HI-FI Expansion
Construction Begins August 2026 | Opening Night August 2027
A transformative investment in Indianapolis’ independent music community and the continued growth of Fountain Square.
Follow the Project Building the Next Chapter
For more than a decade, HI-FI has helped shape Indianapolis’ independent music community and has become an integral part of Fountain Square’s evolution into one of the city’s most vibrant arts and entertainment districts.
HI-FI will remain open during construction and continue operating with its regular concert schedule.
The HI-FI Expansion is a transformational investment that builds on everything that has made HI-FI a destination for artists and music fans while creating new opportunities for live music, community programming, and economic development that will further strengthen Fountain Square as a cultural destination.
Supported in part by a $1 million READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Grant through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, with SEND (Southeast Neighborhood Development) serving as fiscal agent, along with a significant investment from Deylen Realty and the support of private investors, corporate partners, and community stakeholders, the project represents a major investment in Indianapolis’ creative economy and quality of place.
With the majority of funding now secured, the HI-FI Expansion is entering its final phase of project financing ahead of an anticipated construction start in August 2026
Now, we’re building the next chapter.
Awarded a $1 Million
READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Grant
Selected by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to strengthen Indiana’s creative economy, quality of place, and long-term economic growth.
Project at a Glance
3
Connected Venues
1,850
Combined Capacity
65,000+
New Annual Visitors
August
2026
2026
Construction Begins
August
2027
2027
Opening Night
The Vision
The HI-FI Expansion will transform the first floor of the Murphy Arts Center into a connected three-venue entertainment destination designed to support artists at every stage of their careers while creating new opportunities for live music, community programming, tourism, and economic development.
550 Capacity
HI-FI
Our flagship venue will expand to approximately 550 capacity through the permanent integration of the former Easy Rider space. The expansion preserves the intimate concert experience audiences have come to expect while providing additional capacity, improved guest amenities, and enhanced production capabilities.
200 Capacity
LO-FI
The LO-FI will relocate to the first floor of the Murphy Arts Center, creating a dedicated 200-capacity venue for emerging artists, local performances, comedy, private events, community programming, and creative experiences.
1,100 Capacity
New Performance Hall
A new, state-of-the-art 1,100-capacity performance hall will create a permanent home for many of the larger concerts and events currently presented by HI-FI. Purpose-built for today’s touring artists, the venue will allow us to present programming year-round in a controlled environment while significantly expanding opportunities for artists and audiences alike.
By transitioning many seasonal outdoor events indoors, the expansion will eliminate weather-related challenges, extend the concert calendar through every season, and generate an estimated 65,000 additional annual visitors to Fountain Square, particularly during the traditionally quieter months of November through April.
One Connected Experience
A defining feature of the HI-FI Expansion is bringing all three venues together into a single, connected entertainment destination.
Today, each venue operates independently, with entrances located on different sides of the Murphy Arts Center. While each space has developed its own identity, navigating between venues has never been seamless for guests or staff.
The expansion introduces a new interior corridor connecting every venue on one level, creating a unified guest experience while improving accessibility, artist hospitality, production, security, and daily operations.
The connected layout also unlocks new opportunities for multi-stage festivals, conferences, private events, and community gatherings. Signature events like Chreece, POST. Festival, and Tonic Ball will be able to activate multiple venues simultaneously while giving fans the freedom to move easily throughout the property.
Today, each venue operates independently, with entrances located on different sides of the Murphy Arts Center. While each space has developed its own identity, navigating between venues has never been seamless for guests or staff.
The expansion introduces a new interior corridor connecting every venue on one level, creating a unified guest experience while improving accessibility, artist hospitality, production, security, and daily operations.
The connected layout also unlocks new opportunities for multi-stage festivals, conferences, private events, and community gatherings. Signature events like Chreece, POST. Festival, and Tonic Ball will be able to activate multiple venues simultaneously while giving fans the freedom to move easily throughout the property.
Project Timeline
July 2026
Final Funding
& READI Award
August 2026
Phase 1
HI-FI Flagship Expansion
September 2026
Phase 2
New Performance Hall & LO-FI Construction
August 2027
Opening Night
Doors open
A Significant Milestone
$1M
READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Grant
The HI-FI Expansion recently reached a major milestone with the award of a $1 million READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Grant through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Selected through a competitive statewide process, the project was recognized for its ability to strengthen Indiana’s creative economy, enhance quality of place, preserve historic assets, and drive long-term economic growth.
The READI award, combined with private investment, corporate partnerships, and community support, has positioned the project to move forward and begin construction as final project financing is completed.
Selected through a competitive statewide process, the project was recognized for its ability to strengthen Indiana’s creative economy, enhance quality of place, preserve historic assets, and drive long-term economic growth.
The READI award, combined with private investment, corporate partnerships, and community support, has positioned the project to move forward and begin construction as final project financing is completed.
Project Partners
The HI-FI Expansion is made possible through stage and local programs, philanthropic contributions, private investment, corporate partnerships and community support.
We are grateful for the organizations and individuals helping bring this vision to life.
We are grateful for the organizations and individuals helping bring this vision to life.
IEDC
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
READI
2.0
Arts & Culture Initiative
Deylen
REALTY
Development Partner
Cambri
BUILDERS
General Contractor
SEND
Southeast Neighborhood Development
FSNA
Fountain Square Neighborhood Association
FFDA
Fountain Fletcher District Association
NIVA
NATIONAL INDEPENDENT VENUE ASSOCIATION
.
Follow the Expansion
Be there from day one.
We’ll continue sharing construction updates, project milestones, behind-the-scenes progress, and partnership announcements as the HI-FI Expansion moves toward Opening Night in August 2027.
Construction updates, milestones, and Opening Night news — nothing else.
Connect with us
Venue & Media Contact
Josh Baker – jb@mokbpresents.com
Booking & Programming
Dan Kemer – dk@mokbpresents.com