Downtown Mall Branching Out

As Circle Centre Mall in downtown Indianapolis continues its transformation, the high-profile property has announced several new businesses and the relocation of Purdue Polytechnic High School. General Manager Audrie Thompson says the announcement, which follows word in February that the nearly 25-year-old landmark was receiving a multi-million dollar facelift, fits with the changing landscape and demographics downtown. Purdue Polytechnic opened in August at The Union 525 on the city’s near south side as a temporary location until its permanent space at the former PR Mallory industrial complex is complete.

Thompson says the new tenants will help create an environment unlike anything else. "It’s really nice to bring something that’s unique and different to Circle Centre, something that you can’t get at your hometown mall and we want to provide that unique experience — not just to the visitors and convention and tourism goers that we see already come to the mall and enjoy downtown, but to the residential market in downtown," she told Inside INdiana Business Reporter Mary-Rachel Redman. "There’s really a changing demographic and we feel that we’re transforming to meet the needs of that demographic, as well."

The new retail, nonretail and dining locations include Chin Sushi House, Seoul Fresh, Thai Sweet House, Home Grown Indiana, Execuwell and the charter high school. Renovations at the mall are billed as the "most extensive" investment since it opened in 1995. You can read more about the mall’s transformation by clicking here. The mall is working to fill the exits of some long-time tenants in recent years, including its last retail anchor Carson’s, which is in the process of winding down its occupation following the bankruptcy of its parent company.