The downtown Indianapolis hotel where former boxer Mike Tyson raped a beauty pageant contestant is reopening with a new name and a new look. The former Canterbury Hotel is now Le Méridien Indianapolis. The poshly renovated space features a full-service bar where drinks are served near a French bossa nova band, a 160-seat restaurant, a coffee house referred to as a “gathering place for creative minds,” five meeting rooms, plus access to the Circle Centre Mall and the Indiana Convention Center. A $13-million renovation of the building began in January.
Tyson was convicted of raping Desiree Washington, 18, in room 606 of the luxury hotel in July of 1991. Washington, who held the title of Miss Black Rhode Island, was a contestant in the Miss Black America beauty pageant which was hosted by Indiana Black Expo that year. Despite his rape conviction, Tyson never admitted to raping Washington. He served his time at the youth center of the Indiana Reception Diagnostic Center in Plainfield and was released in March of 1995. He’s currently acting and undertaking comedic endeavors.
The hotel’s name change closes yet another door on this interesting piece of Indiana black history.
To read the about the infamous case and its connection to Indy’s historic Canterbury Hotel, click HERE.
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