07.06.2023

Today’s Forecast

89º | Scattered thunderstorms | 40% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:25 a.m. | Sunset 9:09 p.m.

The blue brick remains — for now

An update on the vacant Bank of Louisville building

Plans for the blue-brick building at 500 W. Broadway are yet to be determined. | Photo by LOUtoday

Something new is in the works for the former Bank of Louisville building that has been mostly vacant for about five years.

Originally built as the bank’s headquarters in 1967, the building at 500 W. Broadway was sold in a foreclosure auction in 2017. At the time, it was valued at about $1.5 million.

A few years later, local architecture firm Luckett & Farley announced plans to develop the 11-story building into a $50 million, 195-room boutique hotel called Hotel Indigo. The lodging was expected to include a restaurant and bar by Joe Hammond Group, a coffee bar by Fante’s, and more. But the hotel and its anticipated amenities never came.

Last month, the building went to auction again — and now, Louisville-based LDG Development is working out what to do with the 250,000-sqft structure.

Details haven’t been released — and development + financing plans are still being finalized — but we suspect the project might be part of the company’s phased development just across the street on the space formerly occupied by Brown Bros. Cadillac.

empty lot with a chain-link fence around it — The now-razed Brown Bros. Cadillac building is slated to be the site of 100+ apartment units.
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Photo by LOUtoday

LDG Development also owns the 5.35-acre property where the car dealership once stood. Crews began tearing down the buildings between Broadway and Fourth Street last month, and the site is slated to bring 186 new apartment units to downtown LOU.

Asked

What would you like to see in the former Bank of Louisville building?

Choose a development

Events

Thursday, July 6

Unlocking the Code: A Four-Week Literacy Workshop | Thursday, July 6-Tuesday, July 25 | 5:30-7:15 p.m. | Western Library, Louisville Free Public Library, 604 S. 10th St., Louisville | Free | These hands-on workshops will explain the science of reading + help attendees brush up on literacy skills.

Friday, July 7

Aidan Canfield: Nashville Hits the Roof! | Friday, July 7 | 8 p.m. | Tin Roof Louisville, 3921 Shelbyville Rd., Louisville | Free | Hear tunes by this singer/songwriter who draws inspiration from Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, Zach Bryan, and Kenny Chesney.

Saturday, July 8

Lacy Rae Rain & Thunder Drag Show | Saturday, July 8 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave., Louisville | $14.99 | Ages 18+ are welcome to see five performers, including Lacy Rae Rain, who is known for drag, cosplay, cabaret, and kawaii fashion.

Sunday, July 9

Movement in the Atrium: Buti Yoga with Chrystal | Sunday, July 9 | 12-1 p.m. | Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. 3rd St., Louisville | Free | Combine traditional yoga asanas with primal movement + cardio bursts during this rhythm-based class.

Monday, July 10

Summer Storytelling | Monday, July 10 | 10-11 a.m. | 21c Museum Hotel, 700 W. Main St., Louisville | Free | Presented in partnership with Louisville Free Public Library, this family-friendly program features storytelling, movement, and other activities.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Watch

Chris Williams, the owner of Four Pegs Smokehouse, went head-to-head with other pitmasters on Bobby Flay’s “BBQ Brawl.” A watch party will be held at the Germantown restaurant for the episode premiere at 9 p.m. on Monday, July 10. (WLKY)

Try This

Independence Day is over, but the celebrations will continue at Kentucky Kingdom through the end of the month. Dubbed “Summer Blast,” the amusement park’s 15-minute firework shows will start at 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in July. General admission to the park starts at $29.99. (WDRB)

Cause

The Louisville Zoo’s annual fundraiser, Brew at the Zoo, will boast additional features this year. In addition to beer, food + wine samples, guests can expect animal encounters, late-night food bites, live music, oversized lawn games, and a silent disco. Tickets are $115-$125. (WHAS11)

Drink

Cannabis in a can is available at a bar near you. The Delta-9 beverages are made by Louisville-based Hectare’s Cannabis Innovations. You can try one at Four Pegs, Waldo’s Chicken & Beer, Left Field Lounge, Saints Pizza Pub and Sky Bar + Shenanigans Irish Grille. (The Courier-Journal)

Seasonal

Planet Fitness is offering Louisville + Southern Indiana teens free workouts all summer long. Through Thursday, August 31, teens ages 14-19 can sign up for a pass to exercise at any of the purple-branded gym’s locations.

Ranked

Louisville came in 42nd place on Wallethub’s list of the 2023’s Best- & Worst-Run Cities in America. The ratings are based on a “Quality of Services” score that’s made up of 36 metrics grouped into six service categories, which were then measured against each city’s per-capita budget.

Shop

If you’re looking to buy a new pair of sunglasses this summer, you’re in luck. Our online store (Six & Main) has you covered with a variety of polarized, floating sunglasses… that’s right they float in the water. Find your perfect pair now.

Culture

Your new Zoom backgrounds

Work remotely at these 3 hidden gems

People sitting at tables with their laptops inside of a bagel shop

Payne Street Bakehouse offers lots of natural light and just the right amount of ambient noise. | Photo by LOUtoday

Maybe you have the perfect home-office setup, but sometimes you just want a change of scenery. We feel you.

Here are a few of our favorite remote-work spots.

☕ Jackdaw Coffee & Bourbon Bar, 120 S. Floyd St.
Located inside the Cambria Hotel downtown, this quiet coffee shop/bar starts serving breakfast + classic and seasonal drinks at 7 a.m. Try the Jackdaw — a double shot of espresso with Irish cream steamed milk — to get you revved up in the morning.

🥯 Payne Street Bakehouse, 225 S. Spring St.
This Irish Hill spot offers lots natural light and just the right amount of ambient noise to help you stay focused. Plus, it boasts 14 kinds of freshly made bagels to keep you fueled throughout the workday.

📚Northeast Regional Library, 15 Bellevoir Cir.
Don’t worry about keeping quiet here. There are multiple rooms available for Zoom calls and other meetings + a Quills Coffee location to satisfy your caffeine fix.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Lennie

From the editor

I find that sometimes, switching up my work environment gives me the inspiration I need to get the creative juices flowing. The three spots listed above are places that Katie and I have used as virtual offices to discuss the stories we bring to you every day. If you happen to see us out, be sure to pop over and say “hi” — we’d love to chat.

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