16 Tech brands signature properties of innovation district

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) — The 16 Tech Innovation District, which is being developed on the near west side of Indianapolis, has unveiled three brands to help showcase the 50-acre property.

Developers say the brands feature distinct signature aspects of the development.

Sitting at the heart of the district will be the 100,000-square-foot innovation hub. It will be known as HqO, which reflects the name of the existing building on the property that was once the headquarters of the Indianapolis Water Company.

HqO will house a makerspace, an artisan marketplace and another workspace.

“The name reinforces the physical location of 16 Tech at the confluence of the White River and Fall Creek and supports the hub’s purpose as the district’s central gathering place,” said Bob Coy, president and chief executive officer of the 16 Tech Community Corp. “It’s also a play on the chemical formula for water (H2O), which is the most essential resource for life.”

The maker space inside the HQ will be known as Machyne. Coy says that is where members will be able to brainstorm on ideas, equipment and knowledge.

The artisan marketplace is branded the AMP, a 40,000-square-feet space featuring fresh food and produce from local retailers and artisans. It will also include seven restaurant stalls, a full-service restaurant, and a culinary incubator.

“It will be a dynamic experience and a new destination for Indianapolis residents,” said Craig Baker, local chef who will operate the AMP.

16 Tech will host a virtual ribbon-cutting next week to celebrate the completed construction of Innovation Building 1.

As part of the celebration, the team at Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick will be on location for the event, speaking to leadership and new tenants about the district. That special edition of the program will air the weekend of August 7.