INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana Convention Center Expansion: Phase IV | U/C

[ablerock]

Beginning in 2009, the Indiana Convention Center will undergo an expansion that will grow the convention center from 403,000 to 745,000 square feet of exhibit space, including 179,000 square feet in the new Lucas Oil Stadium.

The expansion is scheduled to be completed Fall 2010.

The expansion will raise Indianapolis from 33rd to 16th (some sources cite 32nd and 17th) place among America’s major convention cities in meeting space available – and second only to Atlanta among its customary 13 peer cities.

The Indiana Convention Center expansion will sit on the RCA Dome footprint. The RCA Dome closed in April 2008 and has been demolished.

Ratio Architects is the lead firm for the project, assisted by BSA LifeStructures, Blackburn Architects, and Domain Architects. All four are headquartered in Indianapolis.

Monthly construction updates in Microsoft Word format can be found here (http://www.in.gov/iscba/2358.htm).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3404834370_2b7db5971e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3404834422_99ac99a3e4_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/3404023429_1c7d0094fd_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3540/3404834080_6d8f6ae495_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3404023037_0798281095_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3404834252_791a8efced_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3404023207_a82d8dd9bc_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3404023099_1a1de256b0_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3404023153_f1ffa1f9d3_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3404023247_c45c9ea3e3_o.gif

[GarfieldPark]

Excellent! Thanks Ablerock for starting this! Its a huge project. I believe the expenditure for the Convention Center portion of the Lucas Oil Stadium / Conv. Center Project is about $250 - $275 million. With the L.O.S. at about $650 million, it was a little over $900 million for the combined project. (And with the connection to the Marriott projects immediately NW of the Convention Center -- its about $1.4 billion worth of connected work in that SW corner of downtown!!

[ablerock]

Excellent! Thanks Ablerock for starting this! Its a huge project. I believe the expenditure for the Convention Center portion of the Lucas Oil Stadium / Conv. Center Project is about $250 - $275 million. With the L.O.S. at about $650 million, it was a little over $900 million for the combined project. (And with the connection to the Marriott projects immediately NW of the Convention Center -- its about $1.4 billion worth of connected work in that SW corner of downtown!!

Wow. Thanks for the financial perspective!

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail extension will also add another 5 million or so. It's a drop in the bucket, comparatively speaking, but still worth adding.

From in.gov (http://www.in.gov/iscba/2359.htm):

Combined with Lucas Oil Stadium, the [Convention Center Expansion is] expected to generate $2.25 billion in economic benefits over 10 years and create about 4,200 new permanent jobs. The combined projects also are expected to generate about $26 million in new tax revenues over the same period.

[GarfieldPark]

They're down to the final, SE corner as they are removing the remnants of the RCA Dome. Probably only a few days left to see any more pieces of the old structure. Foundations for the new expansion are being poured in the NW part of the site.

On another note - I was amazed to hear yesterday that the Convention Center landed a very large future convention - The American Library Association. Its supposed to bring about 20,000 people over five days. The amazing thing to me though was that it was for the year 2021! Amazing that they are scheduling these things that far in advance. Bizarre.

[SkywlkrSnd]

I know some may have issues with the design, architecture, or layout of a lot of these high-profile projects, but the fact that Indy has such an influx of construction work going on right now ($1.4B in a just couple blocks!) simply amazes me. Given what the economy has been through lately, I think we really are fortunate to have everything going on in this town that we do.

And although roughly 2/3 of money for the "Lucas Oil/Conv. Center" joint project went to the stadium, and the CC only got allocated 1/3 of it...I've always felt the convention center was the more important of the two projects. Sure, not as much glitz'n'glam or TV coverage at the stadium, but it will provide a more consistent lifeblood. Probably could just flip those cost ratios as far as "economic value" to the city goes: 1/3 Lucas Oil and 2/3 CC.

GarfieldPark: I too heard about the ALA convention the other day. I agree, 2021 is far away and seems like a really long lead-in time for a booking. But now that we're gonna be changing the level of our game and going after these large conventions that we previously weren't able to handle, I think we're gonna see this more and more. I look forward to seeing what else they start booking in the new space.

[Sunday_Bloody_Sundae]

According to the rendering, Capitol avenue will look very different in terms of street level, although it appears as if it has lost some of its overpowering canyonlike appearance, and has been replaced by the feeling of lowrise structures. It still looks nice though. I didn't realize how vast the convention center area was going to be until seeing the plans.

