Two milestones on the path to complete the sixth expansion of the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and new Signia by Hilton Indianapolis have been reached. First, the sale of bonds that will help fund construction costs has been completed. The bulk of construction expenses will be funded through proceeds of the bonds, which were sold last fall. Second, the Indiana Convention Center and Hilton officials have signed the management agreement that will allow Hilton to operate the new convention and event space and Signia by Hilton Indianapolis.
“The two items we crossed off the to-do list are much like the foundation work required in construction: neither is particularly visible on the outside, but both are of critical importance in making the larger project possible,” says Indiana Convention Center Executive Director Andy Mallon. “They allow us to continue movement toward the highly visible items we will begin seeing soon and opening the doors in 2026. The Signia by Hilton brand is ideal for this expansion project, and having Hilton signed on to manage the property is the pivotal addition that will take us to the next level of the events industry.”
The project is anticipated to be completed in 2026. Once finished, the ICC expansion will house one of the top 10 convention center ballrooms by size in the U.S. and the additional event space needed to host two citywide conventions at one time. A skywalk over Capitol Avenue will connect the expansion to the existing convention center. Officials say the expansion project will not disrupt the operation of existing convention center space.
The 40-story Signia by Hilton Indianapolis will be built on the same site. This new convention-focused hotel will become the tallest in Indianapolis, and it will bring the number of hotel rooms connected via climate-controlled skywalks in Indianapolis to more than 5,500, more than any other city across the United States.
“The Signia by Hilton Indianapolis will help kickstart the next era of downtown Indianapolis,” says Mayor Joe Hogsett. “It renews our commitment to an economic resource that has netted Indianapolis billions in revenue. This partnership is one of the ways our city’s economy, and our skyline, continues to grow beyond many of our peers.”
Main Image: Rendering of Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana; Credit: Visit Indy
