Through the Ages
What once was an historic lodge, hotel, and women’s community center has become a multi-use space servicing the needs of downtown residents, businessmen and women, and tourists.
Located in the heart of Louisville’s theater district, The Henry Clay is a $20 million mixed-use redevelopment project. The building was built in 1924 as an Elk’s Lodge, and later became the Henry Clay Hotel in 1928 and then the YWCA in 1963. The Wright Taylor building that sits behind The Henry Clay was built in 1928 during the heyday of the Fourth Street commercial boom.
The Henry Clay is one of the largest historic renovation projects in the country of one of the finest buildings of the neo-classic revival style that grew in popularity during the 1920’s era. This style was used extensively in Louisville from 1910-1930 by the prominent local architecture firm of Joseph and Joseph Architects, which designed the building.
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 because of the significance of its architectural features. The Henry Clay became one of Louisville’s most endangered sites after being abandoned in 1987.
In 2003, Preservation Kentucky named the old "YWCA" to its Kentucky's Most Endangered list. During the National Trust for Historic Preservation conference, Bill Weyland, with CITY Properties Group, LLC, announced with city officials that he would redevelop the building.
In 2005, Weyland purchased the property from the City of Louisville. For several years, the City of Louisville had approached many developers with the opportunity to restore the Henry Clay, but deals fell through again and again. The redevelopment of the project was cost prohibitive because of its sensitive historic preservation needs.
City Properties Group was able to restore the building because of Weyland’s long-term expertise with working with a combination of New Markets and Historic Tax Credits.
The Henry Clay Today
Today the Henry Clay is a bustling mixed-use center inhabiting the corner of Third and Chestnut Streets. Its distinctive period décor and ambience gives Louisvillians the opportunity to enjoy pride of place of the theatre district. The Henry Clay offers the largest historic boutique event space in downtown Louisville.
There are 14 unique event spaces at The Henry Clay available for your unique event. From large ballrooms to intimate settings, The Henry Clay has the space you need to make your special event a success. In-house caterer The Silver Spoon can create any atmosphere and event you desire.
The Henry Clay has 11 condominiums and 33 loft-style apartments. The unique architectural setting and the downtown location make The Henry Clay a destination of choice for urban living in Louisville.
The Henry Clay's location in the theatre district in Louisville places it strategically within walking distance to some of downtown's most desirable locations including the 4th Street Live entertainment district, The Palace Theatre, Slugger Field, Waterfront Park, and Louisville's new downtown arena, the KFC Yum! Center. It is also just a short distance to the Louisville Slugger Museum, Churchill Downs, the Louisvlle Science Center, and Glassworks.