[IndyYeah]

I feel that the length of this thing will compensate for the canyon loss. It does seem like a high school, but I do kinda like the surfboard look more. Glad that it is new construction however. It will do. Not an overwhelming design, but nice.

[NaptownBoy]

The design is adequate but I just wish they would nix that awning/platform at the top there. It looks so out of place.

[IndyYeah]

The design is adequate but I just wish they would nix that awning/platform at the top there. It looks so out of place.

I really have not liked it, but have grown to like it for my sake, because it is something different. No, I would not have it if I were to design it, however, if this is going to be the"eyecatch", then go ahead with it. The color does not appear as light green as before, so I like it somewhat more. Anyone that knows my thoughts knows I am not anywhere near a fan of this firm nor another that does downtown projects, so if this is what they are presenting, then ok... I still have beliefs in the future that the architecture in Indy will dramatically improve, so for the time being...

[SkywlkrSnd]

That awning does look a bit awkward. Looks like the glass entry cube does not go all the way up to it; so is it cantilevered from the building behind? Geez, that's huge.

Seems they're going to have a nice, huge, flat canvas as a roof that would be perfect for future vertical expansions. Do we know if this building is designed with a structure that can be added to vertically if needed? For that matter, that huge, flat roof would be a great green roof...kinda like a small city park, albeit ~40' in the air.

Are there any LEED (or at least "green") opportunities on this one?

[Sunday_Bloody_Sundae]

That awning does look a bit awkward. Looks like the glass entry cube does not go all the way up to it; so is it cantilevered from the building behind? Geez, that's huge.

Seems they're going to have a nice, huge, flat canvas as a roof that would be perfect for future vertical expansions. Do we know if this building is designed with a structure that can be added to vertically if needed? For that matter, that huge, flat roof would be a great green roof...kinda like a small city park, albeit ~40' in the air.

Are there any LEED (or at least "green") opportunities on this one?

An elevated Green Roof Park with five or six towers sticking up out of it... for hotel purposes and residential would be nice. (Vertical convention space isn't practical for loading/unloading purposes.) They should have built a hotel tower directly attached to the convention center. They could have made a hotel open up onto a green roof with amentities such as a pool on the roofdeck. Does anyone know if the JW has a pool in the plans?

[socrates#1fan]

I don't care for the design.
However, I'm glad this is coming to our city, it will really help downtown.
I wish the design followed the LOS a little more.

[ablerock]

I wish the design followed the LOS a little more.

I wish the complete opposite. :-)

[socrates#1fan]

I wish the complete opposite. :-)

To each his/her own.
Anyway, I find this design very bland.
There is nothing interesting about it.
At least it isn't LA's Music can.

Take away the awning things and this looks straight out of the 70's.

[ablerock]

Anyway, I find this design very bland.


And Lucas Oil Stadium is inspired?

I agree that the design of the Convention Center isn't exactly cutting edge, but the last thing we'd want to do is take any cues from the cluster-f*ck of a design that is Lucas Oil Stadium. That would be a step down, not an improvement.

Lucas Oil Stadium looks like the bastard child of a giant strip mall, the steam plant downtown, Conseco Fieldhouse, The Colosseum, a barn, and an airplane hanger. It's positively schizophrenic, large, and oh-so ugly. Nothing in this city should ever take any design cues from Lucas Oil Stadium. Nothing.

Just sayin'. :-)

[socrates#1fan]

And Lucas Oil Stadium is inspired?

I agree that the design of the Convention Center isn't exactly cutting edge, but the last thing we'd want to do is take any cues from the cluster-f*ck of a design that is Lucas Oil Stadium. That would be a step down, not an improvement.

Lucas Oil Stadium looks like the bastard child of a giant strip mall, the steam plant downtown, Conseco Fieldhouse, The Colosseum, a barn, and an airplane hanger. It's positively schizophrenic, large, and oh-so ugly. Nothing in this city should ever take any design cues from Lucas Oil Stadium. Nothing.

