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Indianapolis-based developer Kite Realty Group Trust said this week it expects to shore up financing for its proposed $550 million hotel and convention center expansion project on Pan Am Plaza by the end of this year.
The company, which largely specializes in shopping centers, said through a spokesman it remains committed to the project, which it has been involved with since 2018. The development calls for a $120 million expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, along with an upscale 40-story, 800-room hotel with the Signia by Hilton flag—both of which are expected to be completed by early 2026.
See gallery of new images for the project below.
Kite and Capital Improvement Board of Marion County officials said while current market conditions for major real estate projects have been challenging, they’re on track to meet a deadline to finish all pre-construction and financing work by the end of 2022. That requirement is part of a project agreement signed in early 2021 that specified each party’s responsibilities.
There are no plans to alter the development’s scope from the current plans last updated in 2020—which include a later phase that would add a 600-room hotel adjacent to the Signia.
“The project is moving forward, and while rising construction costs have posed a challenge, the team is on course to secure financing by the end of the year,” Bryan McCarthy, Kite senior vice president of corporate marketing and communications, said in written remarks. “The plans for the Indiana Convention Center expansion and Signia by Hilton branded hotel have not deviated from the shared designs. We look forward to helping create a landmark development for the City of Indianapolis.”
Tom McGowan, chief operating officer for Kite, also previously told IBJ the pieces for the project should be in place by the end of the year.
Andy Mallon, executive director of the CIB, said the hotel and convention center addition should open in early 2026, “assuming we keep the current pace.” Multiple major conventions have committed to the city with a contingency the project is completed in time for their events. Those conventions include the American Dental Association and Gen Con.
Some underground construction work could begin as early as this autumn following the completion of the NBA 2K League’s season-long stint at Pan Am Pavilion, which will be demolished as part of the convention center expansion plan. However, a date for a ceremonial groundbreaking has not been set.
Mallon said design documents for the project are being completed in phases. The CIB and Kite did provide several new and updated renderings of the project to IBJ. Ratio Architects is the design firm on the project.
The renderings include a first look at the convention center’s main ballroom and the hotel’s guest suites, and updated designs for lounges, bars and dining areas at the hotel.
Another rendering shows the full scope of the development, including the second-phase hotel and a third tower on the northeast corner of Capitol Avenue and West Louisiana Street. Kite’s McCarthy said the tower is a “potential future development opportunity,” but declined to elaborate.
A rendering of the proposed redevelopment of at Pan Am Plaza in downtown Indianapolis. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
A rendering of the main ballroom planned for the new Indiana Convention Center expansion. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
A rendering of the main ballroom planned for the new Indiana Convention Center expansion. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
A rendering of the lobby bar for the new Signia by Hilton hotel at Pan Am Plaza. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)- A rendering of the restaurant for the new Signia by Hilton hotel at Pan Am Plaza. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
A rendering of the boardroom for the new Signia by Hilton hotel at Pan Am Plaza. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
A rendering of the elevator bay for the new Signia by Hilton hotel at Pan Am Plaza. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
A rendering of a hotel room at the new Signia by Hilton hotel at Pan Am Plaza. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
A rendering of the lobby bar for the new Signia by Hilton hotel at Pan Am Plaza. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
A rendering of a meeting room at the new Signia by Hilton hotel at Pan Am Plaza. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
A rendering of a meeting room at the new Signia by Hilton hotel at Pan Am Plaza. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
A rendering of the Sky Bar Lounge at the new Signia by Hilton hotel at Pan Am Plaza. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
A rendering of the Sky Bar Lounge at the new Signia by Hilton hotel at Pan Am Plaza. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
A rendering of the Sky Bar Lounge at the new Signia by Hilton hotel at Pan Am Plaza. (Courtesy of Kite Realty Group Trust and Ratio Architects)
Efforts to mitigate any cost overruns for the project are also ongoing, Mallon said, particularly as inflation continues to hamper development projects in Indianapolis and beyond.
“Cost volatility is a challenge on all construction projects right now,” he said in emailed responses to questions from IBJ. “We are working in real time with the designers, contractors, Kite and the Signia by Hilton design team to address these and other challenges. Optimizing the program, design details, and constructibility of the project to mitigate cost escalation is a high priority.”
In a statement, a city spokesperson said work is continuing behind the scenes to ensure the project moves forward effectively.
“Despite all the challenges with construction costs and supply chain issues as we emerge from the pandemic, the schedule for closing, construction, and completion of the project remain on track,” said Mark Bode, director of communications for Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Over the last year, City, CIB, and Kite have been working diligently on construction and operating agreements, as well as financing matters and have made tremendous progress on the design of the hotel and ballrooms. They have also been working closely with Hilton on Signia design elements and operations.”
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“The plans for the Indiana Convention Center expansion and Signia by Hilton branded hotel have not deviated from the shared designs. We look forward to helping create a landmark development for the City of Indianapolis.”
That’s encouraging. But then there’s:
“Cost volatility is a challenge on all construction projects right now,” he said in emailed responses to questions from IBJ. “We are working in real time with the designers, contractors, Kite and the Signia by Hilton design team to address these and other challenges. Optimizing the program, design details, and constructibility of the project to mitigate cost escalation is a high priority.”
That’s a bit concerning. Those statements seem almost contradictory.
It was a mistake to not have pressed forward with the project through the pandemic when money was cheap and abundant and prices were not so inflated. It’s a 3-4 year build so I’m surprised they didn’t look through the pandemic and understand that COVID would be a distant memory by the time they would’ve finished. They could be a year from opening by now, just as hotel occupancy has returns to normalish levels. And the financing would’ve been dirt cheap.
I’ve been wary of the project ever getting off the ground ever since the initial delay. I still am, unfortunately. I just don’t see Indianapolis actually get these projects off the ground with any consistency. Hoping this one goes through because downtown really needs to establish some momentum.
Nathaniel Z. – Agreed with everything you just said.
I would just add that by waiting, Kite now is also having to plan around many
other project competitors that may significantly alter the original design.
The original design had a big wow factor and would be a great addition to our skyline.