District Summary:
Massachusetts Avenue is one of the city's oldest and most treasured areas. The street runs "diagonal" by comparison to the standard city grid, because it was one of four original main streets radiating outward from Monument Circle, the center of the city.
Today, the street is known as a hotbed for theater, including both locally produced shows scattered throughout several independent playhouses in the area, and Broadway touring companies playing primarily at the famed Murat Center
The area is affectionately called "Mass Ave" by locals, and it is one of Indianapolis' six designated cultural districts.
Location:
Mass Ave is located, believe it or not, on Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Indianapolis.
It begins at the major intersection between E. New York and N. Delaware Streets.
Click here for a map of Mass Ave.
The Murat Center:
The Murat Center and Theater, pictured at the top of this profile, is one of Indianapolis' most interesting buildings.
It was originally designed over a century ago, in 1906, to act as a Shrine, and its architecture was modeled after that of an Islamic Mosque.
In 1996, however, the Shrine was renovated and converted into the Murat Center, containing several theaters, including the popular "Egyptian Room" concert hall. It became an instant success as a theater destination, and has since become Indianapolis' premiere destination for stage shows.
Click here for ticket information.