Just sayin'. :-)

Oopsy doodles! :-o :nono:
I forgot classic design was evil and bad! God forbid we build anything that has any ornamentation or classical shape.
Classic= Hitler.
Let me guess? You would rather have something like the Beijing bird's nest? Right? That stadium that looks like a child got carried away with Daddy's paper clips and glue. :weird:
It could be anywhere, nothing screams Beijing about it.
The LOS isn't a perfect design, but at the very least it will be a respectable structure in the future.
It uses brick and stone tastefully (though I think they could have used more stone) and is designed to mimic historic Indiana Basketball stadiums.
The LOS is a decent structure that will still be attractive fifty years from now (unlike the RCA dome).
I'd take this cluster f*ck over most new stadiums any day. ;)

[ablerock]

Oopsy doodles! :-o :nono:
I forgot classic design was evil and bad! God forbid we build anything that has any ornamentation or classical shape.
Classic= Hitler.
Let me guess? You would rather have something like the Beijing bird's nest? Right? That stadium that looks like a child got carried away with Daddy's paper clips and glue. :weird:
It could be anywhere, nothing screams Beijing about it.
The LOS isn't a perfect design, but at the very least it will be a respectable structure in the future.
It uses brick and stone tastefully (though I think they could have used more stone) and is designed to mimic historic Indiana Basketball stadiums.
The LOS is a decent structure that will still be attractive fifty years from now (unlike the RCA dome).
I'd take this cluster f*ck over most new stadiums any day. ;)

I didn't say classic was bad. I love old buildings and art. I am particulary inspired by Art Nouveau. I love ornament. I would give anything to have every building from Indy, circa 1920, restored downtown via time machine.

LOS is just a shite design. It's the super-sized equivalent of the Subway they've proposed on Meridian:

http://propertylines.ibj.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/subway.JPG

LOS's "classical" elements are cookie-cutter and unrefined. Just slapping some arches on the bottom of a building doesn't make it good. Slathering little bricks all over a monstrous building doesn't make it timeless. If you want to see a classical stadium done well, look at the original Soldier Field, or the Colosseum for that matter. If you want to see a good homage to Indiana fieldhouses, look at Conseco Fieldhouse.

LOS is the bastard child of too many architectural precedents. It doesn't know what it wants to be and it doesn't do anything well, except loom.

Classical design is all about time-honed proportions and grace. The Colosseum, while massive, is still elegant and balanced. LOS is hulking, awkward, and crude.

You're also right about the Bird's nest. That building wouldn't be appropriate for Indy either. I really would've been fine with a classic, conservative, retro stadium, if it was done well. LOS is not an excellent building, no matter what era of architecture it was inspired by. There's good classical design and then there's just bad design, period.

[IndyYeah]

The JW is at least going to be a model for going forward. Even if a design is old, like from the 20's, or modern but back a few years like the JW, it is still eye catching. Maybe the bitching that happened with the JW will carry on in the future, whatever is proposed. The convention center looks like a smalltown high school, I am not happy with it, but is new. Now-In the future the public needs to complain about designs to the people that might listen. It seemed to work for the JW, maybe it would have worked with this thing.

[socrates#1fan]

I didn't say classic was bad. I love old buildings and art. I am particulary inspired by Art Nouveau. I love ornament. I would give anything to have every building from Indy, circa 1920, restored downtown via time machine.

Oh, I see.
I thought you were attacking new structures in traditional styles.
I also like Art Nouveau, however, I'm sort of stuck on Greek Revival.
Personally, I would love to see a lot of our historic architecture restored but I wouldn't want the city to never change either.
I think the reason many residents have this feeling towards pre-WWII Indianapolis is because of the architecture.
Do you think the victorians really felt upset over the loss of Greek revival and federal houses?
I think that is why there is such power in historic preservation. Maybe people are not preserving this buildings because they are historic (not everything that is old, is historic) but are preserving them because they like ornate structures and most modern buildings cannot stand up in that department to historic styles.




LOS is just a shite design. It's the super-sized equivalent of the Subway they've proposed on Meridian:


LOS's "classical" elements are cookie-cutter and unrefined. Just slapping some arches on the bottom of a building doesn't make it good. Slathering little bricks all over a monstrous building doesn't make it timeless. If you want to see a classical stadium done well, look at the original Soldier Field, or the Colosseum for that matter. If you want to see a good homage to Indiana fieldhouses, look at Conseco Fieldhouse.

LOS is the bastard child of too many architectural precedents. It doesn't know what it wants to be and it doesn't do anything well, except loom.

