INDIANAPOLIS Today, Boxcar Development, an entity controlled by Herb Simon, and Opry Entertainment Group announce that Ole Red – the bar, restaurant and live music venue inspired by Opry member Blake Shelton – is coming to downtown Indianapolis.  The new 37,000 square foot multi-level location is found in the heart of the Fieldhouse District at 231-235 S. Meridian Street. The venue, which is projected to open in late 2027, sits just blocks from the new Ritz-Carlton Indianapolis, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and other downtown entertainment amenities.

Shelton and Colin Reed, Executive Chairman of Opry Entertainment Group (OEG) parent company Ryman Hospitality Properties, joined the Simon family and local leaders Wednesday morning to announce the partnership between Boxcar Development, LLC, an entity controlled by Herb Simon, and OEG.

“Indianapolis is a market we have admired for some time, and we are thrilled to have a like-minded partner who shares our vision and is helping lead the continued evolution of the downtown entertainment district,” said Reed. “We look forward to expanding the Ole Red brand and creating a best-in-class entertainment and hospitality destination for the Indianapolis community.”

Inspired by Shelton’s 2001 hit by the same name, Ole Red combines a made-from-scratch, Shelton-inspired food and drink menu with a concert-quality live music experience.  OEG has opened other Ole Red locations in Nashville, Las Vegas, Orlando, Gatlinburg, and in Shelton’s hometown of Tishomingo, Oklahoma. The proposed Indianapolis site will include a main dining area, an indoor bar, and two performance stages, as well as a covered rooftop bar overlooking downtown.

Of the announcement, Blake Shelton shares, “Man, the energy in this place is just unreal. Every time I come through, I catch myself thinking up reasons to hang around a little longer. You put a city together that loves sports and country music this much, well, that’s about as good as it gets for me. Here we come Indy!”

Ole Red represents an important investment by a globally recognized brand in a downtown entertainment district anchored by Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Fieldhouse, which plays host to more than 2 million visitors and more than 500 events and meetings each year, is Indiana’s most popular live events venue, and the economic activity it continues to generate in the downtown has already helped make the Circle City one of the nation’s leading convention, sports tourism, and hospitality destinations.

Opry Entertainment Group will also join the Fieldhouse Media Network, announced last month, and become marketing partners of the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever.

“Partnerships and investments around Gainbridge Fieldhouse, just like this one, are exciting steps as we create one of the most bold and ambitious sports-anchored entertainment districts in the country ” said Simon. “We are proud to partner with Opry Entertainment Group and Ryman Hospitality Properties to bring this world-class brand to downtown.”

Earlier this year, Boxcar Development announced plans for the Ritz-Carlton Indianapolis and Live Nation event venue at the corner of Pennsylvania and Georgia Streets, while other major projects, including the Indiana Fever Performance Center, the Signia Hotel by Hilton, and the expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, are already underway. Other projects, like the Circle Centre Mall redevelopment into Traction Yards and downtown investments by Indiana University and Purdue University, are anticipated in the coming years, as well. Taken together, billions of dollars of new investment have been committed to create new retail, culinary, live entertainment, commercial, and hospitality offerings in the Fieldhouse District.

Construction on the Ole Red Indy venue through a sensitive restoration of the historic façade is set to begin later this year. Partners on the project include Woolpert Architects, Gilliatte General Contractors, T.M. Crowley & Associates, Lake City Bank, and the City of Indianapolis.