To respond to the increased demand for hotel accommodation in Indianapolis due to visitors at the convention center, the new Lucas Oil Stadium, and nearby museums and businesses, the JW Marriott hotel was designed with careful siting in mind. The hotel is a 30-story tower clad in blue, jewel-like glass rising above a four-story podium to create a modern landmark. Despite its size, design of this new structure is sensitive to the pedestrian scale. It draws, contextually, upon its proximity to the old downtown area through its use of multi-colored masonry and Indiana limestone at the base. The form and color of the tower recall the nearby White River.

The building also features retail and restaurant spaces along the street level for pedestrian activity and tree-planted arrival courts. A pedestrian skybridge provides a direct connection to the Indiana Convention Center and a unique tension-trussed entry canopy further enhances the guests’ experience.