I was in Indianapolis last week for a tradeshow photo gig; had a few moments to get out and about but because of my schedule, I didn't get out of downtown. In a few cases, I had around 30 minutes so sorry if these photos don't seem too cohesive. Whatever the case, there were times where Indianapolis amazed me and there were times where it horrified me - and I have photos to prove it :-)

 

Got in late on Tuesday night, so we snagged some drinks and dinner at Scottys - nice view from the patio:

 

Made our way over to Monument Circle - unfortunately the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was still undergoing renovation:

 

By day, this is a rather unappealing brutalist building, but at night, the lighting changes everything. Cleveland's Ameritrust Tower could use a more subdued lighting scheme along these lines:

 

I don't mind a newer modern/sleek building not fitting in but this hotel needs *something* more. It's just not doing it for me.

 

On the other hand, the state capitol building is rather lovely:

 

And then more ugly brutalism but then - as the kids say "WhatTheWhatWhatWhat?!?"...

 

Yeah, the Repertory Theatre... Indy folks are lucky it wouldn't fit in my luggage for the trip back to Cleveland ;-)

 

The arts garden at Circle Center Mall... not sure what to make of it:

 

My home away from home - corporate/convention hotel row; though it did have a remnant or two of history left intact:

 

Not far away, the remnants of 70s brutalism reared their incredibly ugly heads:

 

Gorgeous church on a monumental scale... surrounded by parking garages, 80s schlock office tower and skywalks... I guess every good city has warts.

 

And speaking of - this monstrosity. Normally I try to do a little color correction and adjust the angles of the image to get the posted photo to resemble what I saw when I snapped the pic... this abomination doesn't deserve it. Oh - see the structure in the background? That's part of this whole complex  :-P

 

And did I mention that it's across the street from this?

 

I had hoped to get a tour of the Repertory Theatre but they were setting up for a performance.

 

Not even a good weather day can help this craptacular building:

 

Again - the Hyatt/PNC complex is catty-corner to this?

 

HQ to Simon Properties, shopping mall developers:

 

Yeah, more Repertory Theatre; deal with it:

 

Indianapolis had more historic mid-rise architecture than I was aware of - a pleasant surprise:

 

 

Wish I had a chance to take a peek inside this church but time didn't allow for it:

 

A few views from our room at the Marriott - apologies for the schmutz on the windows:

 

 

 

Back to street level and the arts garden:

 

This building is hemmed in by the Westin and Marriott - great little bar there with a much more appealing atmosphere than the hotel bars (Loughmillers for those who are interested):

 

I didn't have much time, but I really wanted to check out the Capitol building:

 

So d@mned glad I did :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back out to the CBD:

 

 

 

 

About as far from the convention center as I could make it that day; don't worry - got back to the War Memorial, and those photos will be in part 2 :-)

 

 

Love, love, loved the curved facades on the buildings on Monument Circle:

 

If only modern churches had half the character...

 

 

 

From the sacred to the secular - yeah, you guessed it - the ceiling of the Repertory Theatre lobby:

 

The lobby - sorry for the blur; had to put the lens up on the glass on the entry door:

 

Repertory Theatre ticket booth:

 

And remember the Loughmiller's Pub building? Here's the doorway - not too shabby ;)

 

Much more in part 2 :-)

Whatever the case, there were times where Indianapolis amazed me and there were times where it horrified me

 

Having lived there for nearly five years, I couldn't agree more.  Downtown has some nice elements, primarily elements that would cater to the tourist/conventioneer (specifically lots of recognizable chain restaurant/stores).  Leave downtown, however, and there is very little redeeming about it, in my opinion.

 

Nice shots, BTW!

Thanks for that!

Thanks, MayDay. I'm glad to get your take on Indianapolis. Even though I have never lived there, I have spent a lot of time there over the past 20 years and find it interesting.

 

The area around the convention center has grown from a convention-oriented complex into a district of its own. It makes plainly apparent the centrality of this industry to Indianapolis. I would agree on your mixed feelings about the convention district and the rest of downtown, but I do like that the downtown is surprisingly compact for a city that, overall, is sprawling. It is obvious that the downtown has been getting a lot of attention for a long time, and I think the scale of Monument Circle, despite the grandeur of its centerpiece, is very appealing to most people.

 

I agree that the urban appeal of Indy drops off outside downtown but would not agree that it disappears completely. There are many interesting corridors and neighborhoods before you get to the Columbus-style ring city along 465, where a building like the downtown Hyatt would not seem so out of place.

 

... and I think the scale of Monument Circle, despite the grandeur of its centerpiece, is very appealing to most people.

 

The Circle is a great place to hang out with a brown-bag lunch on a pleasant summer weekday; a lot of people go there to take a break from the indoor environment, and it's a good place for people-watching.

 

... There are many interesting corridors and neighborhoods before you get to the Columbus-style ring city along 465 ...

 

Meridian Avenue going north to 38th Street is a good example, with some attractive older commercial buildings, apartments, a few mansions, and the wonderful Children's Museum. At the north end is the Art Museum incorporating the Eli Lilly Mansion and its elegant grounds with a woodland path along the old Indianapolis Water Canal.

Wow, I am impressed by Indianapolis' architecture! That Indiana Repertory Theatre is amazing!