Indianapolis’ Circle Centre Mall continues its transformation, and a recent legal dispute with one of its tenants has been resolved. Coworking company COhatch will remain in its downtown Indianapolis location after settling a lease dispute with property owner Hendricks Commercial Properties, averting an eviction that could have further complicated the mall’s redevelopment plans.
The dispute centered around roughly $180,000 in unpaid rent, according to a lawsuit filed earlier this month. Hendricks Commercial Properties sued Columbus, Ohio-based COhatch, alleging non-payment. However, a spokesperson for COhatch confirmed Friday that the matter has been successfully settled, allowing the company to continue operating at its 9,600-square-foot space near the intersection of Illinois and Washington streets. The resolution includes the dismissal of the lawsuit and the termination request, according to COhatch spokesperson Janet Brumfield.
As of Monday afternoon, the case in Marion Superior Court still showed a “pending” designation, with no motion to dismiss yet filed publicly. Settlement details between private parties are typically not released, and COhatch did not disclose the terms of its agreement with Hendricks Commercial Properties.
A Pattern of Rent Disputes at Circle Centre
COhatch is not the first tenant at Circle Centre to face eviction proceedings over unpaid rent since 2024. The company has operated at the mall for five years, opening its doors in 2022 after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It took over a space previously occupied by Granite City Food & Brewery. Hendricks Commercial Properties has pursued legal action against multiple tenants, signaling financial challenges for some businesses within the struggling mall. Last year, the property owner filed suit against Punch Bowl Social, alleging more than $650,000 in unpaid rent since June 2025.
In addition to COhatch, four individuals – Chris Watkins, Tammy Watkins, John Watkins, and Dinah Chong Watkins – were named in the lawsuit as guarantors of the company’s lease, accused of failing to meet payment requirements.
The Traction Yards Redevelopment
The legal challenges come as Hendricks Commercial Properties prepares for a massive $600 million redevelopment of the former Circle Centre Mall, rebranded as Traction Yards. The project aims to transform the downtown space into a two-block district, with the first phase focusing on the area bounded by Maryland, Meridian, Georgia, and Illinois streets.
The ongoing tenant disputes raise questions about the pace and potential hurdles of the redevelopment. Whereas Hendricks moves forward with its ambitious plans, maintaining a stable tenant base during the transition will be crucial.
COhatch’s Broader Footprint
Despite the Indianapolis rent dispute, COhatch maintains a significant presence in the Midwest. The company currently operates 36 locations across six states, with 21 in its home state of Ohio. In the Indianapolis area, COhatch has four other locations in Marion and Hamilton counties: Zionsville, Carmel, Noblesville, and Broad Ripple. The company announced plans to open four additional locations in the area in early 2022, demonstrating its continued investment in the region.
The resolution of the lease dispute allows COhatch to continue serving its members at the Circle Centre location. The company’s continued operation provides a degree of stability as the larger redevelopment of Traction Yards progresses. The next step in the legal process is the official filing of a motion to dismiss the case in Marion Superior Court, which has not yet occurred as of Monday afternoon.
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