Five years later, the project that reshaped downtown Fishers is complete

After more than five years, the final piece of a $157 million development on 116th Street in Fishers reshaping downtown is complete.

Hotel Nickel Plate, a 116-room boutique hotel developed by Browning Real Estate Partners and Dora Hotel Company , opened last week next to the Nickel Plate Trail. The five-story building is part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton with a fitness center, free parking and regular room rates between $200 and $285.

Dora President Tim Dora described the hotel in a news release as a “home away from home.”

The hotel has a first-floor restaurant and bar, Derailed at Nickel Plate Hotel, described as “upscale but casual” with a fire pit on an outdoor deck overlooking the trail.  A small shop, the Whistle Stop, sells specialty soaps, oils and candles, plus Nickel Plate branded items.

More: As State Road 37 project nears restart at 141st Street, some Fishers shops hang by thread

Dora Vice President Chris Dora said the hotel is designed to encourage guests to enjoy the ambiance of the trail.

“Our space invites our hotel guests and our community to explore engage and most importantly escape,” he said in the news release.

Plans for the hotel were announced in 2018 in a project that included the 6-story First Internet Bank , also on the south side of 116th Street, and a 237-room mixed-use apartment complex on the north side of 116th Street.

The development was built in concert with the Nickel Plate Trail but the hotel was delayed for two years because of a jump in construction costs during the coronavirus pandemic

Since then Fishers has approved several other large residential and commercial projects downtown, as well as a new city hall still under construction, that will double as the city’s arts center across the street from the hotel.

To make room for the Browning project the city acquired or razed long-time businesses such as Archer's Meat & Catering and the Nickel Plate Bar & Grill, in a lot where a Café Patachou is expected to open soon.

Other businesses that have opened or soon will near the Nickel Pate Trail include:

• Crave Cookies
• Le Macaron French Pastries
• The Well Coffeehouse
• Java House
• Samano’s Mexican Food
• Agave Bar & Grill
• Another Broken Egg Café
• King Jugg's Brewery
• Tiburon Coastal Cuisine
• Max & Tilly's
• Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

C all IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418. Email at john.tuohy@indystar.com and follow on X/ Twitter and Facebook .

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Five years later, the project that reshaped downtown Fishers is complete