LOUISVILLE, Ky. —We’re learning more about a new plan to transform an old property in downtown Louisville. 

What You Need To Know

  •  LDG Development said rents are not finalized, but are estimated to be anywhere from $1,300 to over $2,000 a month.

  • The development will be called Motorworks, and will feaure one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

  •  Plans include keeping the original Cadillac showroom and incorporating that into the design.

  • Costs are still being developed, but Motorworks is at least a $40 million investment into the downtown Louisville neighborhood. 

Brand new apartments are coming to downtown Louisville.

If you stand in a certain spot in downtown Louisville, you can almost feel the history — the buzz of the bygone era at Brown Brothers. Literal signs of what used to be here are still around. Now, it’s time for something new.

“We are so excited about Motorworks, which is going to be located on the former Brown Brothers Cadillac site.” Christi Lanier-Robinson, the executive vice president of communications and strategic partnerships with LDG Development, explained. “It’s going to be 186-units of high-quality, market-rate housing.”

Rents are not finalized, but are estimated to be anywhere from $1,300 to over $2,000 a month. The development will primarily be one- and two-bedroom apartments, but they’ll also have three-bedroom options.

Motorworks will have amenities like a business and a fitness center, yoga studio and even a golf simulator.

Christi Lanier-Robinson, with LDG Development, which primarily builds affordable housing, says downtown Louisville is ready for this. In fact, when the site came available, LDG was immediately interested.

“So, we closed on it at the end of 2022, and now that we have the site completely under control, we’ll be working to finalize the development plans, looking at financing packages that make sense that will allow us to more forward. And hopefully bring high-quality housing down into the area.” Lanier-Robinson explained.

Lanier-Robinson said there are plans to keep the original Brown Brothers Cadillac Dealership showroom in the development. “When you look at the original showroom, and the character that it has. It’s an historical building. Building that into and incorporating that into the overall site plans just makes sense. Our plan is to demolish the other sites.” she explained.

Lanier-Robinson said costs are still being developed, but she says this is at least a $40 Million investment into this downtown Louisville neighborhood.

“I think it’s just going to build on the success and momentum of what’s already being created. I think that as more people begin living Downtown, what will follow is more eateries, more amenities, more retail outlets. We all want that for downtown.” she explained.

It also means more housing. “There’s a need for all types of housing in this community and this development is going to help fill that need.” Lanier-Robinson said.

Final costs are still being figured out, as are development plans. LDG Development hopes to have shovels in the ground either by the end of this year or the first part of next year. 

LDG Development tells Spectrum News 1 that based on the excitement and outreach they’ve received, they feel like they won’t have any issues leasing the units pretty quickly.

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