New rendering: CityWay's 3-story office building

June 13, 2012
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CityWay Indianapolis OfficeCityWay developer Buckingham Cos. has begun its recruitment of tenants for an office building it plans to build at the northeast corner of Alabama and South streets just east of where it is building The Alexander hotel. The plans call for a 3-story, 24,000-square-foot building featuring walls of glass, a rooftop deck, skyline views and outdoor balconies. It would stand within walking distance of CityWay's 250 upscale apartments, retail and restaurant space, the Dolce-branded hotel with about 17,000 square feet of conference and meeting space, and a YMCA branch scheduled to open in 2014. The upper two floors each would contain about 9,000 square feet of office space, and the rendering above (click for a larger version) shows space on the first floor for a restaurant and/or cafe. Buckingham hopes to finish the office building by mid-summer 2013. Locally based Summit Realty Group is handling leasing. The architect is Oz Architecture of California.

Earlier story: A fine dining restaurant, mixology bar, Qdoba and froyo shop have agreed to join CityWay's restaurant lineup.

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  • This is downtown... right?
    DustinJune 13, 2012 11:50 AM
    This building... is downtown? Um... oooooookay. First thing that came across my mind was "suburb."
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  • This is downtown....awesome!
    MarshallJune 13, 2012 12:10 PM
    I'm really digging this design! Not sure what suburb Dustin lives in, but this building seems pretty urban to me. Overall, I think that CityWay is turning into a first rate downtown development!
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    • Suburb
      DustinJune 13, 2012 12:27 PM
      To me, it looks like something I would see in a suburb. A real city would focus on buildings with more height, not a measly three or four floor building every single time...
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      • It's angled like...
        RamzJune 13, 2012 1:10 PM
        the NCAA expansion at WRSP..again with the convention center front...with all these front entrances looking the same I don't know which one I'm walking into, either the Convention Center, the Dolce or this...buckingham...psssh
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      • Building height = location?
        TJ DeckJune 13, 2012 1:19 PM
        I'm not sure how the fact that it is only a three-story building qualifies it as being suburban when the towers at Keystone at the Crossing are taller. Those buildings have the feel for a suburban office park, because they are a suburban office park. The fact that it looks like there will be some interaction on the ground level, something that you don't see in the suburbs. It could be a bit taller, but it has a more urban feel than a suburban feel undoubtably.
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      • sho
        sh8manJune 13, 2012 1:21 PM
        We are now on the cutting edge of 1962
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      • City Way
        LisaJune 13, 2012 1:35 PM
        Dustin - I wonder if you work in real estate at all? You always complain but I'm curious to know if you have any actual knowledge of how it works. Developers must build only what a market can support. We have a downtown office vacancy rate around 17%. Adding another high rise will only contribute to an even higher rate - which does not help the market. These smaller offices are more suitable to the self employed or a small business and should be easily absorbed. Let's not forget that these buildings are filling in a key piece of real estate on the south side of downtown. Every project helps and I think it shows the strength of the Indianapolis market that we're getting new projects in this business climate. I think the design works well with the rest of the project and I've been impressed with the progress overall.
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      • Weird Shapes
        Garden GuruJune 13, 2012 1:42 PM
        I wonder how well designs with angled walls and other weird shapes will stand the test of time; they will certainly date a building. I would rather see a taller building that references the main CityWay structure as per the conceptual designs from last summer. This design looks like it belongs in a neighborhood commercial district, not the Mile Square.
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      • height
        JoePJune 13, 2012 2:14 PM
        Height of the buildings doesn't define what's urban. There are many cities in Europe that are very urban (density, content), but have no tall buildings.

        This is a decent development, however, my main complaint is that it will probably have that corporate "island feel". I don't know how well it will connect with the surrounding neighborhoods. But I might be wrong...
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      • You'll see the suburban character...
        Idyllic IndyJune 13, 2012 3:25 PM
        when they install perpendicular parking on both sides of Alabama Street. Although I'm not personally a fan of this specific design, I don't object to a three-story building. I do object to the loss, or omission, of public streets that are necessary for an urban neighborhood/ pedestrian-friendly downtown.

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      • It looks suburban..because
        RobertJune 13, 2012 4:06 PM
        It looks dangerously close to those office suites that Yeager Properties have built in Noblesville, Fishers, Greenwood, etc
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        • Office Way
          Mona KerrJune 13, 2012 4:13 PM
          I like the design, and I think it fits with the other buildings that are being built within this complex. I just wish they'd come up with a less hokey name...a name that actually fits the hip vibe this complex is working so hard to brand.
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        • Facade
          NickJune 13, 2012 4:22 PM
          Robert,

          Your right.

