Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis
Encyclopedia
Massachusetts Avenue, or simply "Mass Ave", is one of six designated cultural districts
in Indianapolis, Indiana
. It is located just a few blocks northeast of Monument Circle. Massachusetts Avenue was one of the four original diagonal streets of downtown Indianapolis in Alexander Ralston's
plan of 1821. Today it lies at the heart of the city's arts district. It offers some of the city's most visible theaters and art galleries as well as a number of shops and eateries.
Gentrification
in the 1990s propelled the area from squalor
to one of the city's more fashionable addresses. Currently, redevelopment of Mass Ave focuses on fostering locally-owned shops, theaters, and restaurants.
This city also held the 1992 Mass. Ave fall festival.
Many notable buildings are located in the district:
Indianapolis Cultural Districts
Indianapolis has six designated neighborhoods as Cultural Districts: Broad Ripple Village, Massachusetts Avenue, Fountain Square, the Wholesale District, the Canal & White River State Park, and Indiana Avenue.-Broad Ripple Village:...
in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. It is located just a few blocks northeast of Monument Circle. Massachusetts Avenue was one of the four original diagonal streets of downtown Indianapolis in Alexander Ralston's
Alexander Ralston
Alexander Ralston was one of two co-architects for the design of the city of Indianapolis, Indiana.-Life:Alexander Ralston was born in Scotland in 1771. In Britain he was engineer working for the Baron of Roslin on his estate before immigrating to the United States after the American Revolution...
plan of 1821. Today it lies at the heart of the city's arts district. It offers some of the city's most visible theaters and art galleries as well as a number of shops and eateries.
Gentrification
Gentrification
Gentrification and urban gentrification refer to the changes that result when wealthier people acquire or rent property in low income and working class communities. Urban gentrification is associated with movement. Consequent to gentrification, the average income increases and average family size...
in the 1990s propelled the area from squalor
Squalor
Squalor was a 4 issue limited series published by First Comics which ran from December 1989 through March 1990. It was created by Stefan Petrucha and Tom Sutton . The covers for each issue were painted by Jeffrey K...
to one of the city's more fashionable addresses. Currently, redevelopment of Mass Ave focuses on fostering locally-owned shops, theaters, and restaurants.
This city also held the 1992 Mass. Ave fall festival.
Many notable buildings are located in the district:
- AthenæumAthenæum (Das Deutsche Haus)The Athenæum, originally named Das Deutsche Haus , is the most ornate and best-preserved building affiliated with the German American community of Indianapolis. Once used as a German American turnverein and clubhouse, it currently houses many groups, organizations, and businesses...
: building houses the American Cabaret Theatre and the RathskellerRathskellerRatskeller is a name in German-speaking countries for a bar or restaurant located in the basement of a city hall or nearby...
Restaurant, the city's oldest restaurant still in operation. - Murat CentreMurat CentreThe Murat Shrine, now officially known as Old National Centre and originally known as the Murat Temple and Murat Centre, is an entertainment venue in Indianapolis, Indiana, owned by the Murat Shriners of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine...
: is the headquarters of the Indianapolis Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.