Indianapolis Artsgarden facts for kids
The Indianapolis Artsgarden is a super cool glass building that looks like a giant dome. It's located right in the middle of downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, spanning over Washington and Illinois streets. It's not just a fancy walkway connecting the Circle Centre Mall to nearby offices and hotels; it's also a lively spot where you can see art and listen to music. Over 300 shows happen there every year! The Artsgarden also has a special desk called the Cultural Concierge. This is where you can find information about local art, cultural events, maps, and visitor guides. The Arts Council of Indianapolis owns and manages this amazing structure, including the walkways that connect it to other buildings.
Quick facts for kids Indianapolis Artsgarden |
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Artsgarden looking west from Washington Street in 2015
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Location | Intersection of Washington & Illinois streets |
| Address | 110 W. Washington St. |
| Town or city | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 39°46′02″N 86°09′35″W / 39.76717°N 86.15985°W |
| Completed | 1995 |
| Cost | $12 million |
| Owner | Arts Council of Indianapolis |
| Height | 95 feet (29 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Diameter | 110 feet (34 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 19,000 square feet (1,800 m2) (including bridges) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects |
| Structural engineer | Weiskopf & Pickworth LLP |
| Main contractor | DeMars Program Management |
| Awards and prizes | Engineering Award of Excellence National Winner 1998 |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity | 600 standing, 400 seated, or 250 at tables |
How the Artsgarden Was Designed
The Artsgarden was designed by a company called Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects. They also designed the Circle Centre Mall next door. Another group, Blackburn Architects, helped with the design and building. It cost $12 million to build, and a group called the Lilly Endowment paid for it.
Inside the Artsgarden
The main floor of the Artsgarden is 17 feet above the street intersection. It has cool arched steel beams and glass sections that make it look like a series of domes. The tallest part of the dome is 75 feet above the floor, which is 95 feet above the street! The dome itself is 110 feet wide. A huge amount of glass, about 32,000 square feet, was used to build it. This makes the Artsgarden feel very open and bright. The entire dome sits on two pairs of strong steel beams, each 185 feet long, that stretch diagonally across the intersection.
Connecting the City
When the Artsgarden was first built in 1995, it connected the second floor of the Circle Centre Mall to the Claypool Courts building. There were also stairs leading down to the sidewalks.
In 2006, a new hotel called the Conrad Indianapolis was built where a small park used to be. The stairs on that side were replaced with a direct connection to the hotel. Later, in 2011, construction started on another walkway. This one connected the Artsgarden to the 16-story PNC Center and the Hyatt Regency hotel complex. The owners of that complex had not wanted to help pay for the connection back in 1995. But in 2010, they agreed to share the $1.2 million cost. This new walkway was finished in January 2012, completing the original idea for the Artsgarden.
See Also
