History at the Heart of Bottleworks Hotel
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Bottleworks Hotel in downtown Indianapolis is officially open. The hotel is the first big milestone in the massive, $300 million mixed-use development at the former Coca-Cola bottling plant on Mass Ave. After months of renovations, the hotel highlights the building’s nearly 90-year history and also emphasizes support for local businesses throughout the Indianapolis area.
It was 1931 and James Yunker and his brother Lee embarked upon what was billed as the finest bottling plant in the country.
Despite the United States suffering through the Great Depression, the Yunker brothers defied the odds to construct perhaps the most beautiful Coca-Cola complex ever built. From its glistening white terra cotta exterior and ornate art deco-style interior, the brothers quickly began to grow a booming business.
“They were able to expand more than doubling its size from Massachusetts Avenue up to 10th Street,” said Jonathan Webster, vice president of lodging for Geronimo Hospitality Group.
By 1950, the facility was the largest bottling operation of its kind, producing more than 2 million bottles of Coca-Cola per week.
“This was the largest bottling facility in the world,” said Webster.
Now, nearly 70 years later, it’s part of a rebirth that will mean jobs, investment and increased vitality for the popular Indianapolis neighborhood.
“For decades, this property was not accessible,” said Webster. “We worked with Indiana Landmarks to tell a bit of the story of this building. The address was on Massachusetts Avenue, which is where the main entrance is, which is now our lobby.”
When guests arrive in their rooms, they will find a little bit of Indy throughout.
“You’ll see Best Chocolate in Town, located just across the street from the hotel. We also have Broad Ripple Chip Co. Our beds were manufactured in Plainfield by Tempur Sealy. Our Bluetooth speakers, available in every guest room, are Klipsch. So we’re loving to support local and really embrace all things Indiana.”
As the Bottleworks District embarks upon the largest private development in Indiana’s history amid a pandemic, one can almost see the parallels with what the Yunker brothers did so many years before during the Great Depression.
“We’ve been very lucky. Obviously, construction continued through the pandemic, so we have some great local contractors, regional contractors, just very skilled tradesmen,” said Webster. “Our industry has been hit pretty hard through the pandemic, but we’re excited to open our doors to showcase what hospitality is in Indiana and bring something new to the city.”
Another major part of the Bottleworks District is preparing to welcome its first guests. The Garage food hall, which will feature a variety of local food and beverage options, is set to open next month.