Traction Yards is the new brand and vision for the redevelopment of the former Circle Centre Mall in downtown Indianapolis. The project transforms the traditional enclosed mall into a modern, mixed-use, open-air district featuring retail, dining, residences, offices, public gathering spaces, and year-round entertainment.
Like many enclosed malls across the country, Circle Centre faced declining foot traffic and shifting consumer behavior. Redevelopment allows the site to evolve into a vibrant, walkable, mixed-use destination that reflects the needs and lifestyle of today’s urban community.
Hendricks Commercial Properties (HCP) is spearheading the redevelopment, working closely with the City of Indianapolis, design partners, and community stakeholders. HCP is the developer behind pivotal Indianapolis projects like Ironworks Keystone and Bottleworks District.
The vision is to create a dynamic, 24/7 district where people can live, work, dine, shop, and gather. Traction Yards will bring new life to the heart of downtown through outdoor plazas, dining, entertainment, residential, and reimagined public spaces.
The redevelopment will introduce:
400,000 SF of retail, restaurant, entertainment, and activated street-level space
100,000 SF of modern office space
300+ residential units
Extensive outdoor public plazas, green areas, and event-ready public spaces
A more open, pedestrian-friendly street grid replacing the enclosed mall structure
In the early 1900s, Indianapolis was one of the most connected cities in America – thanks to its extensive electric rail system. At the center of it all stood the Traction Terminal Building, a monumental structure that served as the hub for interurban travel across the region. The word “traction” comes from the electric railways themselves – where power delivered directly to the wheels created the grip, or traction, needed to propel the cars forward. At its peak, the Terminal was the world's largest interurban station and saw over 7 million passengers a year, linking neighborhoods, towns and ideas across the state. Though the building no longer stands, its legacy remains – in the street grid, in the spirit of movement, and now, in the name Traction Yards. This new neighborhood sits just blocks from where the Terminal once buzzed with activity. By invoking “traction,” we connect past to present. It reflects both the literal tracks that shaped the city and the cultural momentum we’re building today – through art, business, hospitality and everyday life. The word “yards” nods to both the industrial roots of the site and its reimagined purpose: a layered living space where people gather, create and recharge. This is where grit meets design, where old meets new, and where the next chapter of downtown Indy gets written – on the same ground where generations once moved the city forward.
Traction Yards introduces walkable streets, outdoor gathering spaces, public art, lively storefronts, and everyday activation shifting downtown from an event-centric district to an active, lived-in neighborhood.
Yes. The open-air design, enhanced lighting, modernized pathways, increased residential presence, and street-level activity all contribute to a safer, more welcoming environment.The property will be fully accessible and monitored by on-site security.
Hendricks Commercial Properties continues to collaborate with city officials, local organizations, and Indianapolis residents to ensure the project aligns with community needs. Public engagement and feedback opportunities are ongoing.
By transforming an outdated retail model into a thriving, mixed-use urban district, Indy strengthens its downtown vitality, economic competitiveness, and appeal to residents, businesses, and visitors.
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