Officials mark major milestone in development of new Westin hotel

“The original plans for the Midfield Terminal complex included a terminal-connected hotel, and through the years we’ve proceeded with careful and strategic planning to ensure the right build at the right time to increase the value of the airport to the public and increase our contribution to the Central Indiana economic landscape,” said Mario Rodriguez, IAA executive director.

City officials and community leaders joined Rodriguez and IAA Board President Barbara Glass in the ceremonial shovel event, signifying the hotel development is officially underway. Approximately 200 guests from throughout the city attended the event and received ceremonial vials of dirt to mark the occasion. Rodriguez said the new hotel will serve as “the front door to the front door,” welcoming travelers from around the globe to the Best Airport in North America — and surrounding them with the world-class customer experience the Indy airport is known for.

Glass said that in addition to the elegance and grandeur the hotel will add to the terminal campus, it will also deliver an economic impact.

“The hotel will help cement the Indy airport’s reputation as ‘The Best Airport in North America’ for decades to come,” said Glass. “This hotel will not only be an iconic addition to the airport, but it’s the biggest investment directly benefiting the traveling public since the new terminal itself was built, and it will also be a revenue and job generator for Indianapolis.”

In February, the IAA board approved the project and respective contracts, setting the project budget at $205.8 million and ratifying the project for bond funding. Over the past four years, the IAA has gone through iterations of financial analysis and then fully designed the hotel to have a detailed budget to design, build, inspect, furnish and operate the hotel.

Elegant design with customer-experience top of mind

The Westin Indianapolis Airport hotel will feature 253 guest rooms, along with a full-service restaurant, serving three meals per day, a fitness center, a 7th-floor bar and lounge area, an approximate 10,000 square-foot meeting space, a pedestrian passage through the hotel to the airport garage, and hotel-specific parking with valet option. Hotel guests who also join the Marriott Bonvoy program, which is a free-to-join loyalty program, can experience benefits like free Wi-Fi, discounted rates, and the ability to earn points toward free nights and other rewards.

With approximately one-third of passengers flying out of the Indy airport before 9 a.m. and coming off record-breaking passenger traffic, this new hotel will give weary travelers a convenient overnight option to save time before their early morning flight, with elevated amenities compared to a 45-minute to an hour drive.

Construction Underway

Construction of the new hotel has begun. Currently, the construction barricade fencing is transformed into a playful art exhibit, thanks to the creative talents of Greenfield artist and Red Nose Studio founder Chris Sickels. Key milestones in the coming weeks also include rerouting the pedestrian pathways from the Park & Walk and employee parking lots.

CSO, Inc., developed the construction drawings for the hotel, which included architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and interior design services. Shiel Sexton Company, Inc., developed the construction program and guaranteed maximum price. Wischermann Partners, Inc. is the hotel operator and assisted CSO’s design team with overall programming of the hotel.

“We are looking forward to becoming an integral part of the world-class Indianapolis airport travel experience,” said Paul Wischermann, president and chief executive officer of Wischermann Partners. “We both share a relentless commitment to excellence, human connection and guest experience.”

The IAA anticipates the new Westin Indianapolis Airport hotel will be completed in December 2027.