Indianapolis Artsgarden

The Indianapolis Artsgarden is a seven-story glass dome of glass and steel in downtown Indianapolis that spans across two major streets. The structure connects multiple surrounding buildings through elevated walkways and creates a continuous covered passage.

The structure was built in 1995 as a project funded by the Lilly Endowment. It was created to connect the nearby Circle Centre Mall with surrounding downtown buildings and improve urban connectivity.

The events held here reflect the local art scene, with regular concerts and exhibitions that bring the interior to life. Visitors can regularly encounter works by artists from the region displayed throughout the space.

The building sits about 17 feet above street level and connects to hotels, offices, and shopping areas through multiple elevated walkways. Visitors should know that this functions as a covered passage spanning two city blocks, making it useful for moving through downtown in any weather.

The roof is supported by two pairs of 185-foot steel beams that run diagonally across the intersection, holding up the entire glass enclosure above traffic below. This technically complex engineering solution allowed for a clear interior span with no support columns getting in the way.