Kentucky teams drive surge in demand for Indy’s NCAA regional
Demand for tickets and local hotel rooms spiked once it became clear that Kentucky and Louisville would meet in the Sweet Sixteen at Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend.
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Kite floats two-tower Pan Am Plaza project
The latest plan to redevelop Pan Am Plaza calls for two hotels, residential units and restaurants spread across two towers as tall as 20 stories each, sources familiar with the details told IBJ.
White Lodging says data breach reached 8 states
Merrillville-based White Lodging Services Corp. said the suspected breach affected credit cards used at hotel restaurants and lounges at 14 properties it manages, including the Marriott Indianapolis Downtown.
Developer eyes spring groundbreaking for 10-story Drury Plaza Hotel
St. Louis-based Drury Hotels is proposing to build a 10-story, 304-room hotel and stand-alone restaurant on undeveloped property at the northeast corner of Meridian and 96th streets in Carmel. Construction could begin this spring.
Big Ten football championship sells out, packs downtown hotels
The battle on Saturday between Ohio State and Michigan State, plus ESPN broadcasts and special events downtown, are expected to have a $15 million economic impact on Indy. That’s a vast improvement over the 2012 championship.
Local hotelier files for bankruptcy on 7 properties
Reeling from the recession, Bharat Patel hopes to protect the hotels from foreclosure. Their lender is owed as much as $120 million, according to court filings.
Downtown Westin Hotel to kick off $14 million renovation
The four-star establishment plans to overhaul all 13 floors and 573 guest rooms, beginning in November, as its competitors trigger similar upgrades.
Ritzier hotels may lure top events, but year-round demand unclear
Indianapolis lacks a five-star hotel, a fact some hospitality experts think could hurt the city’s chances of landing the 2018 Super Bowl. But there’s no consensus on whether the city should go more upscale.
Work starting on French Lick Resort expansion
A ceremony was held Monday to mark the start of a $15.5 million expansion of the events center at the French Lick Resort in southern Indiana.
Indianapolis named finalist for 2018 Super Bowl
Indy joins Minneapolis and New Orleans as the three NFL cities invited to bid on the big game. The 2012 Super Bowl had a $176 million direct economic impact on the city, a study said.
‘Dynamic duo’ boosts Hamilton County tourism
In eight years with the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Executive Director Brenda Myers has morphed her organization into a developer, grant giver and landlord. The strategy appears to be working.
Canterbury to change name, close for 9-month renovation
The historic downtown hotel’s new owner says the $9.5 million revamp and affiliation with an international brand are needed to compete with new high-end hotels in the Indy area.
Pan Am Plaza hotel may sweeten bowl bid
Indianapolis officials hope to include plans for a new downtown luxury hotel in their bid for the 2018 Super Bowl, but they’re not sure all the pieces for a deal—potentially on Pan Am Plaza—can be put together before a bid presentation for 32 NFL owners in May.
Woodard sells Canterbury Hotel to Ohio firm
Local businessman Turner Woodard had owned the upscale downtown hotel since 2010. Terms of the deal with Columbus, Ohio-based RockBridge Capital LLC, a hotel investment firm, were not disclosed.
Local enrollment for culinary schools rising
The surprising growth corresponds with the recent expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, and an explosion in the popularity of The Food Network and chef-centric programming. But don’t expect to make a mint.
Demand for hotels, tickets spike as NCAA regional looms
Downtown hoteliers are expecting a sellout this weekend, and ticket brokers are reporting a spike in ticket prices even though Indiana University is playing elsewhere.
Indianapolis loses bid to host 2016 Olympic swim trials in stadium
Indianapolis has been eliminated as a candidate to host the 2016 U.S. Olympic swimming trials at Lucas Oil Stadium. USA Swimming told local leaders that the venue would be “challenging for creating an intimate swimming setting.”
Ticket brokers, city to take lumps as IU sent east
Ticket brokers took a gut punch Sunday when NCAA officials announced that Indiana University would not be playing in the Midwest Regional of the men's basketball tournament. Local tourism officials say the economic impact could drop $1.5 million.
Cops to valets: Park cars, not traffic
Indianapolis police are keeping an eye on downtown valets, whose habit of blocking traffic lanes has prompted complaints. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department issued a stern reminder to all valet operators on Jan. 31, the week after the opening of The Alexander Hotel in CityWay at Delaware and South streets.
State hotels see rise in annual occupancy rate
Indiana’s hotels hosted more visitors last year, according to a survey by Hendersonville-based Smith Travel Research.