INDIANAPOLIS | Cosmopolitan On The Canal | 84' | 6 fl | U/C

[speedblue47]

This is a solid project for Indy, and I thought that creating a real thread for it in Development News might allow more people to consolidate their photos and information on this development in one place. News is slow in Indy right now, so we have to focus on what is actually getting done.

As a side note, I wish each Midwestern city of appropriate size(number of posts a month/ number of active threads) could receive it's own forums.

Thanks for the info or pics that anyone might have!

[CorrND]

Good idea. Here are the renderings:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/cosmo_Feb_08_rendering.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/FinalrearimageforCosmoontheCanal.jpg

Here are the latest construction photos I have on my blog (sorry, they're dated at this point):

http://dig-b.blogspot.com/2008/05/photos-cosmopolitan-update.html

The building at Senate and Michigan is up to about 5 stories at this point. They started pouring concrete at canal-level last week.

[cwilson758]

This is a very solid infill project that will add even more people to the NW quad. I really hope that there are a handful of pubs/restaurants that locate in the retail spaces as dining on the Canal is great. I was at Buggs Temple last weekend and not a seat to be found on the patios. If we could get some outdoor seating adjacent to the water, what a nice atmosphere. A lot of opportunites are being missed down there.

[arenn]

A couple of pics I took on Friday.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/2755333928_2984dcb0bc.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/2755336456_41ca0f01df.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

Good progress already. It'll provide some nice density. What did it replace?

[indyfiend]

Good progress already. It'll provide some nice density. What did it replace?

An empty lot.

With so many low and midrise projects using steel, it's a little shocking when you see all of that wood framing. Gonna be a great structure for the street and the canal.

[ak72]

An empty lot.

With so many low and midrise projects using steel, it's a little shocking when you see all of that wood framing. Gonna be a great structure for the street and the canal.

One empty lot down, pleanty more to go. Hopefully the wood framing will keep costs down and the condos will be more affordable. We need more projects like this on the canal, for a city with no natural views, we need to make the most of what we have, the canal is Indy's most underutilized asset.

[socrates#1fan]

I like this design. It is sleek yet timeless.
I am not sure about the wood though. The wood used today for construction isn't typically the best when it comes to aging. Hopefully they are using good lumber. I'd hate to see the beauty have to be collapsed 50 years from now.

[socrates#1fan]

Good progress already. It'll provide some nice density. What did it replace?

Its not common(if it happens at all anymore.) for new developments to replace anything of any historic value. Just look at a photo of Indianapolis from 1901 and you will know why.
Also this city is overflowing with history buffs.

[IndyYeah]

What do you all seriously think of the wood? I brought it up once that I thought in the 1980's I saw a skyscraper in Kansas City get topped with wood and whatever covering. Maybe that is the norm, not a slam, but is this going to be common with at least the lower rises?

[speedblue47]

The wood is only used for the residential portion of the project. I have been told this is common in low-rise mixed use projects as it allows the developer to keep commercial-grade construction for the retail, and less-expensive construction for the residential. This will allow the pricing structure for each element to be independent of each other. Smart idea, but it does look strange until it is covered with the facade.

Seeing that picture just shows how much that is going to change that corner of Senate. Over at the INDYpendent, I am (still) working on my Senate Ave. project, which has ended up being the most time consuming project I could have imagined. Especially when you are in business for yourself and have clients keeping you up all night. But, back on topic, this is truly the mold from which the rest of this corridor should be cast. There are so many sites here that are way underutilized, and basically ignore their proximity to the canal. Hopefully, some of these landowners and management companies will see fit to call me back some time soon....

[CorrND]

There are so many sites here that are way underutilized, and basically ignore their proximity to the canal.
Completely agree. The whole east side between St. Clair and 10th is begging to engage the canal. One of the warehouses along there has been for sale for probably 3 or 4 years, at least. They must be asking too much. I used to have a link to the real estate listing for it but I can't find it anymore.

I also just posted some new construction photos on my blog:

http://dig-b.blogspot.com/2008/08/photos-cosmopolitan-on-canal.html

Here are a couple extras I didn't use there:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/08-12-08/2008-08CosmoFairbanks011.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/08-12-08/2008-08CosmoFairbanks005.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/08-12-08/2008-08CosmoFairbanks007.jpg

[CorrND]

Looking at the second photo up above, they must have really wanted to make an impression with that corner structure, i.e. get it up really quickly so people can visualize the building. I'm not a carpenter, so maybe I'm talking out of my ass, but what other reason could there be to build five stories tall at the corner without a single piece of lumber on the remainder of the concrete platform?

[OSUBucks#1]

When looking at the wood structure, it makes me think it would be great to have a building of this density include some natural wood cladding as opposed to the brick we see everywhere.

http://www.archidose.org/Blog/HD25a.jpg

[ak72]

Looking at the second photo up above, they must have really wanted to make an impression with that corner structure, i.e. get it up really quickly so people can visualize the building. I'm not a carpenter, so maybe I'm talking out of my ass, but what other reason could there be to build five stories tall at the corner without a single piece of lumber on the remainder of the concrete platform?

I think they just wanted to make an impression as the building will cover the whole platform.

