase I and II buildings are fully leased, Hendricks announced shortly after the second phase completed construction earlier this summer.
The Bottleworks expansion won't stop there. As part of Phase III, law firm Ice Miller LLP will move to a 11-story build-to-rent building in the Bottleworks campus.
In late April, city and community officials unveiled the $30 million 16 Tech Bridge on the near northwest side, providing a thoroughfare that connects the 16 Tech Innovation District and the hospitals along 10th Street.
The silver wave-like structure road includes two lanes of car traffic and outside protected lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, which provides an easy way to go from the White River Trail to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, and vice versa.
More: Here are 8 Indianapolis roads and bike trails under construction that will open in 2025
A massive skyscraper that will change the Indianapolis skyline remains one of the largest construction sites downtown.
The Signia by Hilton Hotel at the corner of Illinois and Georgia Streets will stretch 38 stories into the sky and include a whooping 800 guest rooms once completed in 2026. The structure is built up to 33 stories, and the project, which is ahead of schedule, will reach a key milestone of 50% completion by the end of July. By September, crews will reach the high point of the structure.
The hotel will include ballroom and convention space, allowing for Indianapolis to host two large events at once.
Capital Improvement Board officials shared an inside look of the tower's construction two months ago to show progress on the hotel expected to drive billions of dollars into the tourism industry. Tourism officials have begun to show model rooms to convention leaders in town to book the Indiana Convention Center.
Construction is also ongoing on the west portion of Georgia Street, directly outside the Signia, which remains closed to cars as the city converts it to a pedestrian-friendly plaza that resembles a park.
Across from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a pile of dirt represents an exciting new life coming to the east end of Georgia Street.
Boxcar Development LLC, an investment group led by Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon and the rest of the Simon family, will develop an upscale Shinola hotel and 4,000-seat entertainment venue on the site of the vacant CSX building at 230 S. Pennsylvania St.
The development is one way the Simon family is expanding its presence downtown, in an area that experts speculate could come to resemble a sports entertainment district.
The Marion County Jail housed inmates for years at a central parcel downtown, which many thought should have a more public use. The demolition of the jail this year opened the door to redeveloping the dilapidated building.
In its place, Pacers Sports and Entertainment is building a gleaming new $78 million performance facility for the Indiana Fever. Complete with two regulation basketball courts and a ground-level team store, the development represents an investment in the city's professional women's team that is growing in popularity and influence.
The Indianapolis International Airport in June celebrated the groundbreaking of a long-awaited Westin hotel, which has been in the works for nearly 20 years. The 253-room hotel will open in late 2027.
The $205 million project will usher in a new era for the Indianapolis airport, which screened a record 10 million passengers last year and is consistently ranked the best mid-sized airport in North America.