Of course it is. I wish it was more like Soldier Field (without the space ship in the middle) but I still don't think it is that bad. Its design isn't that amazing and yes, in many ways it does look cheap and suburban however there are some lovely elements about the structure.
Still, this city could have done WAY better with a traditional style.
Oh come on, you don't love that cheap Subway?
You know, if you take a brick off you will find wooden boards. It is like they took it off a set or something.


Classical design is all about time-honed proportions and grace. The Colosseum, while massive, is still elegant and balanced. LOS is hulking, awkward, and crude.

You're also right about the Bird's nest. That building wouldn't be appropriate for Indy either. I really would've been fine with a classic, conservative, retro stadium, if it was done well. LOS is not an excellent building, no matter what era of architecture it was inspired by. There's good classical design and then there's just bad design, period.

I totally agree about classic architecture, that is why I love it and why I hope people will lose their fear of it.
I suppose the LOS could have been designed better, but I still think it is elegant in its own way. It really isn't that bad, it could have been worse.
However, I hope in the future, if this city decides to build in traditional styles (which, I hope they do) they actually go classic and take a few hints from Nashville.

[NaptownBoy]

That Subway is pretty bad, Ablerock.

As for Lucas Oil Stadium--it's not an abomination, but from a design standpoint it more or less is a failure. It tries too hard to define something that never really was there in the first place. Instead, it comes across as awkward, aggressive, tacky, and imposing. The thing is damn near 300' tall. The brick veneer panels don't match. Don't even get me started on the skew.

The convention center expansion is definitely a step forward and a welcome addition to our fair city, and even though its design isn't particularly awe inspiring it doesn't attempt to come across as something it's not, unlike LOS.

[ablerock]

Oh, I see.
I thought you were attacking new structures in traditional styles.
I also like Art Nouveau, however, I'm sort of stuck on Greek Revival.
Personally, I would love to see a lot of our historic architecture restored but I wouldn't want the city to never change either.
I think the reason many residents have this feeling towards pre-WWII Indianapolis is because of the architecture.
Do you think the victorians really felt upset over the loss of Greek revival and federal houses?
I think that is why there is such power in historic preservation. Maybe people are not preserving this buildings because they are historic (not everything that is old, is historic) but are preserving them because they like ornate structures and most modern buildings cannot stand up in that department to historic styles.



Of course it is. I wish it was more like Soldier Field (without the space ship in the middle) but I still don't think it is that bad. Its design isn't that amazing and yes, in many ways it does look cheap and suburban however there are some lovely elements about the structure.
Still, this city could have done WAY better with a traditional style.
Oh come on, you don't love that cheap Subway?
You know, if you take a brick off you will find wooden boards. It is like they took it off a set or something.


I totally agree about classic architecture, that is why I love it and why I hope people will lose their fear of it.
I suppose the LOS could have been designed better, but I still think it is elegant in its own way. It really isn't that bad, it could have been worse.
However, I hope in the future, if this city decides to build in traditional styles (which, I hope they do) they actually go classic and take a few hints from Nashville.

Cool. :-) Thanks for not taking offense at my rant! It's not directed at you, but at years of bad design decisions in Indy. We started out so well, but lost our way in the 50's.

-

Ok, LOS isn't quite as bad as the Subway, but they're definitely related.

-

I don't think people fear classical design, I just think some people erroneously take sides. They believe that contemporary design and classical sensibilities can't coexist. I love design no matter what era it's from. Designers and Architects should be aware of all the aesthetic, historical, functional contexts of which the building/object they're designing will be part. They must be as aware as possible of which rules they're breaking, or following. That's all I ask. :-)

I traveled to London two years ago. It was awesome seeing all the old buildings. A lot of them are older than America! But, it even better seeing those buildings juxtaposed with the cutting-edge, world-class buildings and graphic design throughout the city.

[socrates#1fan]

Cool. :-) Thanks for not taking offense at my rant! It's not directed at you, but at years of bad design decisions in Indy. We started out so well, but lost our way in the 50's.

-
No problem.
Yes, after years of fake 'traditional' designs and just plain cheap ones I understand your anger.


Ok, LOS isn't quite as bad as the Subway, but they're definitely related.

-

I think it is a functional strong-designed structure.
However, it seems they just didn't give a lot of attention to the architecture.