[CorrND]

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/Siteplan.jpg

Other schematics and elevations are available at this old blog post:

http://dig-b.blogspot.com/2007/12/development-cosmopolitan-on-canal.html

[indyfiend]

Please pardon my gushing, but I think I have a little bit of a crush on this project. The more I see of it, the better it gets. Such a smart and attractive design. It engages both streets and the canal while allowing for a plaza like feel on the canal side. And someone from the Merrill Tower project needs to take some notes on how to integrate and hide a parking structure. This project should be the bar for infill in Indy.

Me---->:lovethem:<----The Cosmo

[cwilson758]

FYI, these are not condos, rather apartments. I see many more apartment projects poping up around the canal to accomodate the huge influx of students to IUPUI / Medical Scool / Law School

[speedblue47]

I agree cory. IUPUI has stated that they are looking to transition to a more traditional university, with students who live on or near campus. I think this is the best possible news for downtown, for it will allow many dense infill projects to go up on the underdeveloped west side and will create a new vibrancy to the street life that should lead to increased retail choice. I always hoped a private university would move downtown to do the same thing, but it looks like the way IUPUI is doing it might work out better for the city. The seem to be soliciting private developers to build and operate the dorms and having the students pay from their own pocket(or student loans). This not only has the above benefits, but allows the city to see increased tax rolls for Central Township. Hopefully that can help towards solving other issues with the city core.

[IndyYeah]

Please pardon my gushing, but I think I have a little bit of a crush on this project. The more I see of it, the better it gets. Such a smart and attractive design. It engages both streets and the canal while allowing for a plaza like feel on the canal side. And someone from the Merrill Tower project needs to take some notes on how to integrate and hide a parking structure. This project should be the bar for infill in Indy.

Me---->:lovethem:<----The Cosmo

I know what you are talking about with that garage. And the Merrill Tower will be a highrise, and appearing to take up some land. What I am getting at, is use common sense in hiding the garage, and I wish that the approval process would take it into heavy thought. Even if the land is very much of a limited nature, the plan of concealing a parking garage has been done well on many a project.

[speedblue47]

There are buildings in Dallas and Fort Worth where they use the building's facade over the garage. Not sure how they get by with that considering the issue of the emissions build-up. I would hope that there becomes an understanding that parking needs to go under a building or on the street.

I solemnly swear, when my development business gets off the ground(and I'm serious), I will not build a surface lot or have the building parking show on the street face. I have some ideas for how to make sure this is never needed. Now if only this land in El Paso would sell faster...

[cwilson758]

I am confident in the City's Planners and am pretty positive that the garage has been thoroughly discussed.

I have mentioned this before, but the Clarian Lab north of the Canal that has the ground level parking was such an issue for me when I was still on staff. It is a very poor design, especially for such a heavy pedestrian area, doe snot engage the street and is ugly. Lilly has some of the best examples of good parking design in the City.

[speedblue47]

You know Cory, I poured the concrete for the Bugg's Temple project(the new ramps and wrap around), and I can say that I think I saw a pedestrian maybe three times that wasn't me the whole time. I think that is sad, but most people usually just use the street-side parking to visit any place they want, especially in the Stutz Center.

[GarfieldPark]

I was talking to someone in the planning offices at the city - and was told that this project - with its wood and cement mix of construction - is a special project that required a variance to allow this type of construction. This style is referred to as "5 over 1". It allows five floors of wooden construction over a first floor and foundation made of cement. (I guess normally, anything taller than three (or 4?) stories must be made using concrete construction for the building's basic skeleton.)

Its a big deal - because it allows the cost to be less. Hopefully this same style could be used in many other places to build more affordable - (yet good looking? hopefully) projects - thus allowing lower rental or purchase costs for the units. (And more people able to afford to live in them.) I think a bunch of six story buildings on the many surface parking lots would be exactly what is needed. This "5 over 1" construction style has been used quite a bit in Seattle, I was told.

[cwilson758]

You know Cory, I poured the concrete for the Bugg's Temple project(the new ramps and wrap around), and I can say that I think I saw a pedestrian maybe three times that wasn't me the whole time. I think that is sad, but most people usually just use the street-side parking to visit any place they want, especially in the Stutz Center.

Now that Buggs is completed as well as Fairbanks Hall and the other new structure, the foot traffic in the area has increased dramatically. Certainly, when the lab was U/C and Buggs was not even started, I agree that the traffic was light, however, since it is a different story and everytime I walk by, I lower my head in shame. If Clarian had any planning foresight, they could have used the groud-floor space as retail/restaurant space that would have linked with the Canal!

[speedblue47]

Believe me, I would have loved that. I never even wanted to walk the canal at lunch because the only people I would ever see was the occasional jogger with their dog. And I was a "scary" looking construction guy at the time, so I would get the stare down the whole time. I just think I got spoiled by my time on the River Walk when I was stationed at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. That is truly an incredible project down there, and that is mainly because the parallel streets are so close to the River that the building are forced to be right ON the river. But from what I understood it took some years and a few bright individuals before they converted their lower levels for retail. If West/MLK and Senate were tighter to the Canal, maybe the same thing would have happened.

Oh, and I'm glad to hear that that 11th St. node is seeing more foot traffic. There were some quirky places to grab a drink there that looked like they could use some more business.

