Levy Building, Louisville

The Levy Building, prominently located at Third and Market in downtown Louisville, stands as one of the city鈥檚 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鈥檚 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, 鈥渓it up like Levy鈥檚,鈥� 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鈥攑reserving the structure鈥檚 historical integrity while adapting it to contemporary use. Today, the Levy Building remains a landmark of architectural and cultural continuity, linking Louisville鈥檚 commercial past to its evolving downtown landscape.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Louisville. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

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

Louisville Architecture Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Louisville, Kentucky

Create Your Own Walk in Louisville

Creating your own self-guided walk in Louisville is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Historical Old Louisville Walking Tour

The third largest urban district in the United States and the country's largest preservation district of Victorian-era buildings, the Old Town of Louisville is an ideal area in which to travel through the city's history. It is here that Louisville's oldest and most peculiar houses and other reminders of the past are concentrated, featuring a wealth of architectural styles.

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles

Louisville Introduction Walking Tour

Poised on the banks of the Ohio River, Kentucky's largest city Louisville blends small-town charm with urban sophistication. The first European settlement in the vicinity of modern-day Louisville was on Corn Island, established in 1778 by Col. George Rogers Clark, credited as the founder of the city. Two years later, the Virginia General Assembly approved the town charter of Louisville. The... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles

Louisville Architecture Walking Tour

Louisville, Kentucky, is famous for its architectural marvels, featuring a combination of styles and eras, sizes and artistic directions, adding a great deal of uniqueness to the city panorama. Architecture buffs will be delighted at a chance to admire the elaborate edifices abounding the city.

One such iconic spot is Whiskey Row. Once a bustling hub of the local bourbon industry, it has been... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

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