I don't think people fear classical design, I just think some people erroneously take sides. They believe that contemporary design and classical sensibilities can't coexist. I love design no matter what era it's from. Designers and Architects should be aware of all the aesthetic, historical, functional contexts of which the building/object they're designing will be part. They must be as aware as possible of which rules they're breaking, or following. That's all I ask. :-)

I don't think the general public fears classical design. If anything, I think they like it, just look at suburban architecture.
That architecture is a poor attempt at people trying to build in traditional styles + being economical.
I also think that is why there is such a movement towards historic preservation.


I traveled to London two years ago. It was awesome seeing all the old buildings. A lot of them are older than America! But, it even better seeing those buildings juxtaposed with the cutting-edge, world-class buildings and graphic design throughout the city.

Yes, however I would love it if ornate architecture wasn't something that belonged only to the past.
Why must we reject it and leave it to historic architecture only? That is my question.
Why can't we have new cutting-edge ornate classical structures next to modern cutting-edge structures?
There seems to be so few new styles.

[CorrND]

I took some photos of the JW Marriott construction today and also grabbed this shot of the small expansion on the NW corner of the Convention Center.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/corrnd/JW%20Marriott/04-11-09/640px/2009-04JWMarriott022.jpg

[Indy Rock]

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/images/news/scenes/LenexSteelConventionCenter.jpg

Press Release

Indianapolis, Ind. -- The first steel beams arrived on site this month, and the structural steel erection phase of the Indiana Convention Center expansion project is now underway. Starting with the Georgia Street corridor, the downtown landscape is changing once again as the Convention Center expands into the space previously occupied by the RCA Dome.

Indianapolis-based Lenex Steel is fabricating the steel beams, columns, trusses, and stairs using 8,000 tons of steel to support the building’s framework. Fabrication work started last year in Lenex’s Terre Haute and Indianapolis plants. Weekly shipments of steel began to arrive at the site in mid-April and will continue through much of 2010.

“This project was in the planning phase for nearly a year, so the Lenex, Shiel-Sexton and Powers & Sons Construction teams are glad it is underway,” remarked Mike Berghoff, Lenex Steel President. “We are also pleased the work stayed in-state as Lenex was the only locally based fabricator to bid the project.”

When completed, the Indiana Convention Center will be the 17th largest facility in the United States. The expanded facility in conjunction with space at Lucas Oil Stadium will provide 745,000 of exhibit space and 131,000 square feet of meeting space. Topping off is expected to take place in 2010.

[IndyYeah]

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/images/news/scenes/LenexSteelConventionCenter.jpg

Press Release

Indianapolis, Ind. -- The first steel beams arrived on site this month, and the structural steel erection phase of the Indiana Convention Center expansion project is now underway. Starting with the Georgia Street corridor, the downtown landscape is changing once again as the Convention Center expands into the space previously occupied by the RCA Dome.

Indianapolis-based Lenex Steel is fabricating the steel beams, columns, trusses, and stairs using 8,000 tons of steel to support the building’s framework. Fabrication work started last year in Lenex’s Terre Haute and Indianapolis plants. Weekly shipments of steel began to arrive at the site in mid-April and will continue through much of 2010.

“This project was in the planning phase for nearly a year, so the Lenex, Shiel-Sexton and Powers & Sons Construction teams are glad it is underway,” remarked Mike Berghoff, Lenex Steel President. “We are also pleased the work stayed in-state as Lenex was the only locally based fabricator to bid the project.”

When completed, the Indiana Convention Center will be the 17th largest facility in the United States. The expanded facility in conjunction with space at Lucas Oil Stadium will provide 745,000 of exhibit space and 131,000 square feet of meeting space. Topping off is expected to take place in 2010.

Thought it was odd that they were the only locally based fabricator submitting. Does locally mean city or state? The reason I say "state", is because the economy I figured at least another bid from a state company would have been submitted. Now this will be the 17th largest. How long before another addition?

[hoosier]

How long before another addition?

Probably a few years, and not until the newly expanded convention center starts suffering from overcrowding and insufficient space issues.

The next location for an addition would be the parking lot on the north side of South Street between Lucas Oil Stadium and the train tracks.

