Corporate meeting and event planners will soon have another hotel and event space option to consider when hosting events in Indianapolis. Situated in the landmarked Illinois Building following an intensive restoration project that has returned the 11-story structure to its previous grandeur, the new InterContinental Indianapolis hotel is gearing up to open in the city’s downtown this winter.  

Situated near Monument Circle, the 170-room property will feature a new contemporary entrance canopy, grand staircase, lobby bar, eight-story atrium, luxury accommodations, two restaurants, a rooftop bar, a 24-hour fitness center, and contemporary meeting and event spaces.  

Backstory: Built in 1926 by L. Strauss & Company and designed by famed 20th century Indianapolis architects Rubush & Hunter, the 10-story Illinois Building was listed as one of Indiana’s 10 most endangered landmark buildings before Keystone Realty Group acquired it in 2013. Featuring a distinctive granite and limestone exterior with Art Moderne elements and topped by an ornate gold-glazed terra cotta cornice, the building has undergone various changes over the years, but its opulent primary entrance and richly decorated lobby have remained intact. Its transformation into a luxury InterContinental hotel has involved modernizing its facilities while preserving its historic architectural features, a phased redevelopment project that has been in the works since 2014. 

Here’s what the InterContinental Indianapolis will have to offer for business event and leisure guests alike: 

Meeting and Event Spaces: Outfitted with the latest technology, the hotel’s 4,800 square feet of meeting space includes a 2,473-square-foot ballroom, two 500-square-foot meeting rooms, a 420-square-foot executive board room that can accommodate 16 guests, a 305-square-foot lounge, a 2,059-square-foot banquet room, and 488 square feet of pre-function space. Flexible dining spaces in the Astrea Rooftop Bar can also be booked for private events.  

According to hotel officials, the new meeting space has already been booked by a number of event groups from a range of industries, including professional and amateur sports, legal, and pharmaceutical, and for board of directors meetings and weddings. 

Guest Rooms: Blending modern residential comforts with a timeless design feel, each of the hotel’s 170 guest rooms and 17 suites feature a palette of cream and gray tones, textured fabrics, luxurious furnishings, plush beds with white linens, white marble bathrooms with waterfall showers, and bespoke artwork.  

Food & Beverage: Located on the second floor, Serliana Café & Lounge will serve as a fashionable social hub for breakfasts, business lunches, and evening dining, while Astrea Rooftop Bar is an all-season cocktail lounge perched on the building’s 11th floor. Overlooking the iconic Monument Circle and the Indiana State Capitol, this rooftop bar is a first-of-its-kind in downtown Indy and offers an unobstructed view of Lady Victory, sitting above the iconic Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Overseen by Executive Chef Craig Baker, the hotel’s F&B offerings also include onsite catering and banquet services, as well as 24-hour in-room dining. 

What they are saying: “From our experience and what we are seeing across the industry, meeting and event planners are seeking out new destinations to do business in and to share ‘what’s new and undiscovered’ with their attendees,” said Michael Moros, general manager of the InterContinental Indianapolis. “We are the newest luxury hotel in Indianapolis and the first to have a rooftop bar that overlooks the iconic Monument Circle in the heart of our downtown. We have transformed a nearly 100-year-old landmarked building with incredibly modern and design-forward meeting and event space and incredible dining experiences with the best views in downtown Indy.” 

Have some meetings hotel news to share? Reach out to lisa.savas@informa.com and danica.tormohlen@informa.com.

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