Evolution of a landmark: From railroad headquarters to the Bud Light Hotel

February 3, 2012
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Bud Light Hotel IndianapolisWalking by the newly swanky and exclusive Bud Light Hotel the other day got me wondering about the building's history. I also wondered how I might finagle a ticket to the Playboy Party there, but that's another story for another venue.

The 180-room art deco style hotel at 105 S. Meridian St. was completed in 1930 as a new headquarters for the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway, also known as the Big Four Railroad. Of course the railroad (now part of CSX) also served Indianapolis.

The nine-story structure's historic name is the Chesapeake Building. It was designed D. A. Bohlen & Son and redesigned as a hotel by Browning, Day, Mullins & Dierdorf in 1997. During the Super Bowl festivities, a cool night-time light show is drawing new attention to the building's brick and terra cotta façade.

The old Big Four Railroad also built what's now known as the CSX Building at the southwest corner of Pennsylvania and Georgia streets across from Bankers Life Fieldhouse, to use as offices and a service shop for locomotives.

Ironically, the first-floor of that building is now a temporary sports bar pouring Bud Light rivals Coors Light and Miller Lite.

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  • Eagle at Old City Hall
    RyanFebruary 7, 2012 9:19 AM
    What happened to the eagle at the old city hall? There were two eagles in front of the building, both from the old Traction Terminal, and now one appears to be missing, cut from its base.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • Eagle and RR
      KentFebruary 7, 2012 11:52 AM
      Ryan, the locals news covered it before the SB, but the IDADA folks backed into it during their 'Turf' art set up. Cory, we actually used to be a railroad town, and the two buildings you mentioned helps to prove it. That's how we became known as the Crossroads of the Midwest
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      • Eagle
        CraigFebruary 7, 2012 2:18 PM
        To be clear, it wasn't IDADA's fault that the eagle was damaged. A privately contracted company to hang the banner toppled the eagle. Hopefully it will be replaced through that company's insurance.
        Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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      1. something to take iman's mind off CART,,,the league itsownself doesn't do it

      2. Someone mentioned a green roof. Every designer of a new urban building should be required to at least explore the feasibility of a green roof. The ability to cut carbon dioxide, save precious rainwater (drought this summer??) and re-use grey water, cool the building cheaper, and improve the view for neighbors, should be, not only the good neighbor thing to do, it should be the responsible neighbor thing to do. Too bad the city didn't require it when they gave up downtown green space for the Simon Building. Surprised they aren't requiring it now.

      3. About the same means down, like the TV ratings.

        My favorite tradition that needs to be brought back is the 25/8 rule.

      4. Your stats are incorrect. The 85k Government employees working in Marion County includes all government workers in Marion county. That is state, federal, non profit agencies, city and county. The stats the article list is the number of employees for all of the city/county employees and it is correct. That number includes the library, airport, convention center, and so on. The policy of extending benefits to domestic partners is consistent with private sector companies of the same size. Isn't the mantra of most conservatives "run the government like a business."

        Also, too say the "fiscal proposil is huge" without considering the actuarial factors involved is a bit of an overstatement. We really don't know if it is huge or not. If all of the people added to the plan are healthy and don't have claims then it could bring cost done or hold them neutral.

      5. There are 85,346 government employees in Marion county according to Stats Indiana.

        My understanding is that this proposal covers not only same sex partners and children, but opposite same sex partners who are not married and any kids.

        It also covers all city and county employees, plus municipal corporations which use city/county benefits packages including Health and Hospital Corporation (Wishard), Indianapolis Airport Authority, Indianapolis Convention Center,Lucas Oil,Bankers Life, Indianapolis Marion County Library, and Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo).

        Certainly Indianapolis Public Schools will also want more benefits also.

        The fiscal cost on this proposal is huge.

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