Hotel Indigo Plans to Offer Creative Stay at Crossroads Arts District Location

By Kevin Collison

Work on the $13 million Hotel Indigo project at 2020 Grand Blvd. is well underway with the goal of it being a unique place to stay fitting with its Crossroads Arts District location.

“I don’t want it to be in the Crossroads and just be a ‘Hampton Inn,’” said developer Matt Abbott. “I wanted something special to fit with the boutique nature of the neighborhood.”

The 81-room hotel is being developed as an “Indigo,” a boutique concept offered by the International Hotel Group based in Atlanta. To qualify as an Indigo, the prospective developer has to submit his “story” idea for the hotel concept to IHG.

“Our story was ‘it started with an art gallery,’” Abbott said. “I love that, because that’s how the revitalization of the Crossroads began. It’s all about art.”

In keeping with that story, the Hotel Indigo lobby will feature a rotating art gallery and original art will be displayed in every room and common area, including the hotel bar and restaurant.

The new hotel is being developed in a three-story commercial building that opened in 1922. It had been used previously by KC Costume Co., a theatrical costume manufacturing and rental business. Costumes made there were leased for Broadway productions and other theater groups.

The project received a 10-year, 100 percent property tax abatement from the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority. Parking will be provided in a garage below the building.

The Hotel Indigo is expected to open in September 2018.

It’s one of several hotel projects underway in downtown and the Crossroads including a soon-to-open Hilton2Suites at 20th and Main. Construction also is underway on a Hampton Inn at 16th and Main, and an Aparium Hotel at 2101-07 Central.

Abbott believes the Indigo will do fine, despite all the new hotel rooms in the works in the area.

“We’re 150 percent confident..it’s a need that’s not being met,” he said.