With 17 hotels in downtown pipeline, experts doubt they’ll all make it
If all of the plans move forward, downtown would see an unprecedented deluge of new rooms. But developers and lenders are fretting over whether the market can support them.
Tourism & Hospitality
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Indianapolis Zoo gets $4M grant to establish global center for species survival
Plans call for the Global Center for Species Survival to employ a team of nine experts who will be based in Indianapolis and work with more than 9,000 wildlife experts worldwide to save threatened species.
Brown County distillery complex had 267,000 visitors in first year
One of Brown County’s newest tourist draws is also perhaps its most unusual. And it’s an integral part of the fast-growing family of local culinary/adult-beverage brands including Big Woods, Quaff ON and Hard Truth Distillery.
Plans for downtown dual-brand hotel approved by IHPC
A 206-room, dual-branded hotel planned for a downtown parking lot won approval Wednesday night from the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission.
Indianapolis Zoo secures 28 acres of land for expansion
The parcels, which are south of West Washington Street and east of South Harding Street, are expected to be turned into permanent parking lots and additional zoo exhibits in the coming years.
Downtown restaurants too good to miss (and just happen to be located in hotels)
When a flight delay caused a late check in or a business meeting ran overtime, the on-site eatery at your hotel was the meal of last resort—and was nearly always approached with low expectations. That may still be the case in some areas, but it certainly isn’t in downtown Indianapolis.
The next exhibit at the Children’s Museum is always the CEO’s favorite
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis CEO Jeffrey Patchen answers IBJ’s questions about the museum’s growth and what’s ahead.
Convention center planning much-needed Wi-Fi upgrade in 2020
The past-its-prime Wi-Fi system at the Indiana Convention Center could get a big boost in 2020, as its owner looks to make $5.7 million in enhancements to the venue.
Local developer plans to take up Cambria flag with proposed downtown hotel
A 148-room Cambria hotel is planned for South Meridian Street, less than one year after a local developer scrapped plans for a hotel near the same location with the same brand.
Visitors flock to Indiana Dunes, now with national park bona fides
The national park designation has revealed itself in various ways—through an upsurge in logged visits, busier trails and the need to order extra custodial supplies.
Travel plans in chaos, jobs lost as global tour company collapses
About 600,000 people were traveling with the company as of Sunday, though it was unclear how many of them would be left stranded. An estimated 1 million future travelers also found their upcoming holiday bookings canceled.
New 104-room hotel planned for Old Southside neighborhood
A local investment group plans to spend $9 million to $10 million to construct the four-story hotel at 324 Wilkins St. If approved, the development would bring a new, fast-growing midscale hotel brand to Indianapolis.
Hotel chain Marriott banning little shampoo bottles by 2020
The move follows a similar announcement last month by IHG, which owns Holiday Inn, Kimpton and other brands. IHG said it will eliminate about 200 million tiny bottles each year by 2021.
Dora, Shapiro plan 6-story downtown hotel on South Meridian Street
Dora Hospitality Group is teaming with the owner of Shapiro’s Delicatessen to build the hotel at Meridian and Sycamore streets. The project will bring a new IHG hotel brand to Indianapolis.
Hotel planned for King Cole building downtown
Interior demolition appears to have already begun, and several tenants told IBJ that they have either already moved out or have been asked to vacate by the building’s owner.
Las Vegas ready to bid to host numerous big NCAA events
This is the first year that Las Vegas is eligible to bid after the governing body for college sports indefinitely suspended a ban last year that prevented events from being hosted in states that accept wagers on single games.
Indiana State Fair wraps up with slight increase in attendance
Storms and severe weather warnings held back crowds at the Indiana State Fair on closing weekend.
Gen Con draws nearly 70,000 to Indianapolis, event officials say
The event, which has been hosted by the city since 2003, broke its records for exhibitors, total ticketed events, and for sales of four-day and Sunday badges.
National Urban League conference returns to Indianapolis after 25 years
The four-day event will feature numerous Democratic presidential candidates. Conference events will largely cover topics highlighted in the National Urban League’s 2019 State of Black America report, particularly voter discrimination, election interference and the U.S. Census.
Vail Resorts acquiring 17 ski areas, including Paoli Peaks in Indiana
Colorado-based Vail Resorts Inc. plans to take over 17 U.S. ski areas ranging from the Northeast to the Midwest by acquiring Peak Resorts Inc. for $264 million.