We’re getting a little excited around the office this week, with the Grand Opening of Marsh at Axis just a few days away. As the Indianapolis Star highlighted today, Marsh will open a 42,000-square-foot, grocery at Axis in downtown Indianapolis on Thursday, May 15, 2014 that will serve as a new prototype, flagship store. The grand opening activities will begin at 9am with comments from Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard before the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“We are excited to have Marsh opening to new customers, many of whom will be Axis residents,” said David Flaherty, CEO of Flaherty & Collins Properties, who developed and constructed the Axis project. “This incredible store will serve as an anchor to Axis and the downtown area for many years to come. We are pleased that Marsh chose Flaherty & Collins and Axis to develop this concept. The project has been such a positive experience from a partnership and teamwork perspective between Marsh and our construction team.”

The new design for the store is the first of its kind in the nation and features extra space for produce, meats and a bakery. The store features top-quality meats and seafood, fresh produce and an expansive deli section. The bakery touts fresh-baked breads, cakes and pastries, as well as numerous beer and wine selections, with labels from local brew masters and vintners.

In addition, Marsh offers an extensive salad bar and other prepared meals for carry-out purchase or for enjoyment in the store’s mezzanine-level dining area. This café mezzanine area features free WiFi and the availability to order food from a kiosk in a lounge-like atmosphere, then pick-up from the main level.

Marsh is the first component of Axis to open, with luxury residential units to come this summer. Developed and constructed by Flaherty & Collins Properties, Axis is a mixed-use, multifamily development featuring 330 luxury apartments and more than 25,000 square feet of exterior amenity space.

In addition to Marsh, residents of Axis will have an amazing array of living and entertainment options in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, including a sixth floor Sky Bar with incredible views of the skyline, 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness club, indoor and outdoor yoga and Pilates studios, a resort-style pool with sundeck, outdoor grilling stations, a Zen garden with fire pit, study lounges, billiards and gaming lounges and a pet walk.

Flaherty & Collins Vice President of Development, Jim Crossin noted that Axis is already experiencing great interest. “Pre-leasing is going quickly,” he said. Crossin noted that prospective residents will find apartment features that include granite countertops, Roman soaking tubs, wood-style flooring, stainless steel appliances, 9-foot ceilings and ceramic tile floors.