Start 18: Metropolis Shopping Center
Cost: $127 million

An 850,000-sq.-ft. retail center will offer futuristic flair to conservative west-central Indiana.

The Metropolis, designed by Detroit-based JPRA Architects, is an open-air lifestyle center under construction in Plainfield, Ind., on the Southwest Side of Indianapolis. Phase one, which is 530,000 sq. ft., broke ground Jan. 6 and is scheduled to open by fall 2005.

When complete, the 12-building Metropolis will bring 150,000 sq. ft. of specialty retailers together with anchors JCPenney's, an 18-screen Rave Theatre and a two-level Dick's Sporting Goods.

Complementing the modern design, the central promenade will feature open-air stages and gathering spaces enhanced by natural gas elements and lighting that will "draw patrons to the center and keep them there," said Scott Blyze, vice president of construction for local Premier Properties.

Rapidly Growing Area

Developing Metropolis is an attractive endeavor as Plainfield is located in Indiana's fastest growing county where retail development has not kept pace with residential development, Blyze said.

Accessibility to the center will also bring in shoppers. In conjunction with the expansion of the Indianapolis International Airport, a new Interstate 70 interchange will provide access to the airport's new midfield terminal and to Metropolis.

By early April, steel was up for the five buildings of phase one. The four buildings of phase two are scheduled to break ground by late spring 2005.

Most of the structural steel buildings will have masonry exteriors with some featuring EFIS. The single-level buildings have a double volume space.

"There's an office element in two of the buildings to blend mixed use," Blyze said. "It's a pedestrian-friendly, main-on-main atmosphere."

Adjacent to Metropolis is Plainfield Commons, a power center anchored by Target, Kohl's, Wal-Mart, Old Navy and PetsMart.

"Plainfield has some decent retail, but they're power centers," Blyze said. "This is a true lifestyle center."

Fully developed, Metropolis and Plainfield Commons will house nearly 2.3 million sq. ft. of regional retail on one tract of land.

Return to Top of 2005 list