Another Parking Lot Gone?

It appears the trend of developing our lowest and worst uses will continue with a new proposal for the storied parking lot at the northeast corner of Pennsylvania and Vermont. Perhaps inspired by TWG’s development on the old Indy Star site, this proposal calls for a 7-story, mixed-use building with 165 dwelling units, 157-space parking garage and 2,200 square feet of retail. We just received this, so we are interested in your thoughts.

 

This petition, 2018-REG-031 is scheduled to be heard Thursday, April 26 at 10 am in room 1842 of the City-County Building.

 

Comments 26

  • Happy that development is being proposed on this lot, but this is ugly as hell. The city needs to demand better architecture, especially right next to the World War Memorial.

    • These all go before a public hearing, which typically goes on without the community present. The City has guidelines, but they are also pressured to do many things. For the most part, they only hear from developers and owners of projects. If you want change, be the opposing voice at the table.

    • The only development in this area before the Pulliam Square one was the high-end condo building “cap” next door to this site which happened right before the crash in 2008.

      We are basically starting from scratch and developers are being cautious at this point. These buildings will be scrapped in about 25 years and something better looking will replace it at that time if things stay solid in downtown that long.

    • All vertical construction within 300 feet of the War Memorial must be approved by the War Memorial Commission. They meet every two months. I highly recommend voicing your opinion relating to material uses to them. I really want this development to happen, as the lot itself is utterly heinous. Pushing it forward while helping the developer make sound decisions relating to material uses is a smart strategy.

    • It seems all of the new buildings are basically the same, being square and rectangular buildings with a cop on top that overhangs. It would be nice to see something more creative. Indy isn’t alone, I’ve seen the same buildings in Seattle.

  • 157 spaces for 165 dwelling units? YES!

    Other than that, it’s not a parking lot so whatever.

  • Midrise and multiuse building vs a parking lot. I like that part. As for the style it is so unremarkable. I’m looking at the picture right now and I’ve already forgotten what it looks like as I’m typing this.

    • You’re right, but maybe that’s good. I’d rather have a building that blends into the background than another multicolored Artistry.

  • 1) I think the plan for the area calls for 10 story buildings (matching the height of the American Building/333 Penn apartments across Vermont).

    2) The rendering doesn’t match the plan. The right center of the building in the render appears to have a “recess” in it, effectively creating “front” and “back” towers connected at the ground level…which would be a better look than the plan view.

    • Chris, It looks like the plan is the first level, and shows the outline of that level. The ‘tower’ levels likely take the form shown in the perspective rendering. If you look at the rendering closely, you can see that the first level matches the floor plan.

      • Yes, I agree, but then the plan should show the foundation and structure that holds up the north end of the “back” tower. That’s what confused me.

    • I like the look of this, as it has just enough character to be interesting but not so much that it detracts from its neighbors. “Form follows function” works well here. Also, except for the “tower” levels this appears to be a six-story mid-rise.

  • Come on guys this development doesn’t look to bad at all, even though it would look nicer with a white and brick almost like Pulliam square or cosmopolitan on the canal two tone style or some nice colors added in , otherwise again this doesn’t look bad at all, this could easily be seen in such cities as a Denver, Chicago, Columbus Ohio and yes even a phoenix az.

  • Really starting to wonder about DT ability to absorb more units.

    • Thank you, Blair. You are spot on correct. The way this ALWAYS works everywhere is that developers overbuild. Cities like Austin and Denver can eventually absorb the overhang because they have a steady supply of refugees moving in from less desirable places like, well, Indy. I have no doubt that they won’t hit the brakes until there’s at least a 10% overhang and then it will be too late. Based on long term population trends, it could take well over a decade to absorb 10%, that is, if it’s ever absorbed at all.

    • Downtown rental unit occupancy is over 97% and rents continue to climb so I’m not sure where your concerns regarding the ability to absorb more units stems from. There is, so far, no indication that Downtown will see a sudden drop in rental housing occupancy.

      • 1. I did not say sudden.
        2. Hundreds of units will be available soon in multiple developments.
        3. Restaurants are closing right and left indicating that the market may be over-saturated in that area, something that often is a leading indicator not a lagging one.
        4. Often the pullback in development occurs after too many nits are already built.

  • I would love to see the material selection. Then we can debate.

  • Although the provided render looks fairly boring and “safe”, The building form itself is pretty interesting (for Indianapolis) and well-done. With some more in-dept exploration into materials this could be a nice project. All of the buildings immediately around it are white/grey/beige, likely to better compliment the monument. Imagining this project with a white brick and some higher contrast (60-70% grey) in other materials makes me all giddy, but mostly because I love the building north of this site.

  • Fixes that fail is a trap developers often fall into. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixes_that_fail

  • It’s a pretty boring design but I’m glad to see another parking lot and curb cut disappear. I just saw a rendering of the Hanna international loft development in Lafayette Square before seeing this and it’s making me wish this design took some bigger risks.

  • Any update on this?

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