AIA/CKC November Program: Edison Center Building Tour and Annual Meeting

Credits: 1 AIA LU

Program Overview:

Following the annual meeting, which will take place at the beginning of the program, Bill Weyland, AIA will discuss the project and the history of the Edison Center. Then Ashlyn Ackerman, Assoc AIA will lead a building tour.

Project Description:

Located at the corner of 7th and Ormsby streets, the Edison Center is a prominent building, built in 1924 as a LG&E operations center to consolidate all field employees under one roof. LG&E operated on the site for over 50 years until it outgrew the facility. Vacant since the late 1990s, the 120,000 square foot main building has been transformed into modern, open-plan office space. Over the past several months, 300 Louisville Metro employees, including Community Services and the Air Pollution Control District, have moved into the renovated facility.

The Edison Center is named after Thomas Edison. Edison premiered his electric lightbulb at the Southern Exposition, a World's Fair type of event that lasted from 1883-1887, in the area of Old Louisville that is now St. James Court and Central Park. The Edison Center is located less than a mile from the site of the Southern Exposition.

One of the four original fountains from the Southern Exposition is being restored and will be installed near the entrance to the building. In addition, a historic display in the lobby will celebrate the history of the Southern Exposition as well as the operations of the Louisville Gas & Electric Company on the site.

The project was developed by City Properties Group. Joseph and Joseph Architects, Kerr-Greulich Engineers, Inc., and Land Design & Development, Inc. provided design and engineering services. BosseMattingly Constructors is serving as the general contractor on the project.