Premier project gets a name: Venu

August 3, 2007
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Woodfield CrossingPremier Properties has unveiled some of the details of its $750-million plan for a huge mixed-use development at the southwest corner of 86th and Keystone Avenue. The project is called Venu, a play on the word venue and not a reference to the bamboo flute used in India (thanks, Wikipedia). In earlier planning stages, the project had been known as Woodfield Crossing. While the plans have not been submitted for zoning approval yet, members of the Nora-Northside Community Council expressed support for the concept Thursday. The plans call for:
  • A 24-story office tower, two 10-story residential towers and a 20-story hotel.
  • A 5,000-seat theater that would feature Broadway shows.
  • 6,000 parking spaces including three levels of underground parking.
  • About 15 restaurants.
  • LEED certification.


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    • MarshallAugust 3, 2007 10:36 AM
      Wow.... too bad a project like this couldn't find it's way to the Market Square Arena site.
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    • CorrNDAugust 3, 2007 11:20 AM
      A 5000-seat theater that would feature Broadway shows.

      Bad news for the Murat. They pretty much had a strangle-hold on the larger-than-club-but-smaller-than-arena concert and stage production market in Indy. I imagine the Murat would still be fine because they have the cachet of being downtown, but this kind of northside venue will definitely cut into their bottom line.
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    • JoeAugust 3, 2007 11:50 AM
      Isn't this development located on the SOUTHWEST corner of Keystone and 86th, not the Northwest as the story indicates?
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    • ryanAugust 3, 2007 12:13 PM
      absolutely awesome. although not downtown, this is good urban infill! i do agree with marshall on this one as well - would be great for the msa property. i think can and will escalate indianapolis into another level and we should thank premier for taking a chance on us. they also brought us the echelon building which has been one of the most stylish developments in recents years in the met area. there are a lot of hotels in the works but this will succeed. maybe even put some of the chump highway/roadside boxes out of business. this is the way development should occur! it brings people into the city (not off of a highway), leed cert, mixed-use, upward construction, etc. i think it will enhance an already known hot spot of entertainment and dining. this will be the new anchor of keystone/castleton and will hopefully set a new precedent. most definitely the highest use for this site!
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    • cschoutenAugust 3, 2007 12:16 PM
      Yes, Joe. Good catch.
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    • ryanAugust 3, 2007 12:29 PM
      any renderings for the two canal proposals or for the penn centre? i think penn met with the city/preservation groups on wed.??
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    • ryanAugust 3, 2007 12:31 PM
      sorry - i just looked at lodgeworks' (one of the canal proposals) website and they design/build some sweet buildings. now that i have endorsed them, i'm sure the more staid browning development will get picked - should've kept my mouth/email quiet...
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    • JAKAugust 3, 2007 12:48 PM
      Hey CorrND, I am not sure that the Murat should really be worried about loosing to many Broadway shows, I am pretty sure they have somekind of mutli-year contract for the shows. Plus Live Nation runs the venue there and since they have pretty much a monopoly I don't think they will sweat. What I wonder is if that 24 story office tower will hurt the already beleaguered downtown office market.
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    • FlackAugust 3, 2007 12:50 PM
      Who is Premier's naming consultant, anyway? Metropolis and now Venu. Perhaps every variation of Shoppes at Centre Crossing was already taken.
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    • JMCAugust 3, 2007 1:07 PM
      Premier Properties is taking Indianapolis into the 21st Century. Their development names reflect their vision for thinking outside the box which our city so desperately needs. They want to contribute to the communities through growth. This will be like nothing Indianapolis has seen and I am thrilled.
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    • CorrNDAugust 3, 2007 2:17 PM
      JAK -- I don't think the Murat is truly in trouble, I just think that any show that ends up at Venu is likely a show that would have been at the Murat instead.
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    • CoryWAugust 3, 2007 3:23 PM
      I am VERY EXCITED about this project!!!! Hopefully Nora doesn't kill this one too!
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    • NickAugust 4, 2007 2:04 AM
      The Murat is a horrible venue. They narrowed the seats so they could have more seating than Clowes, but now it is so uncomfortable for anyone who isn't hobbit sized, I am happy for them to have some competition. Now, Clowes is what I worry about...thankfully they have more going on than the slim pickings that the Broadway Series gives them.
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    • EOAugust 4, 2007 10:43 AM
      It's another out of the box project for Premier. Great to see that someone is doing a creative and attractive project in the City. If they pull this, that will huge.
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    • ianeckAugust 5, 2007 11:36 AM
      I'm pleased this is just across from Keystone at the Crossing. There's already big buildings there, so it won't look totally out of place. Plus, with Carmel just up the road, and the already hour+ waits at the restaurants in Keystone, there's certainly no lack in demand! I'm happy to see a high-rise office building up there too, rather than dozens of 6-8 story office buildings like up US 31. I was beginning to refer to Carmel as Mid-rise-office-building-mel (not a joke).
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    • ryanAugust 5, 2007 8:15 PM
      ianeck and eo - well put!
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    • thundermuttAugust 6, 2007 8:16 AM
      86th St. and Keystone isn't the city.
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    • UnderConstructionAugust 6, 2007 8:48 AM
      I have heard rumors of the hotel being a W Hotel. Any truth to that. The project looks great. For some reason that strip center doesn't have the pull and demand that it should for its location.

      Also, why are people criticizing The Murat. That is an incredible place to see a concert/show. Good location, amazing sound, small size allows for great seats from front to back. A new concert hall on the Northside would be a huge plus, especially if Deer Creek gets sold, it would help to have another venue.
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    • CoryWAugust 6, 2007 11:03 AM
      I too have heard that the W would locate here. This really would be the ideal location as the W wouldn't have to compete with the Conrad or the soon to be U/C JW Marrioott (or any of the other upscale hotels proposed downtown). This project really needs to happen and this location is ideal. I really see this area and theI-465 Northside corridor mirroring Atlanta's Phipps and Lennox areas.
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    • Jim BAugust 6, 2007 1:17 PM
      A W hotel, huh? Interesting. That's good, but how about a Ritz-Carlton? I think I'd rather see that brand come in. That would then really be upscale and make is world class. All in all, I like the project and think it's a great location for it. Hope it comes to pass.
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    • IndyWatcherAugust 6, 2007 3:39 PM
      At the NCC meeting last week, Chris White mentioned two hotels and stated pretty definitively that one would be Aloft by W Hotels, a new Starwood brand.
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    • Erich R. H.August 6, 2007 4:19 PM
      Hmmm... wasnt the Aloft proposed for downtown along with Le Meridien? Anyway... i do really, REALLY like this a lot! Unfortunatly, that means this wont come into fruition. Meh... :-|
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    • Erich R. H. (indiexinxindy)August 9, 2007 7:29 PM
      ALSO, i think it's freaking awesome that all of their parking will be UNDER ground...
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    • Erich R. H. (indiexinxindy)August 9, 2007 7:29 PM
      Perhaps, future developments in Indy can follow suit with the high density & under ground parking!
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