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A national steakhouse chain plans to join downtown Indianapolis’ roster of white tablecloth dining establishments by leasing a space that formerly housed several upscale eateries.
Houston-based Landry’s Inc. plans to open a Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House at 14 W. Maryland St. in a spot formerly occupied by Red the Steakhouse. The latter had a 16-month run in the 147-year-old Italianate building before closing in October 2018.
A spokesperson for Landry’s could not immediately confirm the chain’s plans, but signs in the window of the restaurant site say Del Frisco’s will open in winter 2024. The chain also is advertising to hire a general manager for the restaurant at that location.
There are 17 Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak Houses nationally, most located in major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, Atlanta, Denver, Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
According to its website, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House was founded in 1981. Landry’s acquired the Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse and Del Frisco’s Grille brands in 2019 from a private equity firm.
Downtown Indianapolis is home to nearly a dozen restaurants devoted to steak, including the world-famous St. Elmo Steak House, its sibling Harry & Izzy’s and high-end chains such as Ruth’s Chris.
The 180-seat Red the Steakhouse closed as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization for its suburban Cleveland-based parent company, Red Restaurant Group. The 10,000-square-foot restaurant space, spread over the first and second floors of the four-story building, has been vacant ever since.
Eddie Merlot’s, an upscale steakhouse chain based in Fort Wayne, signed a lease to move into the space in 2019, but those plans were ultimately derailed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Constructed in 1876, the building was known as Elliott’s Block and was previously home to Indiana News Co. after serving as a warehouse annex for L.S. Ayres Co.
A major renovation in 1999 transformed the space into an upscale restaurant known as Malibu on Maryland, with hotel suites on upper floors. It also operated as 14 West Restaurant and Suites, closing at the end of 2012.
The owner of the building has tried multiple times to sell it, including listing it for $4.95 million in 2021. According to city assessor records, it is still held by JDL Real Estate Ventures LLC, which bought it for $3 million in 2014.
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I think people forgot there was a Del Frisco’s (I assume same company), back in the early 90’s. I had friends that had a rehearsal dinner planned there. The week before, with no notice, they closed. If the same company…I am less than enthused for them coming back.
Yes, that’s correct, but that was BEFORE Landry’s bought it.
The story claims Del Friscos was founded in 1981…there was one on 86th next to the Monon in Nora already in the early 80s.
Yes, there was a Del Frisco’s in the Hilbert Circle Theater building overlooking the Circle looking West (almost a clear view down Market St). Back in the mid-90s that was a great spot to have dinner during the Winter with the Circle and “World’s Largest Christmas Tree” lit up… downright magical when it snowed and you were inside having a fantastic dinner.
Great news, it’s a beautiful building and has been vacant way too long. Anyone know whats going on with the two hotels on Washington Street. No construction activity at either locations. They are becoming eyesores.
I would assume that both are stalled. As seen in the way that the Signia played out, hotel financing is tough right now.
It’s especially disappointing that the planned hotel at 40E Washington Street has yet to materialize. The lot itself is a prime location that really needs to be developed. To add insult to injury, the same developer also bought 41E Washington Street – the old IBJ building – and forced the IBJ to move to Monument Circle. The Morton’s Steakhouse in the same building closed in May of 2020 as well.
So now we have both 40E Washington Street – which is a surface lot where there shouldn’t be one – and 41E Washington Street, which is a needless vacant office building with a “for lease” sign in the window.
Hopefully people bypass this place and spend their money on locally owned places and not to a billionaire from Houston
Yeah I’m not sure what company in their right mind. Looks at downtown Indianapolis and says you know what this place needs, a steakhouse! There’s no way to succeeds… Happy to eat my words later, in the form of a steak, but it really seems like they didn’t study our market very well based on this news.
Locally owned doesn’t mean better
G M. I understand the basics of your argument but you forget that Indy is attracting more and more major conventions and sporting events and that brings in lots of people, celebrities and the BIG bucks $
The NBA All Star game and other events for example. So basically there was a need with more upscale dining and establishments that’s more recognizable to people that come here that don’t mind spending. Houston based Landry’s is owned by the Houston Rockets owner who’s very well established in Houston with restaurants and gentlemen’s clubs like Post Oak Place in Uptown Houston. If he’s eyeing Indianapolis, then that just means he see something the casual business enthusiast that comments on the IBJ don’t see or understand.
love Del Frisco’s they have had 2 locations in Indy. the Circle and before that at 86th just east of College. Owned by Tilman Fertitta, owner of Landry’s, the Golden Nuggets Casinos and T the Houston Rockets. The building is great, the parking is difficult and the ambience is unacceptable. Hope this owner does it right as they have in so many locations.
Parking difficult? It is literally adjacent to a huge underground garage which, sadly, usually has ample parking due to the lack of retail in the mall.
Wasn’t there a Landry’s in the Westin when it first opened?
That was a Shula’s.