UPDATE: City picks developer for restoring Old City Hall, building 32-story tower with boutique hotel

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51 thoughts on “UPDATE: City picks developer for restoring Old City Hall, building 32-story tower with boutique hotel

    1. There’s renderings and it looks great
      With the new Hilton, the towers at Park Eleven and the 3 towers at the new hospital by Methodist, downtown Indy will look amazingly different

    2. The original story had no renderings.

      Yeah if it all happens it will definitely transform the skyline after decades of dormancy. I’m hopeful.

    3. Kevin P. ~ And there’s the two new high rises to be built across from Gainbridge Fieldhouse (one for apartments, the other for a hotel).

    1. The 28-story Market 360 apartment building cost $121 million. The City of Indianapolis contributed $5.6 million in land for the project and expended $17 million in tax-increment financing money for infrastructure.

    2. @Brent B. That was also 10 years ago. But who knows, maybe they’re choosing lower end finishes.

  1. Who were the other 3 developers who responded to the RFP? Some analysis/scrutiny of the selection process should have been a piece of this article. Dig deeper, folks. And I hope you’re not standing still w/ the City’s predictable “no comment” position on the TIF. Another item that deserves analysis/scrutiny.

    1. Sour grapes much? Maybe be a better developer and corporate citizen? TWG does it right. It’s no surprise they won this awesome project. I’m also thrilled a local developer gets the chance to continue enhancing our skyline. War Indy.

  2. Aside from all the messy details on how this project got to select the developers, I would like to say that I’m excited to finally see my city push for more robust development downtown. I’m hoping it’s a unique modern design that gives the city a signature building with stunning modern architecture

    1. Lol. Nice try. I think most everyone on here understands construction costs have increased dramatically over the past several years and a 10 year old project is simply not comparable. The Signia project cost increased pretty dramatically just from initial proposal in 2019.

      I like the project. Excited about all of the proposed towers. Hope they get built. I dont understand the price tag of this one. Seems way low. Acknowledging inflation doesn’t make one a “wet blanket”

    1. Market 360 cost $121 million and it’s 28 stories
      So for $19 million you get 4 more stories. That’s almost $5 million a story
      Sounds fair I guess

    2. If you think construction costs today are even remotely comparable to when 360 Market was built I dont know what to tell ya.

  3. Glad to see 21C will still be a part of it and restoring the old city hall. Hope this gets the go and starts on time, will be a very nice addition to the city!

  4. IBJ should do a deep dive on these TIFs. They are a mammoth tangle, hard to understand, and they are redirecting tax dollars to developers at an ever-increasing rate. Much to report on and uncover here. The folks who benefit from them would prefer to keep this gravy train a mystery. Taxpayers deserve better. It would be great reading.

    1. A single site TIF for a property that currently generates zero in property tax (it is government owned) to support development that will generate property taxes for generations isn’t exactly taking anything away from any tax receiving entities. Nor is it a tangle. It’s pretty straightforward.

  5. Imagine that building going where the Ardmore went. Would have given downtown Chicago energy to Mass Ave with that building bookending it. Good news nonetheless.

    1. Mass Ave has great energy, and growing all the time. Development continues up Mass Ave way past Bottleworks, with lots of apartment complexes in the works. I remember when Mass Ave was just Bazbeaux and that shoe store. It’s come a looooong way since then. Keep it coming, Indy!

    1. It could push 375 to 400. Signia is 40 stories and will stand 470 feet tall.

      Regardless, would be a prominent addition to the skyline

    1. I looked on the Emporis website and the two towers that are still in the proposal stage would be 26 stories tall at 360 feet. and the second tower is 16 stories at 290 feet.
      That would be a nice addition to the skyline.

  6. As for the rehab of city hall, regardless who or what occupies it,…the walls would be well served by having nicely framed photos of various Indy streetscapes with lit sconces from 1920 and back. An appropriate artistic touch.

    1. BSR

      + 1
      Sounds like a great concept. It should be as artistically & architecturally pleasing
      as possible.

  7. Love 21c, this will be a great asset for Indy. And love to see an old building repurposed (many fond Gen X memories of seeing the State Museum pendulum there). Hope the project will be done right (as opposed to simply cheap).

  8. Not exactly sure why construction is set for late next year. Maybe they are hoping for interest rates being lower by than for financing the project.

  9. The Omni Louisville Hotel is 30 stories at 394 feet and is a residential and a hotel. So Maybe we could surpass the 400 foot mark with 2 additional floors.

    1. Ron D.

      Agreed!
      If they can take it to 400 feet with two additional residential floors, then do it.

  10. Would have liked to see more than just 10 affordable units – and make them record it on title for perpetuity. Market 360 is doing fine with their rents for highest incomes. I only agree with TIF when it’s used for equity and access to make up on a small scale for all the past injustices like eminent domain land stolen for the I-70 from Southside residents and Indiana Ave.

  11. More hotel rooms when the signia was going to be “too many”?

    8 “low income”? TIF?? What a joke. Looks awful next to the old city hall – kinda like soldier field reno

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