          The rendering looks like those bright yellow buildings, except the facade looks more like the old RCA/Thomson headquarters (St Vincent's admn) on North Meridian & 465. Checked green squares like a old French factory.

          Carmel went nuts with that crazy/weird design.

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        • Indy is a super city, a world-class city
          The mantra has no clothesJune 13, 2012 11:20 PM
          This three-story marvel will greatly enhance the downtown skyline, causing visitors from Chicago, New York and Hong Kong to gawk in envy. We are truly a world-class super city now.
          A world class super city would definitely award $100 million in subsidies so that someone could build a three-story building with a bleeping Qdoaba downtown. You certainly wouldn't want to hold out until the market could bear a better project or use that money more judiciously to support downtown development that's not completely mediocre rubbish. It's hard to imagine why our skyline is an object of national ridicule:

          http://www.theonion.com/articles/shots-of-indianapolis-skyline-to-depress-nation-du,17163/

          Stay mediocre, Indianapolis. You briefly let those pesky aspirations lead you off the comfortable path, but the Super Bowl's a yellowing postcard now. Don't aspire to anything.
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        • Height Compared to What?
          ChrisJune 14, 2012 12:13 AM
          Dustin, both currently and historically the buildings in the surrounding area are (and have been) about 2-5 stories tall. The Lilly corporate headquarters building is the tallest building in the vicinity and even this rare exception is only 12 stories. This is a real city neighborhood, and this is what it looks like. Also, why should the city put up tall buildings in a part of town where they are neither needed nor wanted when a large portion of the city's downtown financial center is still covered with parking lots and low-rise buildings? It seems it make more sense to build up the skyscraper district before trying to plop a tall building down some distance away from the heart of things.

