There are quite a few events going on this weekend. A couple in particular, I feel, could be of interest to the Broken Sidewalk community. Here’s a rundown of some of the events. If I missed one you care about, feel free to include it in the comments.
First, I recommend you spend some time Sunday afternoon (1:00–6:00pm) checking out the American Institute of Architects’ House Tour featuring the work of local architects who will be on hand to answer questions. Two projects in particular on this year’s tour are surprising includes: the Ouerbacker Mansion on West Jefferson Street and the Phoenix Lofts on East Broadway. Both projects have appeared on Broken Sidewalk, but had been laying low in recent months. Now there’s progress at both sites and you will have a chance to check them out first hand.
The grand Ouerbacker House had a close brush with demolition last year before architect Scott Kremer of Studio Kremer stepped in to save the 19th century landmark. It still remain’s on Preservation Louisville’s “Most Endangered” list, but Scott will be opening up the ground floor for all to see. He tells us the project was delayed as it took almost a year to take over a deed from the city, but now a partially collapsed masonry wall is fully repaired and a landscape firm has tamed the weeds out front. Crews filled two full 30-yard dumpsters with debris in preparation for the tour.
We last checked in with the Phoenix Lofts over a year ago when the project entered a sort of hiatus. Designer Brent Girdler of the Girdler Group told us that construction has resumed, one unit has sold, and another under-construction unit will be ready to tour this weekend. Work recently has focused on installing decks and railings on the back of the building.
University of Louisville Urban & Public Affairs professor John Gilderbloom will also host a symposium for the AIA-CKC Architects’ House Tour on Saturday at the Henry Clay. The event kicks off at 10:00am and runs until noon in the fourth floor Billiards Room at 604 S. Third Street.
All the houses on the tour should be worth a visit and the price of a ticket ($15 at the door of any house on the tour) gets you in to all seven homes. As an added bonus, proceeds from the event benefit Habitat for Humanity. Here’s the rundown of all the homes on the tour from the AIA-CKC’s web site:
1. Hansen Residence
– 2027 Bonnycastle, Louisville, Ky
– Architect: Eric Hansen, AIA
2. Allen Residence
– 1013 Canyon Road – New Albany, Indiana
– Architect: David M. Allen, AIA LEED AP
3. Reisz Residence Renovation
– 4418 Signal Hill Rd., Louisville, Ky
– Architect: Mary Jackson, AIA
4. Triplett Residence
– 3214 Beals Branch Dr., Louisville, Ky
– Architect: Matt Triplett
5. Basham Residence
– 8215 Chapel Drive – Crestwood, Ky 40014
– Architect: Gary Watrous, AIA
6. Phoenix Lofts
– East Broadway & Rubel Ave., Louisville, Ky
– Designer: Brent Girdler / Girdler Group
7. Ouerbacker Mansion
-17th & Jefferson Street, Louisville, Ky
– Architect: Arthur Loomis
– Represented by Scott Kremer, AIA of Studio Kremer
Here are a few other events going on around Louisville this weekend you may find interesting:
- Act fast and you could go the the first Grassroots Gala, a fundraiser for the Center for Neighborhoods. The event is Friday from 5:30 until 8:00pm at Union Station on Broadway at 10th Street and features speakers Stephen George (LEO editor) and Metro Councilman Tom Owen. Plans include a “Taste of Neighborhood Institute” (with food from local restaurants), a silent auction, neighborhood booths (from quite a few neighborhoods), live music (by Bloom Street), and a BBC beer garden. Admission is $25 at the door. (From press release, call Lisa Dettlinger at 502.905.4342 for more info.)
- New Albany has organized its own House Tour, featuring historic homes on the Sunny Side on Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. All the houses and a church are new to the tour this year. Tickets are $15 and available online, the NA Downtown Farmer’s Market (Bank & Market Streets), or at 222 Pearl Street the day of the event. (Develop NA or PDF Event Poster or C-J)
- You’ll need to act fast again and bring your checkbook, but Proof on Main will be holding an urban gardening (with bourbon too, of course) event Friday evening at 6:30pm. Celebrity gardener Jon Carloftis will host the bourbon tasting and rooftop garden tour. The cost is $59 and reservations can be made to 502.217.6312. (Proof on Main)
- A new “NeighborFest” will take place on Bardstown Road on Saturday from 1:00-5:00pm. It’s sponsored by Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church and Deer Park Baptist Church. (More from the C-J)
If you plan to attend any of these events, tell us how they were. If you stop by either of the house tours, take your camera and send in a few photos. We’ll try to get them online and make you an official Broken Sidewalk tipster.
