Levy Building, Louisville

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Levy Building, Louisville

Levy Building, Louisville

The Levy Building, prominently located at Third and Market in downtown Louisville, stands as one of the city’s finest surviving examples of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. Designed by Charles J. Clarke and Arthur Loomis, the building opened in 1893 and gained immediate attention for its robust stonework, arched windows, and bold architectural detailing. It first appeared in the American Architect and Building News the same year, marking its place among notable U.S. constructions of the period.

Originally developed by Moses and Henry Levy to house their upscale department store, Levy Brothers Clothing Store, the building remained in commercial use for nearly 90 years until the store’s closure in 1979. It was one of the first structures in Louisville to be fitted with electric lighting, and its nighttime glow gave rise to the local expression, “lit up like Levy’s,” still remembered as a piece of urban folklore. A state historical marker now commemorates its legacy.

After a period of renovation, the building found new life. The Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant began operating on the first floor, while the upper levels were transformed into 23 residential condominiums in 2005. These units share access to a rooftop terrace, meeting spaces, and a fitness room—preserving the structure’s historical integrity while adapting it to contemporary use. Today, the Levy Building remains a landmark of architectural and cultural continuity, linking Louisville’s commercial past to its evolving downtown landscape.

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Levy Building on Map

Sight Name: Levy Building
Sight Location: Louisville, USA (See walking tours in Louisville)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Louisville, Kentucky

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