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The developer behind plans to overhaul Circle Centre Mall as an open-air, mixed-use campus is evaluating what might come next for the Indianapolis Artsgarden, the glass-domed landmark connected to the mall’s northwest corner.
Wisconsin-based Hendricks Commercial Properties has had early conversations about options with the Indy Arts Council, which owns the event and exhibition space looming over the intersection of Washington and Illinois streets and likely would have the final say in what becomes of it.
Hendricks also is in discussions with city officials and downtown business leaders about what should become of the 30-year-old structure.
Among the options on the table are renovating the Artsgarden, rebuilding it or even relocating it to another intersection in downtown Indianapolis, according to stakeholders.
“What’s important is, where do we want to take the Artsgarden in the future?” said Rob Gerbitz, CEO of Hendricks. “We want it to be a space that people can come in and gather and go there.”
Hendricks has not come to any conclusions on the best solution for the space, which hosts hundreds of events every year including weddings, banquets and community activities. But the structure has begun to show its age in certain areas, including infrastructure elements like the HVAC system.
Hendricks, which assists on maintenance for the Artsgarden just as the former mall ownership group did, expects major renovations will be needed to update the space. In recent years, the audio and video systems were upgraded, but Gerbitz said some of the glass needs to be replaced and the mechanical systems need serious work.
The developer is working closely with the Arts Council on finding the right path for the structure, which connects to each of the four buildings on the corners of the intersection via skywalks as part of downtown’s extensive sheltered-walkway system.
Two of those connectors—for Circle Centre and the Embassy Suites hotel—are original to the Artsgarden’s construction. When the Conrad Indianapolis hotel was built in 2006, it was also connected into the dome. The PNC Center connector was added in 2011.
Early plans for Hendricks’ planned $600 million overhaul of Circle Centre first were announced in December 2023.
While the company is evaluating how the Artsgarden could continue to tie in former mall space, another option on the table is relocating the structure altogether, which could involve a physical move of the existing Artsgarden or building a new iteration at another location.
“It doesn’t have to be there—we certainly don’t really feel it has to be there,” Gerbitz said. “But it’s about working with [the Arts Council] and saying, ‘OK, what is the best long-term future?’ We think it’s an important piece, certainly as a structure, right now. But is that the best location, or is there’s a better location? Let’s figure out what that is. We’re just trying to think of different ideas.”
When it opened Sept. 8, 1995, the Artsgarden was considered a crown jewel for downtown’s growing event industry, offering a flexible performing arts and gathering space in a unique location, suspended 17 feet above a major intersection.
The $12 million facility was paid for through a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
The Artsgarden is a major source of revenue for the Indy Arts Council. The venue hosted 218 events in 2024 and 263 events in 2023.
“We are in conversation with Hendricks as the developer, but also with other civic partners and the city and other stakeholders on continuing to ideate on what this could be and what it means for the future,” said Melissa Rowe, director of marketing and communications for Indy Arts Council.
Rowe acknowledged that there are some challenges with operating the space, including heating and cooling in extreme temperatures. But she added that having the structure directly connected to the surrounding buildings has been a major selling point over the years.
“We value the connectivity of it, for sure,” she said, noting the proximity to hotels and access to multiple parking garages. “But if other solutions are being proposed, we’re open to hearing what those may be. … We’ve heard [moving the Artsgarden] proposed as one of the many options, but we don’t have any specifics on what that could look like.”
Rowe said she expects the Arts Council to be able to take a closer look at the future of the space once an ongoing venue assessment is completed this autumn. The assessment is meant to inventory all of the performance spaces in Indianapolis to identify areas of opportunity for the organization.
Taylor Schaffer, president of Downtown Indy Inc., said that regardless of what ultimately happens with the Artsgarden, she’s pleased that Hendricks is taking a hard look at not only Circle Centre but the area surrounding it.
“It’s been exciting to hear Hendricks continue to acknowledge the importance of that venue and supporting those goals of the Arts Council,” she said. “It’s indicative of how the developer has approached this project from the outset–really thinking holistically about the impact on the users of downtown.
A representative of Mayor Joe Hogsett’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hendricks, which is several years into the Bottleworks District revamp on downtown’s northeast side, plans to spend up to $300 million in a multiyear first phase of the Circle Centre redevelopment.
Those initial plans are largely expected to focus on the southern block of the property, which has been closed for the past several months for pre-construction activity.
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The Artsgarden has lived its life and purpose, and it’s time to go! The underspace has not seen direct sunlight in 30 years and has contributed to the attraction of vagrants, beggars, and homeless.
Hendricks has become the most transparent, concerned, and quality developer this city has ever seen, especially as described in this article!
The Arts Council has milked this free gift from the Endowment for long enough, and their money making events should now go back to the private sector, instead of acting like an event company. The Arts Council should also go back to their original purpose of promoting the arts, and not trying to actually be the arts or property managers, while competing with the private sector.
Time to tear this copy of a structure from New York City down, and open the streets up again, and allow Hendricks the courtesy and opportunity to redevelop the Mall site without having to fit an albatross into their front door!
+1 well said. If they do decide to move it, I think it would make a beautiful conservatory / greenhouse situated within White River State Park.
“We value the connectivity of it, for sure,” It is terrible urban design, sucking foot traffic off of the street level. It is terrible for connectivity, blocking the views of the street scape and discouraging pedestrians from walking through the dark hole underneath.
How many people actually use the ArtsGarden to get around? Seriously. Maybe when the Circle Centre was active, a few people would use it to cut through, but those days are long gone. Even if it sort of looks like a massive skyway, it hardly has the same function. It’s a cool novelty. The foot traffic attracted to it is negligible.