[CorrND]

(Repeated from the main Dev thread. Should have been posted here instead.)

I put some new pictures of the Cosmo on my blog, mostly from the canal side.

http://dig-b.blogspot.com/2008/08/photos-cosmopolitan-update-from-canal.html

Here are a couple extras.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/08-27-08/2008-08ZingCosmo005.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/08-27-08/2008-08ZingCosmo015.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/08-27-08/2008-08ZingCosmo022.jpg

[hoosier]

Thanks for the pictures. It is nice to see this project under construction.

[GarfieldPark]

Yea, the downtown apartment projects are going pretty strong right now. The Waverly with about 180 units just opened, the cosmopolitan is under construction with about 218units planned and the Paramount looks to be moving along as another strong apartment project with "518 beds" (I'm not sure how many apartment units that represents - but maybe between 250 and 300 in a newly designed 6 or 7 story building along Capitol Avenue.

[indyfiend]

Saw today they were putting the windows in, can't wait to see the brick work going up.

[quigley]

http://www.theqstyle.com/net_img/img10.jpg

http://www.theqstyle.com/net_img/img11.jpg

http://www.theqstyle.com/net_img/img12.jpg

http://www.theqstyle.com/net_img/img13.jpg

http://www.theqstyle.com/net_img/img14.jpg

http://www.theqstyle.com/net_img/img16.jpg

[cwilson758]

The canal side is seeing work too. They have erected (uhh, huh huh, I said "erect") walls on the canal side. This prject is going to fit-in nicely

[indyfiend]

The canal side is seeing work too. They have erected (uhh, huh huh, I said "erect") walls on the canal side. This prject is going to fit-in nicely

Uhh, huh huh, you said cANAL, uhh, huh huh

[unvrsty07]

Is the brick facade starting to take shape?

[CorrND]

Is the brick facade starting to take shape?
No brick work yet. It looks pretty odd right now, actually. The upper floors appear to be largely finished while the ground floor, retail sections don't even have walls up yet, let alone the brick exterior.

[IndyYeah]

No brick work yet. It looks pretty odd right now, actually. The upper floors appear to be largely finished while the ground floor, retail sections don't even have walls up yet, let alone the brick exterior.

The upper floors must be "more important" to get done and correctly possibly because the weather and climate conditions. Cold and going to get colder outside.

[quigley]

I'll make sure to get some pics taken possibly next weekend but it looks like they are starting to lay the brick.

I'm always surprised at how massive this project is, especially when coming from Michigan St.

[GarfieldPark]

Yes, its looking real good now. Make sure to take some pictures from the canal side if you get a chance. Its amazing how the canal-side view has changed - from an open two or three acres of vacant land to a fantastic urban, waterfront corridor. I like the look of the balconies also. I'd love to see the continuation of these five - six story buildings - filling up the surface parking lots in the NE quadrant. Hopefully the Paramount will get started soon - another six story residential project just a block and a half east of the Cosmopolitan.

[ablerock]

I'd love to see the continuation of these five - six story buildings - filling up the surface parking lots in the NE quadrant.

Agreed.

[socrates#1fan]

[I](http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/08-27-08/2008-08ZingCosmo022.jpg



Holy crap, a little ways to the right of the concrete wall is a skull! :o

[indyfiend]

^^Great! The Cosmo is being built on an ancient Indian burial ground.

They're heeeeeerreeeeee :skull::)

[IndyYeah]

^^Great! The Cosmo is being built on an ancient Indian burial ground.

They're heeeeeerreeeeee :skull::)

Knowing my luck, I will find a little Tiki while walking around like Bobby Brady did in Hawaii.:banana:

[cwilson758]

^^Great! The Cosmo is being built on an ancient Indian burial ground.

They're heeeeeerreeeeee :skull::)

You beat me to it.....

[pig]

http://www.filehurricane.com/photos/1272009121657AM_IMG_1312.jpg

[indyfiend]

http://www.filehurricane.com/photos/1272009121657AM_IMG_1312.jpg

Wow! Awesome pic! Really shows the impact it has on 3 fronts!

[ak72]

Great piic!

Anyone have recent pictures from the canal side?

[cwilson758]

Oh wow, thanks for that!

A nice mass of residential has developed over there. It would be nice to see a grocer go in that retail space just recently completed in that rehabed structure.

[socrates#1fan]

Oh wow, thanks for that!

A nice mass of residential has developed over there. It would be nice to see a grocer go in that retail space just recently completed in that rehabed structure.

Good luck. Grocers scare downtown residents for some reason.

[socrates#1fan]

What's the story with the brick building on the corner north of the cosmo? Is it being redone or something?
That lot between the old house and Cosmo needs to be filled.
Dense, very dense. Me likey.

[CorrND]

What's the story with the brick building on the corner north of the cosmo? Is it being redone or something?
People live there. It's not being redone as far as I know.

That lot between the old house and Cosmo needs to be filled. Dense, very dense. Me likey.
Yeah, that's a small problem I have with this project. Given the relatively large parking garage at the center of the Cosmo and the fact that some of it is even for public use, it always seemed to me that F&C should have been able to negotiate parking spaces for the Indiana History Center as part of a purchase of their lot. Oh well.

