Housing

The key to a great downtown is having it active and pulsating on a 24-hour basis, and the key to a vibrant 24-hour downtown is people living downtown; people of all ages, incomes, races, and lifestyles.  Just a few years ago, this was not the case in downtown Louisville.  However, as part of the Downtown Development Plan process in 2002, new downtown residential development became a high priority of our Downtown Plan, and with a number of innovative mechanisms developed to stimulate more downtown housing, the downtown housing landscape has changed dramatically since that time.  In the past five years, over 700 new downtown residential units have been developed, with an additional 1200 housing units in the development pipeline.  An update of the DDC’s residential market analysis conducted in the spring of 2005 set a reachable goal of 4,600 new housing units completed by the end of this decade, with a projected absorption of 600 units per year. 

The focus and task now is to move from individual residential buildings to neighborhoods.  This is evident in the East Main and Market Street district, the West Main Street/Glassworks District, the Waterfront Park area and along Broadway.  Emerging areas, such as South of Broadway and Shippingport, will be the next areas of focus.

Downtown and In-Town Housing Developments

The Henry Clay

Located at the southwest corner of Third and Chestnut Streets, this $20 million rehabilitation of the old YWCA elegantly restores one of the city’s most grand historic buildings.

The lower floors will house commercial and event space. The Grand Ballroom and the Elks Room will be preserved and renovated to their former glory. Also available to the public will be a two-story rooftop garden carved out of the fourth and fifth floors. Upper floors in the building will provide 70 units of residential space encompassing both rental and for sale units.

The project also includes property that extends east to Fourth Street, which will become a public piazza, and the historic Wright-Taylor Building on Fourth Street, which will contain a new downtown restaurant.

The Henry Clay is being developed by: http://www.citypropertiesgroup.com/

Mercantile Lofts

This $10 million adaptive reuse project will convert three historic buildings into 47 condominiums and retail space.

Located at 301-311 E. Market Street, this location has moved from being a diamond in the rough to an up-and-coming revitalized hotspot, due to the recent investments in Waterfront Park and Slugger Field.

Mercantile  Lofts includes 56 parking spaces in an adjoining garage. http://www.mercantilelofts.com/template.php?content=home

Fleur-de-Lis on Main

This $28 million project is a 5-story building with 82 condominiums and retail space. The design includes two interior courtyards and underground parking. The design includes two interior courtyards, underground parking, and a gallery related to the history of the site.

Located across the street from Louisville Slugger Field, this project is part of $150 million in new investment as a result of the popular ballpark and newly revitalized East Market Street arts district. http://www.fleurdelisonmain.com/

Liberty Green

The transformation of the former Clarksdale Public Housing project into a mixed-income, mixed-use urban neighborhood is taking shape. The project at its completion will include over 700 residential units – rental and for-sale – and will offer varied styles from traditional apartments to town homes and condominiums. http://www.libertygreenhomes.com/