Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Type
Historic Restoration
Client
Lexington Fayette County Urban Government
Size
50,300 sf

The Renewal of a Civic Landmark


K. Norman Berry Associates (KNBA) led the project team in the complete exterior restoration and interior renovation of the Fayette County Courthouse, one of the most prominent and architecturally significant landmarks in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. We are respectfully transforming the building for contemporary uses and ushering in a new, publicly accessible future.

KNBA worked collaboratively with TenBerke Architects and approached the project with the goal of preserving the character of the building, especially its existing architectural fabric while updating it for a new mix of uses that will once again make the building an accessible and dynamic focal point of downtown.

Fayette county courthouse

The rotunda was re-conceived as an event space, with a restored plaster dome including lighting that suggests a starry sky, flanked by two flexible event spaces designed to accommodate a variety of functions at many scales. Lighting is used throughout the project to subtly highlight the architecture and provide spatial clarity and aid in way-finding. 

In addition to the event space in the rotunda, the building contains offices for businesses and civic non-profit organizations, as well as ground floor food and beverage outlet. The renovation brings one of the city’s most important buildings back into the lives of the people of Lexington.

Private and community spaces within the Historic Courthouse include:


-  VisitLEX Administrative Offices
-  Lexington Visitors Center
-  Breeder’s Cup Headquarters
-  Limestone Hall Event Space
-  Zim’s Cafe and Marketplace
-  The Thirsty Fox

Recognition


  • 2018 Honor Award
  • American Institute of Architects, Kentucky
  • 2018 Ida Lee Willis Foundation
  • Preservation Project Award
  • Kentucky Heritage Council
  • ENR Midwest’s 2018 Best Projects