My goal is to try to get out and take some pictures this weekend. I live across the canal from this project -- I've been seriously slacking!

[socrates#1fan]

^^ Can you take a photo of that brick structure? I'm curious of it's potential.

[GarfieldPark]

Its a nice old apartment building that has been there for decades. Through good times, not so good times, bad times, improving times, and now much better times - in terms of the condition of the surrounding neighborhood. The rent probably isn't too high -- so its nice for the people that live there that they can continue living there on fixed incomes. Its "potential" is fine just the way it is. I definitely think it would be rotten for someone to try to move the people out -"fix it up" to its "potential" and then double the rent so some yuppies can move in. Its mostly middle aged and elderly black people that live there. It used to be in the heart of the city's black community - just off Indiana Avenue. The residents have been there for a long time - through good and bad. It would be terrible if gentrification would be the thing that finally forced them out of their neighborhood. Sorry if I went a little over board in response to your comment - but it just aggravates me when people think every older building is no good unless its "fixed up". There are plenty of parking lots in this neighborhood where new residential units could be put in. Developers should fill those up with new housing before contemplating taking over a perfectly good, existing building full of people.

[socrates#1fan]

^^ I'm all for keeping the original residence(unless it is like a bunch of druggies or something).
Don't worry, I was thinking more of facade work. ;)

[ablerock]

^^ I'm all for keeping the original residence(unless it is like a bunch of druggies or something).
Don't worry, I was thinking more of facade work. ;)

The other small brick building across the street from it has some potential first floor retail space. I think they're all painted up right now, but I'm pretty sure it has some large glass bay windows and street entrances.

[CorrND]

The other small brick building across the street from it has some potential first floor retail space. I think they're all painted up right now, but I'm pretty sure it has some large glass bay windows and street entrances.
If we're thinking of the same place, AJ's Lounge and the leasing office for those apartments are already in the first floor spaces.

[ablerock]

If we're thinking of the same place, AJ's Lounge and the leasing office for those apartments are already in the first floor spaces.

I figured there was some sort of business there already. I guess I should've said that I'm hoping the redevelopment of the area will put a little incentive in the landlords laps to spruce up those particular buildings.

[socrates#1fan]

The other small brick building across the street from it has some potential first floor retail space. I think they're all painted up right now, but I'm pretty sure it has some large glass bay windows and street entrances.

The 1-story building on the corner? Yeah, but I'd mark it more as a 'tear down' and build a denser structure.

[ablerock]

The 1-story building on the corner? Yeah, but I'd mark it more as a 'tear down' and build a denser structure.

No, that's where Mo-Jo's is. I'm talking about the 3-story building north of that. :)

[CorrND]

New construction update up on my blog:

http://dig-b.blogspot.com/2009/02/photos-cosmopolitan-on-canal.html

Some extras that didn't make the cut:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo005.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo022.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo026.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo042.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo037.jpg

[cwilson758]

This is turning out pretty good. I really hope the apartment building progresses to full boom. Maybe with the just announced Buckingham project, Library Square....

[socrates#1fan]

Very attractive.
I like the mixture of older styles with newer styles.
To some level, it looks like a cake. ;)

[GarfieldPark]

I was poking around the building this past weekend and discovered that there will be a swimming pool on the second level in the setback area along the canal. That should be pretty nice come summer time to be able to hang out by the pool while overlooking the folks on the plaza and canal below. I don't have a camera - so can't show pictures. It would be nice if someone would take some photos of how this looks from the canal. Obviously completely different. Three months ago there was an open hill and large space between the Ind. Historic Preservation Center and the southernmost residences in the WaterMark Townhomes. Now there is a four story wall of residences in that space. Makes for a great, urban pedestrian corridor by the water. Wonder what types of restaurants will go into the canal side spaces?

[CorrND]

Do you mean this part, GarfieldPark?

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo011.jpg

From where I was, I couldn't see what was going on up the second level of the courtyard, but that would be interesting if they're putting a swimming pool there.

Here's a shot of the wall effect you mentioned:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo016.jpg

Unfortunately, only the southern segment will have a retail space. The northern segment will have a couple of individual steps up to some two-floor residences. An unfortunate decision -- I'm guessing they did that as a concession to the Watermark residences right there.

By the way, I took almost 60 shots of the cosmo this weekend. I didn't want to overwhelm the board with a ton of them, but I can post more if people want to see more.

[IndyYeah]

I don't know why I kept thinking that the Cosmo was not going to be part of the canal area. At least some retail will be offered. You know, that whole canal area is filling in more-they really need some retail, places to sit, relax, buy pop, read the paper etc.. What is the retail like now, anything there? I have not been in this area or by the houses-condos.

[GarfieldPark]

CorrND: Yes - your first picture above shows the place where the pool will be. It will be on that upper level of that cemented area set back a little from the canal, above the plaza. Right behind where that temporary wooden 2x4 fence is sitting. Thanks for the pictures. Yes - that shows the nice urban wall of residential all along there. The view from the north - looking southeast, from the other side of the canal - across from the Cosmopolitan would show a nice view also -- possibly with the skyline behind it. I'd love to see a few more of your pictures. Probably not all 60 -- but I wouldn't mind another 10 or so of the best shots! Thanks again.