As for attracting vagrants and homeless underneath, that has far more to do with the current leadership enabling homelessness and vagrancy, much as they do in most American cities. Simply enforcing loitering laws would put a quick end to that; the space under the ArtsGarden didn’t have this problem 10 years ago.
Why not put some uses in the ArtsGarden that require admission? Nice as it was when inside, it felt underutilized. Honestly, a botanical garden or an apiary doesn’t seem like a half-bad idea.
And frankly, enlivening the space underneath with ceiling art could help it feel less like a space shuttle invaded the intersection…provided the art isn’t so distracting that it interferes with driving.
It looks like an arboretum or botanical garden so it might make sense to officially turn it into one.
Well, that was fun while it lasted.
I’ve always appreciated how it broke up the flatscape that is downtown, and really Indianapolis in general — there are no hills, mountains, bodies of water, etc.. That said I’ve been inside the Artsgarden two or three times — why” I don’t remember. I don’t really think it lives up to its namesake: “arts” OR “garden”. It seems to be a good place to get out of the rain or spread out your junk and troll for handouts. I too have much faith in Hendricks and look forward to seeing how this all unfolds.
Turn it into literally anything else. Back when the mall was still open any time I walked through there it was like 4 people eating lunch and 2 paintings or maybe someone playing a guitar. I don’t understand the purpose of what it was initially supposed to be but it was basically just a walkthrough lobby that no one ever knew what it was.
That’s not even close to an accurate description of what the Artsgarden USED to be. For many years after it opened, it really was a very cool space, activated with art shows, musical performances, etc. And truer to its moniker of ArtsGARDEN, it actually had very large trees and a variety of colorful planters – not those sad excuses for trees you’ll find there these days. I remember when the Artsgarden would be FILLED with people at every table, and even on the stairs, eating and taking breaks from shopping at was once a thriving mall. I do hope they are able to include an improved version of the Artsgarden in the new plans for Circle Centre.
Only in America! 30 years of use or less sometimes and it has to go! RCA Dome, Market Square Arena, and now the Arts Garden. The structure is iconic and connects multiple properties to the Convention Center and it should be upgraded, modernized and remain. Thanks to the Lilly Endowment for its original contribution to this unique asset and thanks to the Arts Council for their stewardship. Always easier to tear things down than it is to build them up. The Arts Garden needs to stay and be incorporated into Hendricks needed and ambitious plans for the Central Business District.
The arts garden was never really even used for anything. At least the Dome and MSA were real places.
Here, here! As a member of the Indianapolis Arts Council (93-99) that conceived and jubilantly supported the creation of the Artsgarden, I feel sad for those respondents here who can’t see a brighter and better future. In complete agreement with the notion that we must do better, let’s remember that Indianapolis has a centuries old reputation for doing better than everyone else thinks it can be/do. Time to step it up once more!
May I suggest Hendricks seriously consider a national or international design competition to bring forward the best, brightest and doable project – new space -for Indianapolis. There are a number of criteria for success, but Indianapolis and Hendricks are capable.
So as Marvin Gaye would say, “Let’s Get It On”.
Claudia Polley
Claudia – we also have a history of bulldozing our best history to make way for nothing.
Hopefully we do not repeat that part of our legacy this time around :/
I always disliked how the structure blocked the street views of the IRT/Indiana Theatre building and other buildings. It made Washington and Illinois intersection feel claustrophobic. The “arts garden” never achieved its mission for arts or events, based on my experiences anyway.
The city lost its character when that was built.
Yes, It is terrible urban design. It creates a dark hole underneath. It blocks sight lines. It was an albatross when it was built.
Some of the negative comments about the Artsgarden are valid, but as a longtime downtown office worker I found it an enjoyable retreat at lunch and a passage to the mall that was far more inviting than some the other barebones tunnels I needed to take to get there. Just as Hendricks was able to incorporate into the Bottleworks the Art Deco beauty of the former Coca Cola plant, I hope they will do the same at the Artsgarden
It’s a view stopping, low hanging semi-useless monstrosity. With the ‘mall’ destruction, take this with it. While you’re at it, how about some actual, real, taxi cabs downtown, again.
How old are you? Taxis haven’t been viable for over a decade. You would call one and it wouldn’t show up for hours if at all. You could idk use what everyone else uses…Uber or Lyft? Maybe you are just too old to even understand how to download and app.
Corey P., taxis certainly ARE still viable in many cities across the US. In fact, in some places like Chicago and NYC, taxis are often less expensive than and just as convenient as taking an Uber or Lyft, especially with an app like Curb. In a city like Indianapolis, taxis are probably less practical, but there was something to be said about being able to walk out from a dinner or a night out downtown to find a row of waiting taxis instead of having to wait 15 minutes for an Uber to show up.
Marshall P. comparing Indy to NYC is laughable.
Corey P., are you 12? I realize already that reading comprehension is probably not a strength of yours, but you also seem needlessly confrontational. In no way did I compare Indianapolis to New York City.
Save the Artsgarden. It’s become an iconic part of the downtown landscape. Ignore the comments of the provincial Hoosiers above. These folks are the ones who were happy when downtown was just one big surface parking lot. Save the Artsgarden and improve upon it!
I loved the Artsgarden! I worked across the street for about 10 years. It was a great place to go, eat lunch, catch a local performance, and view some cool art!! We used the space for a couple of events. I even attended a beautiful wedding there and then walked to the Conrad Hotel for the reception.
The biggest issue is that the Circle Centre Mall is declining. Online stores are killing brick and mortar shopping.