Amy Bartner

amy.bartner@indystar.com

The owner of St. Elmo Steak House will open an upscale Ivy League-themed burger restaurant in the Circle Centre mall in 2017 on Georgia Street between Illinois and Meridian streets.

Burger Study, a "full-service, adult-oriented" hamburger restaurant, will be on the first floor of the mall between Harry & Izzy's steakhouse and the new Punch Bowl Social restaurant. It will have both an interior entrance from the mall and an opening to Georgia Street.

"There’s really not anything like that in the central business district," St. Elmo owner Craig Huse said. "You have to go to Mass Ave., really, for a better burger."

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The 5,000-square-foot restaurant will have seating for 136 people and an additional 60 seats split between an outdoor patio on Georgia Street and an indoor seating area by the entrance.

"It's important for me, just being a resident of Indianapolis and an Indianapolis restaurateur, that we have local, independent restaurants Downtown," Huse said. "I'm excited to be able to provide a restaurant that helps give the city character."

Burger Study will serve variations on its Harry & Izzy's prime steakburger, as well as tuna and vegetarian burgers in the $9 to $14 range.

"We prioritize quality over price," Huse said, adding that he is still developing the menu and that it might include a "super premium grind" burger for a higher price.

You won't see the famous St. Elmo shrimp cocktail on the menu, though.

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Huse tentatively is shooting for a May 2017 opening. Although he'd like to be open for the Indianapolis 500 on May 28, he won't rush an opening to capture one weekend of business.

"We're in it for the long haul," he said.

Huse now owns nearly a quarter-block of restaurants and bars at Illinois and Georgia streets: the 114-year-old St. Elmo and the attached 5-year-old 1933 Lounge (both at 127 S. Illinois St.) and the 10-year-old Harry & Izzy's (153 S. Illinois St.).

"We're comfortable with what is needed and what works in that area," he said. "I've got a pretty good handle on that block."

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Even with a concept different from Huse's other restaurants, the Burger Study will feel familiar: The servers will wear uniforms similar to those at the other eateries, and its interior will be designed by Bill Aumiller, the Chicago architect who designed Harry & Izzy's.

"We don't open a bunch of new restaurants, so I like hiring a specialist in restaurant design and functionality," Huse said of Aumiller.

Call IndyStar reporter Amy Bartner at (317) 444-6752. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.