[ablerock]

I didn't want to overwhelm the board with a ton of them, but I can post more if people want to see more.

You know we always want to see more!

[CorrND]

Ok, you asked for it! Apologies, the quality sucks on a couple of these photos but I still think they show interesting things.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo057.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo007.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo010.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo012.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo013.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo017.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo018.jpg
Note how the setbacks of the Historical Landmarks Foundation (brick foreground), Cosmo (bare wood) and Watermark Townhomes (white, in the distance) don't line up.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo019.jpg
This is a bit of an optical illusion, but the balconies for some apartments will be fairly close to the HLF.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo027.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo031.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo034.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo047.jpg
Existing Senate retail: AJs Lounge at the SE corner of Senate and North.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo048.jpg
The backside of the northern canal-front segment, with the lovely Watermark Townhome barrier in the foreground.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo052.jpg
The backside of the apartment building at the SW corner of Senate and North, with the Cosmo parking garage.

[CorrND]

And here's some info for the canal-front sections. You can see in the rendering that the northern/left segment has steps up to private residences. There are four canal-front, two story residences and then four more standard flats above that (two per floor).

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/FinalrearimageforCosmoontheCanal-2.jpg

The southern segment will contain the retail space. As far as the designs I've seen, it can be one large space or can be subdivided into two spaces. I've labeled my picture from the previous post with the uses that should be in each area:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/02-08-09/640px/2009-02Cosmo012labeled.jpg

[IndyYeah]

Are those buildings still supposed to be in line, like houses in many areas? Was not sure in an urban core if they have to be on a line? The Cosmo looks really nice, even the angled tower element. The place does not look cheap like I was thinking it may. Nice so far.

[GarfieldPark]

http://dig-b.blogspot.com/2007/12/de...-on-canal.html

This link to CorrND's "Dig-B blog site shows some site plans for the project - including one with the swimming pool - in about the seventh site plan diagram down, entitled Courtyard Siteplan. The pool is the rectangle right in the middle. Looks like there is some type of apt. renter's rec room / lounge just to the east of the pool. Very nice.

[GarfieldPark]

I'm not sure why, but the link above didn't seem to be connected up right when I tried it. If you go back to page 1 of this thread - there is a post from CorrND that mentions additional site plan drawings on his blog site. When I linked to that -- I found the additional site plans. Thanks for the many pictures CorrND!

[Wu-Gambino]

Yeah, this is coming along quite nicely. I hope other projects can look to this for a good example of what good infill looks like.

[IndyYeah]

Indy is getting some things right. Now bring on a Flatiron!

[SwimINindy]

Pretty Legit Infill ! If only the canal were lined with Projects like this .

[cwilson758]

I wish we could wave a wand and have our Canal be like the SA RiverWalk.

[unvrsty07]

Noticed yesterday that the brick on the south side of the building is being installed, and it looks very attractive!

[GarfieldPark]

I think Indy's canal is pretty good the way it is -- and it continues to improve. It is slowly but surely becoming more mixed. I think there were good things about the large amount of residential that got built in the early years of the canal. With the Cosmopolitan, there are now over 1200 units of residential with well over 2000 new residents living on the canal (plus two hotels). Those people helped strengthen the retail / restaurant scene in other areas of downtown. I think the canal area is getting better. Its great to see the other improvements and planned improvements in the area as well. Along with the Cosmopolitan, the Bugg's Temple stuff, medical research offices at the canal's north end, the plans for Paramount, planned commercial development in the NW part of the IUPUI campus, and a few more restaurants along Indiana Avenue -- are all making this area better and better. I like the way the improvements are happening not only on the canal but in the neighboring areas. That is one thing that I have found when visiting San Antonio: there is plenty going on along the Riverwalk - but often the areas at street level nearby are pretty dead. Hopefully the steady growth and mix of uses along the canal will help make the entire NW quad of Indy grow. I do wonder what is going to happen along that two block stretch on the east side of the canal between St. Clair Street and the IU bio-tech incubator building. It is one of the few, large developable areas left. A good mixed use building would be good there. Some first floor canal side retail / restaurants, maybe a north building near the incubator with more tech / research space while a southern building wing would have a few floors of residential above the commercial. Another five or six story building filling that area would be good.

[GarfieldPark]

Yes the new brick work looks very good. No more blue and tan "birthday cake" look anymore.

[cwilson758]

It's just so "office park" and not as urban as I would like in terms of retail and mixed use. I do agree that the amount of eisdential along the canal is great and should make any location of retail less risky.

[GarfieldPark]

Yea, I remember back in the early days when they were just starting to lower the canal (early 80's) there were still some of the original (early 1900's) brick industrial, warehouse type buildings along the canal. There was one in particular - on the east side of the canal - either between Ohio and New York or between New York and Vermont -- that was a classic five story brick warehouse building. It would have been great to have seen it turned into loft apartments or condos (with first floor bars and restaurants). Unfortunately it got torn down. A few more of those old brick buildings would have given more of a feel of the old history of the place -- the old canal days and early industrial history of Indianapolis.

