The face of downtown Indianapolis is set to change, with the former Circle Centre Mall area being renamed to Traction Yards. In a release from Hendricks Commercial Properties, the new brand for the redevelopment reflects an ambition to inject "new energy, activity and opportunity to the heart of the city." The pronouncement of the mall's transformation into Traction Yards was made yesterday, December 12, as per reports from FOX59 and WTHR.
Significant to the city's progress, the redevelopment will to bring an open-air, pedestrian-focused campus. It's composed of retail, dining, and entertainment spaces, inclusive of office areas and residential units. "Traction Yards will be a destination that symbolizes movement, connection, and the next chapter of downtown Indianapolis," Rob Gerbitz, the president and CEO of Hendricks Commercial Properties, stated according to FOX59. The project, forecasted for completion starting with its first major phase in 2029 will notably include 400,000 square feet of commercial space, 100,000 square feet of office space, more than 300 residences, and accessible public plazas and green spaces.
Last month, existing shops within the Circle Centre Mall were instructed to vacate by year's end. This development came after a portion of the mall was closed down in April to facilitate the beginning stages of the transformation. Exterior-facing businesses have been permitted to operate during the transition, and the full vacating of the mall is said to be "an essential next step in the redevelopment process," as Gerbitz articulated on FOX59, extending gratitude to the establishments that have been an integral part of the mall's history.
The overhaul has been in the pipeline for almost two years, with Wisconsin-based Hendricks Commercial Properties fostering plans for an extensive, open-air shopping district with hints of Indianapolis' industrial and railway roots. According to an article by IndyStar, the redevelopment aims to incorporate a mix of over 300 apartments, a 100,000-square-foot office space, and diversely purposed public green space. While a potential boutique hotel component is under consideration, it may give way to additional apartments, contingent on feasibility. The IndyStar newsroom, located in the southern end of the mall, is also preparing to vacate.
The industrial core of the construction will mostly occur internally, with little external work visible to the public in the forthcoming year. Maintaining the historical character is part of the plan, with efforts to preserve the historic façades along Meridian Street, including the old L.S. Ayres storefront. The Indianapolis Artsgarden is also slated to keep its place, quelling previous concerns that it might be demolished or relocated. Beyond that, most skywalk connections will be retained, save for the one above Georgia Street leading to Circle Centre Mall from the Omni Hotel, designated for demolition.