[GarfieldPark]

Beginning to see some fairly quick progress on the Convention Center -- which makes sense since there isn't too much involved work related to putting up the giant exhibition space rooms that they currently are working on (which will be the bulk of this expansion project). Basically it is like putting up giant pole barns. (I'm sure its not quite that basic - but for the most part they're just putting up big roofs over a lot of open space.) As they get to the sections along the eastern edge of the structure - along Capitol Avenue - we will undoubtedly be seeing more complexity and architectural elements. As you drive westward along Georgia Street, toward the Convention Center, you can begin to see how the main entrance will form a grand, symmetrical entrance space, perfectly centered on Georgia St. Although Georgia St. has been a three block section downtown for quite a while, this new convention expansion will give a much more "book-ended" feel to the Street as it runs straight into Conseco on the one end and this main entrance to the Convention Center on the West end. You already get this feel with the basic structure that has only been constructed to about a block from Capitol Avenue at this time. That recently built section of the structure is only about the equivalent of a three story building - and yet it already makes an impressive presence in the view at the west end of the street. When the new main entrance is constructed, with its raised "ten meter platform" style roof structure, the street presence will be much more immense. That new structure should be fairly similar in height to a five story, glass building. It should have a very impressive way of anchoring the west end of Georgia St. downtown. Sorry I don't have a camera to take a picture - but if anyone else gets a chance to do so -- it would be appreciated I'm sure.

[philaustin06]

http://www.in.gov/iscba/2378.htm

[NaptownBoy]

http://www.in.gov/iscba/2378.htm
Is this a dynamic webcam?

[GarfieldPark]

It is. I just clicked on the link and the crane in the picture was moving.

[runway whore]

from the eagles nest

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b177/fashionking615muah/IMG_0406.jpg

[hoosier]

^^Nice shot. There has been at least one big construction project occuring in DT Indy these past few years.

[ablerock]

That photo look like it's been tilt-shifted (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-shift_miniature_faking) a bit. It looks like a model.

[hoosier]

That photo look like it's been tilt-shifted (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-shift_miniature_faking) a bit. It looks like a model.

What an interesting and captivating technique!

[GarfieldPark]

They've started putting up the steel beams to support the new main eastern entrance --- the glass "cube" -- which will be under the big central platform roof. One thing that is nice about it is the way the entrance is perfectly centered on Georgia Street. You're driving directly toward the glass cube when you are heading west on Georgia from Conseco. Definitely a couple of major bookends to that three block stretch of Georgia. Speaking of the convention center ---- interesting story in this morning's Star about hosting events there. Actually it primarily focused on big events at Lucas Oil Stadium during its first year. Besides the ten home Colts game, there were at least ten other major events that brought in over 40,000 people. Most were in the 50,000 - 60,000 person range. The Stadium will host about 160 events during its first year. I'll try to copy the story in another post.

[GarfieldPark]

Here's a link to the story about events at Lucas Oil Stadium during its first year. Its a pretty long article.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090713/LOCAL18/907130352/More+than+football+at+Colts++home

[cwilson758]

I still can't believe that the Dome was just on this site a few months back!

[IndyYeah]

Is there any height to the CC, or will it be pretty low and under the other buildings?

[Indy Rock]

I wish that they had placed retail along the east side of the Convention Center. Now THAT would be a novel idea! Of course still keep the nice entrance at Georgia Street. :)

[GarfieldPark]

re: height of the Convention Center --- It is all pretty low. Most of the expansion (particularly the southern and western parts of the new addition) is made up of very large, single floor exhibition halls. The ceilings are probably around 30 - 35 feet. Around the main entry area off of S. Capitol Ave, there are two levels of meeting rooms and the main hallway. That area is probably 35 - 40 feet tall. The glass entry area with the "platform" roof above it is the tallest part of the new addition. Its maybe 45 feet tall. Overall, its about the equivilant of a sprawling three story building. The view of the skyline from the south is much better though now. Previously the big white RCA Dome bubble blocked a lot of the view. Now there is an excellent view from south of South Street - you can see the double spires of St. John's Church and a few other shorter buildings that rise in front of the skyline. It looks pretty nice.

[IndyYeah]

That is acually quite good that the church has a much less enclosed area around it now. Kinda neat how an area can somewhat go back to the way it was years ago.