That is all pretty much gone when you go to the canal now. About the only remnant of those early days is the brick building by the NCAA headquarters at the last west-bound turn in the canal - before it runs to the river. (This lack of old brick buildings is probably part of the general issue that you were thinking about Cory in saying how parts of the canal area now look like an office park.) Keeping more of the old would have helped give it a more urban and historic feel - but then again - I don't know if it would have been possible to get the wide walkways in and lower the canal if we had tried to keep the old brick buildings sitting where they were. Anyway -- on a related note -- I do like the new brick they are putting up on the Cosmopolitan - and it does seem to be a good brick color that seems to fit the color of some of those old brick industrial warehouse buildings that were built throughout downtown Indy in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

[CorrND]

I think Indy's canal is pretty good the way it is -- and it continues to improve. It is slowly but surely becoming more mixed. I think there were good things about the large amount of residential that got built in the early years of the canal. With the Cosmopolitan, there are now over 1200 units of residential with well over 2000 new residents living on the canal (plus two hotels). Those people helped strengthen the retail / restaurant scene in other areas of downtown. I think the canal area is getting better. Its great to see the other improvements and planned improvements in the area as well. Along with the Cosmopolitan, the Bugg's Temple stuff, medical research offices at the canal's north end, the plans for Paramount, planned commercial development in the NW part of the IUPUI campus, and a few more restaurants along Indiana Avenue -- are all making this area better and better. I like the way the improvements are happening not only on the canal but in the neighboring areas. That is one thing that I have found when visiting San Antonio: there is plenty going on along the Riverwalk - but often the areas at street level nearby are pretty dead. Hopefully the steady growth and mix of uses along the canal will help make the entire NW quad of Indy grow. I do wonder what is going to happen along that two block stretch on the east side of the canal between St. Clair Street and the IU bio-tech incubator building. It is one of the few, large developable areas left. A good mixed use building would be good there. Some first floor canal side retail / restaurants, maybe a north building near the incubator with more tech / research space while a southern building wing would have a few floors of residential above the commercial. Another five or six story building filling that area would be good.
I've been wondering that as well. One of the warehouses fronting the canal (east side, immediately south of 9th) has been for sale for years. The asking price must be prohibitively high, because that seems like a prime location to me.

I mentioned this on my blog at one point and you touched on it as well: I hope for a thriving street-level around the canal. And I hope for that BEFORE a big push to bring more retail and restaurants to the canal. Otherwise you’re depending too heavily on the canal itself to be the drawing point for the businesses and the canal is simply not a place where people want to go very much during the winter. Businesses will always have a hard time making it through the winter because of that fact. If you create a whole neighborhood around the canal – I’m looking at you, Senate – I think you’ll be much more likely to be able to sustain canal businesses through the winter.

[IndyYeah]

I've been wondering that as well. One of the warehouses fronting the canal (east side, immediately south of 9th) has been for sale for years. The asking price must be prohibitively high, because that seems like a prime location to me.

I mentioned this on my blog at one point and you touched on it as well: I hope for a thriving street-level around the canal. And I hope for that BEFORE a big push to bring more retail and restaurants to the canal. Otherwise you’re depending too heavily on the canal itself to be the drawing point for the businesses and the canal is simply not a place where people want to go very much during the winter. Businesses will always have a hard time making it through the winter because of that fact. If you create a whole neighborhood around the canal – I’m looking at you, Senate – I think you’ll be much more likely to be able to sustain canal businesses through the winter.

Indy as well as alot of cities in the rust belt need more things to do for the winter. Even the bigger cities fault on this topic.

[pig]

I've been wondering that as well. One of the warehouses fronting the canal (east side, immediately south of 9th) has been for sale for years. The asking price must be prohibitively high, because that seems like a prime location to me.

I mentioned this on my blog at one point and you touched on it as well: I hope for a thriving street-level around the canal. And I hope for that BEFORE a big push to bring more retail and restaurants to the canal. Otherwise you’re depending too heavily on the canal itself to be the drawing point for the businesses and the canal is simply not a place where people want to go very much during the winter. Businesses will always have a hard time making it through the winter because of that fact. If you create a whole neighborhood around the canal – I’m looking at you, Senate – I think you’ll be much more likely to be able to sustain canal businesses through the winter.

Ohhh look at the serifs! What is this print? :okay:

[CorrND]

The Cosmo is on fire.

The canal side is almost completely gone. There's still a fire raging at the center of the complex but it looks like the Senate side is still standing.

[cwilson758]

just got on line to post the same.........OMG. Total devestation. I hope they rebuild and I hope that local developers start backing off of all this wood construction.

[CorrND]

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/03-12-09/640px/2009-03CosmoBurning002.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/03-12-09/640px/2009-03CosmoBurning012.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/Cosmo%20Canal/03-12-09/640px/2009-03CosmoBurning015.jpg

More photos on my blog.

http://dig-b.blogspot.com/2009/03/photos-cosmo-burning.html

[SpiderMonkey]

According to the IndyStar, F&C claims they are going to rebuild as soon as possible as it is their "signature property". Read more here http://www.indystar.com/article/20090312/NEWS/90312002

[socrates#1fan]

For the love of god, they better not use wood! :bleep:

[hoosier]

Jesus Christ- what a total mess!!:ohno:

Let's rebuild quickly. I am sure the insurance will cover the damages.

