Venue News

World’s largest JW Marriott hits
key construction milestone

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The JW Marriott Indianapolis – the largest JW Marriott in the world - has been topped out, marking the completion of a major exterior construction milestone on this landmark property that is changing the face of downtown Indianapolis, and is the centerpiece of the unique, new Marriott PlaceSM Indianapolis development.

“We are on schedule to open the JW Marriott Indianapolis in February, 2011,” said Cory Chambers, director of sales and marketing for Marriott Place. “As the largest JW Marriott in the world, with more than 1,000 rooms and 104,000 square feet of meeting space, this property will offer flexibility and amenities not found anywhere else in the Midwest.” In fact, the 40,500-square-foot ballroom in the JW Marriott Indianapolis will be the largest ballroom in the region.

Marriott Place Indianapolis is a one-of-a-kind collection of five Marriott properties that will offer unprecedented options to meeting planners. In addition to the flagship JW Marriott Indianapolis, it includes the Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown and the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown (all scheduled to open in February, 2010) and the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (currently open). Altogether, Marriott Place Indianapolis will bring 1,626 new rooms to downtown Indianapolis, all of which are steps away from the world-class shopping, dining and destinations of downtown Indianapolis.

“As each of these properties comes closer to completion, we invite meeting planners to take a look not just at Indianapolis as a destination, but at Marriott Place as the perfect venue,” said Chambers. “We designed Marriott Place with planners in mind, and with the breadth of brands and meeting spaces we will offer, we have the flexibility to execute meetings, conventions and events of all sizes, at a variety of price points.” 

The $450 million Marriott Place Indianapolis is being developed by White Lodging Services and REI Investments, and largely funded by entrepreneur and developer, Dean White. “We wanted to make this project a landmark for Indianapolis, its convention business and our family,” said Bruce White.

The development is expected to have a very significant positive economic impact on Indianapolis, with more than 250,000 room nights already booked. “Thanks to the bold vision and investment of White Lodging, Marriott Place Indianapolis is allowing us to market Indianapolis as a first-tier destination for large conventions, meetings and events,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association. “With the expanded Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium and Marriott Place, our great city has moved into a new realm of competitiveness.”

The spectacular $450 million complex will feature 1,626 rooms and, when combined with the existing 622 rooms in the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, will form Marriott Place Indianapolis. Once completed, the luxurious and spacious hotel complex will serve as the premier convention headquarters hotel in Indianapolis with 145,000 square feet of meeting, banquet and exhibit space (104,000 square feet within the JW Marriott Indianapolis), and one of Marriott’s largest hotel ballrooms totaling 40,500 square feet. This landmark hotel development will serve as an anchor for central Indiana’s convention and tourism industry. Located on a seven-acre site overlooking the White River State Park, guests are steps away from a thriving downtown with numerous, exciting entertainment attractions. The grand opening for the Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, and the T.G.I. Friday’s is February, 2010. The JW Marriott Indianapolis will open in February, 2011.