[GarfieldPark]

Drove by the expansion site yesterday - along S. Capitol. Looks like they've got about 80% or more of the framing up for the expansion to the exhibit hall area to the south of the current facilities. They are just about ready to start putting up the last big section, which is the part that runs along Capitol. That should really begin to give the feel of how this expansion will impact the street - as we'll see what its like with the beams for the new eastern walls up in that area and we'll begin to feel how the wall will frame up alongside the street. That part along Capitol may take longer than the construction for the other parts of the new exhibit halls because this section will need to be prepared ready to handle windows and the outer hallways.

It will be interesting to see what the walkway looks like that is being built under the railroad tracks over to LOS. That area is so junky looking now -- Hopefully this project will help see that that area stays a little cleaner -- but I realize it wouldn't be easy trying to keep truck and auto soot off of the walls of a railroad underpass. The walkway - from what I have seen - may just be completely insulated - so that people walking through it won't really have any kind of a view to make them realize they are walking under several railroad tracks. The pictures I've seen make it look a lot like walking through a connecting concourse between gates at a large airport. Hopefully they will at least be able to put up some attractive pictures and/or local advertising to let them know where they are and what kinds of things they can do while in downtown.

[ablerock]

^^

The walkway will be enclosed, but don't forget, the Cultural Trail is now heading down Capitol Ave all the way to South St as well. It will be alongside the enclosed walkway.

http://www.in.gov/iscba/2365.htm

[EddieB317]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St95o_fK10I/AAAAAAAADkE/v5XXdg61TJY/s640/photo%205.jpg


I wonder how the existing rail road is going to integrate into the site. It seems like the space in between the Convention Center expansion and Lucas Oil Stadium has a lot of potential to be a great open air area for conventions and festivals. I hope that the tracks can be worked around or properly integrated into the design.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St95pDzoDQI/AAAAAAAADkM/puqn9bUVnXc/s640/photo%206.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St95publhuI/AAAAAAAADkQ/HXxoqcZU_Nk/s640/photo%207.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St95pz7L7wI/AAAAAAAADkU/doqyXWKxi2s/s640/photo%208.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St95qT-WR9I/AAAAAAAADkY/jIACRolYTQ0/s640/photo%209.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St953mzDWxI/AAAAAAAADmU/zdoJzaiC24Y/s640/photo%2041.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St9558wtIuI/AAAAAAAADmo/gQwExQ8Tnzw/s640/photo%2046.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St957PE8oCI/AAAAAAAADms/OS76EcGWWnY/s640/photo%2047.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St957wmzrWI/AAAAAAAADmw/kthudgrFqDk/s640/photo%2048.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St958cflSVI/AAAAAAAADm4/vlCxW1b7rdE/s640/photo%2049.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St958-RTnKI/AAAAAAAADm8/1-fbANexPWc/s640/photo%2050.jpg

Across the Street...
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St95-pBYDtI/AAAAAAAADnM/BdHfVqcVe-I/photo%2054.jpg

[hoosier]

Great pics. The Luke looks so imposing in that last shot.

[EddieB317]

Sorry about the horrible quality of these pics. The camera is super crappy at night.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj3QpkGOYI/AAAAAAAADrw/har_SKxonFg/photo.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj3Rbgvu9I/AAAAAAAADsA/eJL8nZLdoB4/photo%205.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj887DpltI/AAAAAAAADsk/AX5B1DJIMpw/photo%204.jpg

[aavmarine]

I wish they could put their construction cam in a new place. All you see now is the top of the building.

[cwilson758]

I drove past this over the weekend and I like how it engages the Capitol Ave street and hopefull will add to the area. Much bigger than the photos imply

[EddieB317]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/SvRrZeByR4I/AAAAAAAAD3g/FiOy-59X9TY/s640/P1010216.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/SvRrPQZQD_I/AAAAAAAAD3Q/TNymW0i5ylE/s640/P1010213.JPG



http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/SvRrcefw8zI/AAAAAAAAD3k/5G9IddMnYa8/s512/P1010217.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/SvRrfYdkEDI/AAAAAAAAD3o/wJ28gOVGLkE/s640/P1010218.JPG

[hoosier]

^^That last pic is great. It captures the CC expansion and the JW Marriott Project.

Now if only we could get Georgia Street resurfaced.

[runway whore]

November 19, 2009 from Eagles Nest


http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b177/fashionking615muah/IMG_0567.jpg