Georgia Street West Block Reopens December With New Pedestrian Features

Downtown Indianapolis will gain new pedestrian space along the west block of Georgia Street when it opens in December 2026, part of ongoing work that connects the Indiana Convention Center to nearby venues.

The timing aligns with several hotel projects moving toward completion in the same period, all drawn from a total of $3 billion in tourism-related investments tracked by local promoters. These changes arrive as planners prepare events that could extend into outdoor areas near the convention center and Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Georgia Street section fronts both the convention center and the site of the new Signia by Hilton hotel. Earlier work on the street had already narrowed traffic lanes after Super Bowl XLVI, and the current phase aims to create flexible public space that event organizers can activate for meetings and gatherings.

Hotel projects tied to the same corridor

Visit Indy lists the Signia by Hilton and convention center expansion at $710 million, with an anticipated December 2026 opening that includes a 50,000-square-foot ballroom and an 803-room hotel rising 38 stories. The project will increase the number of skywalk-connected hotels to 13 properties and 5,500 rooms. Across the street, the 176-room Ritz-Carlton is scheduled for 2028 as part of a mixed-use development that also includes a 4,000-capacity music venue operated by Live Nation.

Two additional hotels are expected in late 2026. The Kimpton conversion of the historic Odd Fellows building will add 167 rooms, a 4,500-square-foot ballroom and a rooftop bar and restaurant. The Motto Hotel redevelopment of the King Cole Building will bring 116 rooms with views toward Monument Circle, a rooftop bar and street-level dining options.

Airport and future phases

Farther out, the 253-room Westin at Indianapolis International Airport is due in December 2027 after breaking ground in June 2025. It will include a rooftop bar and meeting space directly linked to the terminal garage. A separate $600 million project called Traction Yards has a first phase targeted for 2029.

Local observers note that the Georgia Street redesign and new hotels will alter daily movement and activity patterns for residents and businesses in the blocks between the convention center and Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Event planners are expected to test the new outdoor areas once the west block opens.

Those wanting to review the sites in person can request a visit through Visit Indy by emailing sales@visitindy.com or submitting a request for proposal on the organization's website.