[_ttam_]

For the love of god, they better not use wood! :bleep:

I read that the buildings sprinkler system was not yet commissioned. If this had happened a few weeks from now, the story might have been different.

[IndyYeah]

The wood issue was brought up last year. I was not keen on it, but I understand"Cost" has something to do with these types of building practices. Maybe in the future materials should seriously be considered for many reasons. "Cost" savings for materials may not be a great way to build.

[araman0]

Some work like the foundation work should be salvagable, so a rebuild could happen rather quickly.

[quigley]

Today they have cranes taking out the debris. Lets hope the rebuild can begin immediately after the site is cleared.

[hoosier]

Some work like the foundation work should be salvagable, so a rebuild could happen rather quickly.

True, foundation work is the most time consuming part of a construction project.

[IndyYeah]

I don't feel it will happen immediately, or quickly. Too many issues with a building that was not complete. Maybe I am wrong, but insurance, and contractors and investigating, and other issues involving this project. Seems like an expensive,fairly large building, and I just don't see it all happening quickly.

[Indywatch]

^^ You are probably correct. I'm guessing it will be at least a year before they start rebuilding, and another year and a half to complete. Look how long it took and is taking to redo the Regions Tower. Insurance claims move SLOW.

[IndyYeah]

Bad enough building is not happening enough all around, and I don't see money just going out in a hurry over a fire destructed building. Insurance companies and money it seems to me,work differently these days.

[araman0]

I don't feel it will happen immediately, or quickly. Too many issues with a building that was not complete. Maybe I am wrong, but insurance, and contractors and investigating, and other issues involving this project. Seems like an expensive,fairly large building, and I just don't see it all happening quickly.

Assuming there was no foul play involved by the builder, I suspect it will take a couple months for construction to "resume".

[SkywlkrSnd]

IndyStar (http://www.indystar.com/article/20090317/NEWS02/90317066) says it was arson.
FC says they hope to rebuild in 6 months to a year.

[CorrND]

That article says they're going to save the facade! That's great.

I wonder what this means for the retail spaces. They were untouched by flame and are made of concrete, so the water shouldn't have done much. Maybe they could be opened sooner than the rest of the rebuild? As a nearby resident, that's the piece of this project I really care about most anyway.

[SkywlkrSnd]

That is good news about the facade. I somehow missed that paragraph when I was reading it.

[cwilson758]

WHOA!! I was totally surprised that this was arson....let's look at a lst of who recently got canned....

[quigley]

Construction since the fire begun a few weeks ago. They have been moving fast with repairs along senate street. It looks like most of the building facing Michigan and Senate was saved.

I'm excited about this one. Hopefully this time we will have better luck.

[CorrND]

Construction since the fire begun a few weeks ago. They have been moving fast with repairs along senate street. It looks like most of the building facing Michigan and Senate was saved.

I'm excited about this one. Hopefully this time we will have better luck.
Yeah, I just noticed that today as well. The top floor repair along Senate is moving fast. They've also resurfaced the parking garage exterior in some way, so that's apparently been saved.

[ak72]

Looks like that kills any conspiracy.

[CorrND]

The web of tubing and equipment for drying out the main building is gone.

This is purely a guess, but given all the work that's been going on at the main building and almost nothing on the rest of the site, I think they're working to get that building finished and opened first. Then they'll work on rebuilding the rest of the project.

[Indy Rock]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090510/LOCAL18/905100351&s=TimeStampDescending&page=2#pluckcomments

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=10341896&nav=menu188_2_3

[Indy Rock]

Any new reconstruction being done on this? -crosses fingers-

[CorrND]

In terms of visible external work, it's been pretty quiet there for a while. Nothing rebuilt on the canal and nothing next to the Historic Landmarks Foundation parking lot. I imagine they're working on refitting all the internal stuff that was damaged by the fire and water in the building they saved.

I get the impression that F&C has pumped their own money into the cleanup and current rehab work. They might be waiting on insurance money before they proceed with rebuilding the other sections.

[CorrND]

The sidewalks are in on the Michigan/Senate corner. The Senate sidewalk is much less deep than the Michigan sidewalk and features nose-in angled parking. The Michigan sidewalk has several built-in squares with grates for trees near the curb.

[cailes]

I stopped by here last night on my way home from class at IUPUI. I drive by it on the way in everyday (yes I drive since I live up north)

I didnt realize until looking at the camera this morning, that I had autofocus turned off. So if some of the pictures look soft, that is why. But I was able to grab a couple that show off how things are looking there.

The one thing that struck me was that I ran into 2 police officers watching the grounds. I guess they dont want to see anything happening around there huh? I wasnt hassled as I wasnt causing a nuisance, but I sure was getting eyed. LOL

the other thing I saw was that they have started rehab on the building across Senate from the cosmo on whatever that cross street is. There is a big sign up on the side that says "upscale renovation underway"

Alright, enough talk. Onto the photos.

http://hustonstreetracing.com/cosmo/cosmo1.jpg

http://hustonstreetracing.com/cosmo/cosmo2.jpg

http://hustonstreetracing.com/cosmo/cosmo3.jpg

http://hustonstreetracing.com/cosmo/cosmo4.jpg

http://hustonstreetracing.com/cosmo/cosmo5.jpg

[CorrND]

I stopped by here last night on my way home from class at IUPUI. I drive by it on the way in everyday (yes I drive since I live up north)

I didnt realize until looking at the camera this morning, that I had autofocus turned off. So if some of the pictures look soft, that is why. But I was able to grab a couple that show off how things are looking there.

