Long for sale on the corner of West Main Street and Eighth Street Downtown, the Kentucky Opera Building has found a buyer and is currently under renovation. Law firm Thompson, Miller & Simpson purchased the five-story building from Louis & Henry Group Architects this summer and plans to relocate to the building from 600 West Main Street when construction is complete in December.
Laura Cassaro of Thompson, Miller & Simpson said the firm will occupy the building’s top three floors. Louis & Henry will remain on the second floor and several new tenants will be added to the first floor including the Museum District Business Center, a copy service for Downtown businesses, two attorneys’ offices, and Video Court Reporting Services.
The structure is currently covered in scaffolding and undergoing tuck pointing to restore the building’s 1890 masonry facade as well as replace crumbling window sills. Work on the first floor is largely complete but construction continues on an enlarged lobby.
Bill Weyland of City Properties Group purchased the building in 1989 after it had fallen into disrepair. His firm restored the structure and converted it into an office building. In 2008, the Kentucky Opera Building was a candidate for a planned museum, genealogical library, and headquarters for the Sons of the American Revolution who eventually opted to purchase the nearby Fulton Conway Building on West Main Street.
Additional information can be found in a Business First report from July 2009.
It is very exciting to see these old buildings being brought back to life & put to good use. I am fortunate to have been chosen by Thompson, Miller & Simpson to do the interior design and space planning on this project. The general contractor is Leo Post who is doing a superb job of restoring the building to its original integrity. Hopefully, more companies will follow this example & continue to make Louisville a more beautiful and interesting city.
Great news, Beverly. The Kentucky Opera Building has always been one of my favorites on West Main Street and it’s good to see it’s getting the care it deserves. With three floors for the TMS offices, there should be some great opportunities for interior design and space planning.