Louisville will begin its first building conversion project funded by the city’s building conversion program to turn existing office spaces into apartments and condominiums. The first conversion will take place at 531 Court Place, turning the old Jefferson County Fiscal Court building into 106 new apartments.
In a press conference on Tuesday, June 10, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced the project.
“Revitalizing the Jefferson County Fiscal Court Building adds to our incredible downtown momentum as we continue building downtown into a thriving, mixed-use community,” said Mayor Greenberg. “By transforming this historic structure into sustainable housing, we’re fostering a more dynamic, 24/7 neighborhood with thousands more people living and working in the heart of Louisville.”
The project will be funded under the Downtown Louisville Building Conversion Program, which provides funding to turn vacant office spaces into residential, hospitality, entertainment, and mixed-use spaces. It will be the first project funded under the program.
Weyland Ventures will convert the 10-story building into apartments with a mix of studio, one and two-bedroom units. There will also be live-work space, and ADA-accessible units. 33% are slated to be affordable to households earning less than 80% of the area’s median income. Shared spaces will include tenant storage, fitness room, and “other community-focused” features.
“This project revitalizes a downtown Louisville landmark, creating a vibrant, inclusive space for residents,” said Mariah Gratz, CEO of Weyland Ventures. “By combining historic preservation with modern living, we’re meeting today’s housing needs while honoring the city’s architectural heritage.”
No word on how the project will address residents’ ability to access fresh food sources without a grocery nearby.
The estimated cost of the project is $28 million dollars with Louisville Metro Government offering $3 million from the conversion fund. The fund provides final funding for projects to close financial gaps after other funding sources are in place.
The Fiscal Court building was originally built in two phases. Six stories were built in 1938, and four additional stories were added in 1956. The building was designated a local landmark in 2001 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.
