Adaptive Reuse in Lexington's Urban Core
Tour Description
The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation collaborated with University of Kentucky architecture and historic preservation students to highlight ten buildings in Lexington's downtown corridor embodying the architectural practice of adaptive reuse, or the renovation and reuse of pre-existing structures for new purposes.
Take the tour to learn about ten historic buildings, each definitive in the placemaking built environment of the city of Lexington, which have been cleverly adapted to serve a new purpose for residents living in the city today.
Read the photo captions for architectural analysis, highlights, details explaining style-defining characteristics,
and further exploration of changes made over time.
Locations for Tour
The National Bank Building
The First National Bank Building, also known as the Fayette National Bank Building, is a historic fifteen-story high-rise located at 167 West Main Street # 1006. It was designed by a prominent New York architectural firm called McKim, Mead, and…
Melodeon Hall
Melodeon Hall is also referred to as the historic McAdams and Morford Building.
Throughout the history of this structure, it has consistently housed multiple commercial uses such as wholesale retail and drug stores, a college education center, and…
Old Fayette County Courthouse
Although this historic landmark sat vacant for many years, reconstruction efforts on the structure have breathed new life into the courthouse and it stands as an excellent example of adaptive reuse in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Three previous…
The ArtsPlace Building, LexArts
The building was constructed in 1904 for use by the Young Men’s Christian Association. Like other YMCAs of the time, this place was used to promote evangelical Christianity, encourage sportsmanship and athleticism, and provide aid and housing. In…
The Carrick House
The Carrick House is located at the corner of Third Street and North Limestone, across from Transylvania University. The Carrick House was commissioned by James Weir before his death in 1832. His nephew oversaw the Carrick House to its completion by…
Wolf Wile Department Store/Gray Construction Building
This building stands as a remarkable example of modernist architecture. Its adaptation into the Gray Construction headquarters preserved the building’s historical significance while also carefully altering elements of the building to best serve its…
Joe Bologna's/Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church
This structure was originally built in 1891 as the Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church. The church served the historic neighborhood surrounding the building in the South Hill neighborhood. The Presbyterian community eventually outgrew the church, and…
Heritage Antiques
154 North Broadway is positioned near the Victorian Square Mall and across the street from the Lexington Opera House. The building, originally designed to be used as a church, was constructed in 1867 by American architect Cincinnatus Shryock.…
South Hill Station Lofts
222 Bolivar Street is a widely versatile building in the heart of Lexington. Designed and built by Hendricks Brothers and Co. from New Jersey, this building is located between a student-favorite restaurant, Tolly Ho, and the University of Kentucky’s…
Dudley School City #3
Originally, a four-room schoolhouse was built to accommodate the south side of Lexington to meet the city’s expanding enrollment. The building was demolished to make way for the new Dudley school that was built in 1881. According to the Lexington…