The long-time upscale eatery The Glass Chimney has sat vacant since 2011. But now a well-known restaurant will finally take its place. Bru Burger Bar, a Massachusetts Avenue establishment specializing in gourmet burgers, is planning a July opening for the former space.
Cunningham Restaurant Group tells Current in Carmel that they are demolishing the old building at 12901 Old Meridian St. – a unique looking structure that’s around 6,000 square feet – and constructing something similar in size. There will be ample outdoor dining at for the new building.
Jon Jessup, of Summit Realty, has told Current that they’ve been looking for a suitable use for the former site for years. It was previously thought that affordable housing could be built on that land. There was a plan on the table to construct apartments with one-bedroom rents ranging from $251-$515 per month, and two-bedroom rents ranging from $308-$633 per month. But that idea fell through and Summit Realty switched gears. His company still owns part of the building, but Cunningham Restaurant Group purchased a majority ownership of the property.
“The old structure was just obsolete,” Jessup said. “We are going to keep the existing footprint. The design has been approved by Carmel, so it should fit with the area.”
Cunningham Restaurant Group has expanded its presence in Indianapolis in recent years. Locally, the company owns and operates restaurants such as Mesh, Union 50 and Stone Creek Dining co., which has a location in Carmel. Bru Burger Bar also has a location in Lexington, Ky. but this will be the second location in Indiana and third overall.
Items on Bru Burger’s menu include unique toppings for burgers, including ahi tuna, shaved brussel sprouts, truffle aioli, carrot-ginger slaw, spinach and cucumber sauce.
“The food is really good, there’s a line out the door for their other location,” Jessup said. “I know there are other good burger places around town but this place is going to have a big parking lot and a great atmosphere.”
Jessup said the location is ideal, considering new construction planned near Old Meridian, including an $80 million mixed use development from Edward Rose called The District. Keystone Construction Group is also working on a nearby mixed-used development called Olivia on Main. The nearby Meijer will also get a facelift soon and a women’s health center from St. Vincent Hospitals is in the works.