          Good design is what defines an urban area, not tall buildings. Sometimes tall buildings are part of good design, but they are certainly not a requirement for it. Even Manhattan does not have skyscrapers covering most of its area.
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        • TheHoss257
          MattJune 14, 2012 1:02 AM
          Agreed! I would just like to point out for those who havent seen the Yeager buildings to which he refers, this is not a complement. It looks like the architect is trying too hard to accomplish... ???
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        • Who is the Designer?
          pjJune 14, 2012 8:14 AM
          Cory, I know that you mentioned CSO is the architect, however, was this actually a Buckingham design? It was my understanding that Buckingham designs all of their projects through schematic design and into early design development before letting the architect take over.
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        • Geesh...
          MarshallJune 14, 2012 8:56 AM
          ... some of you people irk me! This is a great project in a time when many cities can't get anything like this done. Why does it seem that so many of you insist that everything built must be some sort of architectural wonder for it to have any value? This side of downtown has been a virtual wasteland for as long as I can remember, and someone wants to talk about holding "out until the market could bear a better project"? Buy a clue, man!
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        • But then...
          MarshallJune 14, 2012 8:59 AM
          ... maybe you're right. Perhaps, it WOULD have been better to allow it to flourish as a collection of trashy parking lots and a towyard / impound lot for another 20 years or so.
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        • Hey Marshall,
          Idyllic IndyJune 14, 2012 9:10 AM
          why not just subsidize/finance development everywhere in the county? There are scores of neighborhoods that more desperately need redevelopment assistance than does this one. I understand that all problems can't be tackled at once, but this one wasn't really a problem. Unless you believe that Buckingham and Lilly not gettting a handout was a problem.
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        • Almost forgot...
          Idyllic IndyJune 14, 2012 9:11 AM
          the handout to Keystone Construction who is managing the project on behalf of the City. Sorry Keystone, didn't mean to exclude you.
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        • Well Excuse Me
          But...June 14, 2012 1:16 PM
          ... I think that most ANY project of this magnitude, regardless of where it is built in the city, would receive some form of subsidy. And that's not just here.
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        • Makes sense then.
          Idyllic IndyJune 15, 2012 11:35 AM
          Since you've come to believe that any substantial development project should be subsidized by the government, then it's no surprise that it is happening.
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        • JW Marriott is an example..
          DustinJune 15, 2012 1:43 PM
          JW Marriott stands on its own... WAY outside of the core of the cluster of high rises... Which makes me wonder what exactly are you trying to tell me, Chris? What exactly is your point? Sure, the vacancy rate is pretty low for downtown, but one would venture to think that SOMEONE in the political game of the city's economic system would GO OUT THERE and find someone who would be interested in plopping offices, headquarters, businesses, or whatever into a building of much more considerable height. The skyline of a large city pretty much defines the city in many ways. One would be impressed, while others wouldn't care so much. But, all I am saying is that THIS particular design and building is a snore fest at best. It reiterates my point on Indy being such a boring city with such boring names like "City Way" and nothing else to prove but just good ol' redneck events like Indy 500 and lots of sports games... A horrible mass transit system, lack of rail from downtown to the airport, I can go on and on... I used to have such high aspirations for the city, nowadays... I think the city just stinks.
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          • Dustin you don't even live here
            IrvingtonguyJune 15, 2012 3:52 PM
            Why are you constantly trolling the IBJ if you think the city "stinks." Maybe you should focus on Phoenix or Tuscon where you live. I travel a good bit to major cities for my job and believe me there isn't much going on in any city in the way of new development so I'm happy to be getting what we have. Dustin if your so concerned about the design of these building, do what other people have suggested and put your money where your mouth is and develop/design your own building.
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          • So?
            DustinJune 18, 2012 12:17 AM
            So what that I do not live in Indy? Why does that even matter? That's not relevant. I find it highly amusing that you sat there and mention that you have traveled to other cities and flat out said there weren't anything going on in "the way of new development." That's so funny. You act like you are in the complete know of every single city's activities and development plans which I find it incredibly hard to believe. I, myself have traveled to other cities and have found far more interesting projects going on in those cities compared to this silly one called, "City Way." By the way, I've stated my opinion. I'm entitled to it. If you don't like it, what are you going to do about it? Deal with it. They are MY thoughts.
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            • At Least An Indiana Architect Didn't Design It.
              An ArchitectJune 18, 2012 2:30 PM
              Well, at least it's taking resident taxpayer money and giving it to an architect from California... Gotta love that. Way to support local businesses. There are architects in town that could do a much better job than this proposed design.
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            • JW Marriott Is A Bad Example
              ChrisJune 18, 2012 3:57 PM
              Dustin, JW Marriott is NOT an office building and it is an extremely rare exception that was heavily subsidized by the city and was built solely to fill the need for a large convention hotel for big events such as the Super Bowl. Also, it is appropriately next to the Convention Center, and connected with a walk-way. And to answer you as to what is the point of my earlier comment, I think it was already quite clear, but I will sum it up and add on a bit more: (1) Indianapolis has a fairly high office vacancy (not low, as you incorrectly stated) already in its central business district (18% commercial vacancy according to Cassidy Turley brokers). It certainly has no need for the construction of a large office building, and a high-rise building would be an unnecessary large office building. Moreover, Indianapolis historically has never been a major financial center or corporate headquarters city. Low to mid-rise office space as generally been the type of office space needed for the industries and businesses making up the bulk of the city's local economy (e.g. biotech, IT, healthcare, manufacturing, etc.) Indianapolis does have a handful of large corporate headquarters, such as Lilly's HQ, but it has far less than many other big cities. Also, the large companies hardhearted in Indianapolis already have their office space needs adequately met. (2) If a tall office building were to be built in the central city in the future, it would make far more sense from a development view to put it in the financial district on one of the empty parking lots or on a parcel with an obsolete low-rise building, not on a small parcel of land some distance to the south near Lilly's low-rise office campus, (3) With the Super Bowl gone, Indianapolis now has a problem filling its existing hotel rooms. There is no need for another mega-hotel, and if such a need were to develop in the future, such a hotel would need to be built on a larger parcel of property with sufficient access to accommodate the logistics of a large event, (4) Even with the increasing demand for living downtown and the city's willingness to heavily subsidize new downtown residential development, all the new construction has been low to mid-rise construction. The one tall residential building recently proposed was a student housing project across the street from IUPUI (a educational center were a large number of individuals would want an apartment nearby, and the general consensus was that the developer simply proposed a highrise project fully expecting to have to "downscale" to get zoning approval for the 10-story building they really wanted to construct, (5) I never stated or suggested that I have some special knowledge of all development plans in the city for the present or future, you are simply pulling that remark out of your rear-end to be flippant. However, I do considered myself well-informed about development in the city, and I track development proposals and projects in the news and on development websites, (6) It is good to hear you are well-traveled. But, I am also very well-traveled, and I have been to every major city in the U.S. (some multiple times) and to many of the major cities elsewhere in the world. So, I am not sure what your travels have to do with the plans to construct a small office building in Indianapolis? Would you care to explain?; and finally, (7)If you find Indianapolis boring, then you should be happy to learn there is no force field trapping you in the Indianapolis metro area. You are free at any time to get a job and move to another city that you find more exciting and stimulating--New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, and others, take your pick and enjoy the skyline there.
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            • If You Live in Phoenix, It is Even More Laughable
              ChrisJune 18, 2012 4:08 PM
              Dustin, if you live in Phoenix, or skyline wise, even worse, in Tuscon, then your comments are even more absurd than they first appeared. Phoenix is a much larger city than Indianapolis, and yet Phoenix is notorious for being a sprawling low-rise city with a skyline that looks puny even compared to much smaller cities, such as Portland, OR. And many cities have outlying office parks with bigger skylines than Tuscon has (although, I do much prefer the the cooler and wetter weather of Tuscon and its more dramatic scenery to Phoenix). While you are certainly entitled to have an opinion about whatever you wish to comment on, perhaps your energies would be better focused on building up the skylines of the city of Arizona before giving development advice to other cities.
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            • Chris
              MarshallJune 20, 2012 9:54 AM
              Good post! Generally, I agree with MOST of your comments. Your point #3 is, I think, a bit off as statistics for 2011 (prior to the Super Bowl) would indicate both the downtown and suburban hotel occupany rates were: A) higher than the national average and, B)an increase over 2010 even with the opening of the JW
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            • Indy's Boring Skyline
              GregNovember 16, 2012 7:45 PM
              I am wondering if Indianapolis will ever get a tall building? Currently, Indy's skyline ranks as one of the most boring, if not THE most boring, skyline of any city in the United States. Indy needs to progress beyond being a small town in the middle of a cornfield, and that will never happen until we get a signature high rise building. I know that conservative Hoosiers don't like to hear this, which is why Indiana will never amount to anything beyond NO PLACE.
              Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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            1. So the Mayor adds another non value added layer to having a vehicle towed? Whereby the City Government RECIEVES AN ILLEGAL KICKBACK FROM A LGOISTICS COMPANY THAT SUBS THE WORK TO LOCAL TOW COMPANIES? What is the service the City performs for receiving the "tribute"? This is RICO!!!!! What a corrupt and unnecessary layer. What a dirtbag Mayor and his cronies.

