The three-level, 30,000 square foot dining and entertainment venue will include a basement-level vintage speakeasy, street-level high-end chophouse and seafood restaurant, and upper-level space for special occasions and private events.
First announced in April of 2022, the project includes 30,000 square feet of dining and entertainment space and will be an important addition to Bicentennial Unity Plaza adjacent to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
A high-end steakhouse featuring the best locally-sourced steaks, chops, seafood, and raw bar offerings, Commission Row will add to the exceptional culinary mix for which Indianapolis and central Indiana have become known. Cunningham, meanwhile, has become one of the region’s most successful restaurant groups, with a long track record operating many of the most celebrated and recognizable brands here and across the region.
Mel’s at Commission Row pays tribute to Melvin Simon who, together with his brother, Herb, purchased the Pacers in 1983. A businessman and philanthropist whose leadership helped turn the Pacers into a worldwide brand, Mel had a remarkable impact on the city and invested in many of the assets that built Indianapolis as a global center of commerce and culture.
A high-end steakhouse featuring the best locally-sourced steaks, chops, seafood, and raw bar offerings, Commission Row will add to the exceptional culinary mix for which Indianapolis and central Indiana have become known. Cunningham, meanwhile, has become one of the region’s most successful restaurant groups, with a long track record operating many of the most celebrated and recognizable brands here and across the region.
PS&E and Cunningham Restaurant Group Announce Commission Row, A Dining and Entertainment Complex on Bicentennial Unity Plaza
KEY POINTS:
- PS&E has partnered with Cunningham Restaurant Group to operate Commission Row, currently under construction at Bicentennial Unity Plaza to the north of Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- The three-level, 30,000 square foot dining and entertainment venue will include a basement-level vintage speakeasy, street-level high-end chophouse and seafood restaurant, and upper-level space for special occasions and private events.
- Located in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, Commission Row is a nod to Indianapolis’ ascent as an important national trade center and another critical investment in the future of the downtown.
INDIANAPOLIS – Pacers Sports & Entertainment has partnered with Indiana-based Cunningham Restaurant Group to operate Commission Row, the three-level dining and entertainment complex on Bicentennial Unity Plaza adjacent to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The project will include a basement-level speakeasy, Mel’s at Commission Row, as well as the street-level chophouse and seafood restaurant and an upper-level private event space, Above at Commission Row.
A high-end steakhouse featuring the best locally-sourced steaks, chops, seafood, and raw bar offerings, Commission Row will add to the exceptional culinary mix for which Indianapolis and central Indiana have become known. Cunningham, meanwhile, has become one of the region’s most successful restaurant groups, with a long track record operating many of the most celebrated and recognizable brands here and across the region.
Commission Row is an exciting new entertainment amenity in the heart of our city, an important addition on Bicentennial Unity Plaza that will enhance this entire quadrant of our vibrant downtown. We are thrilled about the opportunity to partner with Cunningham Restaurant Group, which operates some of the city’s best culinary offerings.
Herb Simon, PS&E Owner and Chairman
First announced in April of 2022, the project includes 30,000 square feet of dining and entertainment space and will be an important addition to Bicentennial Unity Plaza. In addition to the steakhouse, Mel’s at Commission Row, a basement speakeasy, will showcase gourmet bar-bites, a vintage ambience, and an extensive cocktail menu featuring modern twists on classic drinks, wine, and barrel-aged spirits. An upstairs special event space, Above at Commission Row, will be the perfect spot for private dinners and special occasions with a customizable menu, a separate entrance, and capacity for more than 200 guests.
“We are honored to partner with Pacers Sports & Entertainment for the Commission Row project,” said Mike Cunningham, President and CEO of Cunningham Restaurant Group. “This dining and entertainment complex will offer a culinary experience unmatched in Indianapolis market. One well suited to complement Gainbridge Fieldhouse, along with Bicentennial Unity Plaza and all that it will have to offer.”
The name Commission Row is itself a reference to the colloquial nickname first given to Delaware Street in the mid-nineteenth century, when the Wholesale District helped Indianapolis evolve into a center for trade and commerce. Delaware Street became a crossroad for farmers selling their wares to those making their way to and from the West. More recently, the Wholesale District has become recognized as a hotspot for the intersection of sports, arts, dining, and entertainment.
Mel’s at Commission Row pays tribute to Melvin Simon who, together with his brother, Herb, purchased the Pacers in 1983. A businessman and philanthropist whose leadership helped turn the Pacers into a worldwide brand, Mel had a remarkable impact on the city and invested in many of the assets that built Indianapolis as a global center of commerce and culture.
“This venue is not only a celebration of our rich history and the significance of our city as a crossroads of America, but it is also an important investment in our downtown and builds upon the excitement, energy, and momentum we feel every day throughout our downtown,” said Rick Fuson, Chief Executive Officer for Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
Commission Row is expected to be completed ahead of NBA All-Star 2024 in Indianapolis next February.
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About Cunningham Restaurant Group
Since 1997, Cunningham Restaurant Group (CRG) has been committed to creating unforgettable dining experiences. CRG owns and operates locations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Visit www.crgdining.com to see all locations, make reservations, or to explore private dining opportunities.