The one thing that struck me was that I ran into 2 police officers watching the grounds. I guess they dont want to see anything happening around there huh? I wasnt hassled as I wasnt causing a nuisance, but I sure was getting eyed. LOL

the other thing I saw was that they have started rehab on the building across Senate from the cosmo on whatever that cross street is. There is a big sign up on the side that says "upscale renovation underway"

Alright, enough talk. Onto the photos.
That "upscale renovation" sign you saw was probably for this:

http://www.ibj.com/apartments-near-downtown-canal-slated-for-rehab/PARAMS/article/7086

Thanks for the pics.

[EddieB317]

Nice photos! Thanks for the update... sky looks super ominous...

[cailes]

It was overcast and drizzling a little. I was using a slow shutter to capture it. The light reflects easy on the clouds when you are in the city

[EddieB317]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj-QdGDvUI/AAAAAAAADtI/hscjqWG2tto/s640/photo.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj-QqrTXqI/AAAAAAAADtU/TAnKGe5Fh7E/s640/photo%204.jpg

Unfinished North Side and alley in between Cosmopolitan and building due north.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj_GaS7XAI/AAAAAAAADtk/MJEDX7VoGKY/s512/photo.jpg http://lh3.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj_GczN_NI/AAAAAAAADto/pYA4mGwGY8E/s512/photo%202.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj_GkhgSGI/AAAAAAAADts/pqFJLCmLAHo/s640/photo%203.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj_RaHdp2I/AAAAAAAADuE/gYiy6hI7o0M/s640/photo%203.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj_RQIGxhI/AAAAAAAADuA/yLHR1-KKt_o/s512/photo%202.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj_RZCUGTI/AAAAAAAADuM/mO97whvXtIc/s640/photo%205.jpg

South side from Historic Landmarks Foundation parking lot
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj_h6JDqlI/AAAAAAAADug/wGAXljINatY/s512/photo%204.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj_h2hkzgI/AAAAAAAADuk/G-9PmcNFryQ/s640/photo%205.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj_uCoRpLI/AAAAAAAADuw/uf9-11VbcFo/s640/photo%202.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj_uXoFiYI/AAAAAAAADu0/8EFeOPodVlI/s640/photo%203.jpg

Looking South East from Indiana and Michigan
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj_uO7VnLI/AAAAAAAADus/T-Uw07yUv8k/s640/photo.jpg

[cwilson758]

I really hope they get a pub/coffee shop/restaurant along the Canal at this location

[CorrND]

Curb-side trees are in on the Senate side. Interestingly, they also put in some large patches of grass. Seems like a strange choice, but I suppose it will help with some rain run off.

This stretch of Senate from Michigan to Walnut is being nicely transformed right now:

The curbs, parking spaces, streetlights, and trees are in by the Cosmo.
The Senate Manor refurb is in full swing, with an exterior paint job, window replacements and some landscape work.
The Cultural Trail Senate/Walnut intersection is being redone with curb bumps so that people only have to cross the two travel lanes on Senate.

It may not sound like much, but this area "feels" much different than it did even a month or so ago. I've got a set of photos of the Cultural Trail in this area that I should be able to get up sometime this week, but maybe I should also do a photo spread of these two blocks.

[EddieB317]

I was out for a run near the Cosmopolitan and I noticed this sign in front of the parking lot just south of Cosmopolitan... I dont know how long it has been there, but it's interesting. I think its probably just testing the water and doesn't mean much but at least someone is thinking about it!

Anyone have any thoughts or info?

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Sv3zIkKsX_I/AAAAAAAAD6E/qn4P9MPdmYM/s640/photo.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Sv3zIr6wOGI/AAAAAAAAD6I/b8gbsZoGSCA/s640/photo%202.jpg

[EddieB317]

Now that I look at the picture a little closer... the phone number might be the same as the decal on the window of the Cosmopolitan retail. It might just have been for the Cosmopolitan even though it is across the street.

[quigley]

If not, wow that would be amazing. Those parking lots kill me. :bash:

[CorrND]

Almost 100% that's advertising for the Cosmo. That's a OneAmerica parking lot -- it would quite a silent coup if Flaherty & Collins had purchased it without anybody having heard a thing!

That said, this is definitely the first lot that OneAmerica needs to look at unloading. It's not even proximate to their building, it's relatively small (around 158 spaces according to my finger count), and it's a prime location for development.

[AmericanDirt]

That triangular lot has been in and out of development limbo for years. Way back in the early 1990s it hosted a proposal for the Disciples of Christ Headquarters, who owned the parcel at the time. D of C decided not to build anew and ended up locating on Washington Street (as we can often see by their chalice logo). Having seen their renderings for this parcel, it is probably best in hindsight that they didn't develop--the result would have been even more suburban looking than Anthem Headquarters. With greater attentiveness to urban design considerations in this day and age (hopefully), the final result for this property will be a lot higher quality.