            2. Owner occupied housing. Clear enough?

            3. So people think I am paranoid. It's from experience in dealing with puds requested by developers who make major donations themselves to representatives, have nice fund raisers for those running for office and hide through pac's. then there are the public relation firms. You will note some pr comments below. You there Clyde Lee? My opinion. Commercial along 421, great. Multifamily housing, terrible idea that will change the town. Senior condos or zero lot line homes west, great. I suggest keeping all entries to commercial areas at 421. All entries to owner occupied on sycamore. Will keep the traffic on sycamore down some. Two other things. You can't trust what will be there in 10 years. Steve builds quality stuff, but areas change over time. Look at the changes at the wall mart center at 86th and 421 over the last 10 years. Look at the apartments and neighborhoods behind St Vincent's. Raintree properties WILL decrease in value if commercial and multifamily goes in near. It has already been happening around the bridges area. The houses that have been sold recently are way below market. Several deals not closed due to the Illinois construction and the whole unsurety of the bridges. It's pretty simple, Zionsville will approve the whole thing because the city council has been groomed over a LONG period of time for this. I might even suggest some are in their position as a result of this.

            4. Esta, do you have a dog in this fight? You seem to really want to knock anyone against this project. No, I didn't move to Indiana for the architecture. I moved here for that red barn in the field. The horses and fields of corn. A place that is NOT overdeveloped. There are plenty of nearby places in Indianapolis that could be REDEVELOPED instead.

            5. RKW - OK, we get it, you're paranoid. The question is, are you paranoid enough? Greg - Yes, Pittman(s) is (are) at it again. They are developers, they build things. It's what they do. So when you go to work tomorrow, Greg, you're at it again too. Cliff - Really? You moved to Indiana for its progressive architecture? That's like moving to England for the cuisine. Zionsvillain - The house you moved to was once a field or woods. I'm willing to bet folks were upset when that ground was plowed under and a house was built. But I guess now that you are in, everything should stop? "My house was OK, but the next one is sprawl." SE Guy - Please don't paint us with such a wide brush. Most reasonable Zionsville residents welcome planned, measured development.

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