TeresaLarkHeintzman

The Commodore Condominium, Louisville, KY

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  Opening day January, 1929.
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  11-story Commodore Condominium today.
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  Front brass and stain-glassed entryway.
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  Main Lobby with fireplace.
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  Left receiving area with historic tapestry "cartoon" and antiques.
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  Looking toward the inner lobby.
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  Looking toward the elevator.
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  Antique hutch.
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  Looking toward office archway.
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  One of the last manually operated elevators in the region.

History and Architectural Significance of The Commodore (Condominium)

This architectural jewel was designed for the Biltmore Development Company by the prestigious firm of Joseph & Joseph Architects in 1928. This still-active local firm was also responsible for the designs of many other significant buildings throughout Louisville including the Willow Terrace (1924) and the Dartmouth (1928).

The Commodore is located in the historic Bonnycastle neighborhood at the edge of the Frederick Law Olmstead-designed Cherokee Park. The Commodore was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

The structure and decorative elements on both the exterior and the interior of the Commodore are constructed of the highest quality. This building was the first steel and concrete, fire-resistant structure built in the city of Louisville. In addition, the facade of the Commodore is the only known example where Spanish-Classical Revival stylistic elements are interpreted on the exterior of such a large scale structure. Noteworthy exterior architectural embellishments include a magnificent brass door surrounded by custom stained-glass and a plethora of flamboyantly carved terra-cotta tiles featuring griffins, fleurs-de-lis, engaged twisted columns and many other elaborately designed neo-classical elements.

The interior lobby mirrors the Spanish-Revival aesthetic of the exterior. Notable adornments include textured stuccoed walls, coffered ceilings, an elaborate fireplace, decorative wrought-iron, and exposed wooden beams painted with classical motifs. A particularly outstanding feature is the Mayan-inspired tile designed by the renowned Ernest Batchelder (illustrated in a recent book about the artist). Distributed about the lobby are many valuable pieces of antique furniture and lighting original to the building. On each of the eleven floors, the halls are decorated with moldings and each exhibits numerous stained-glass windows depicting the Commodore crest.

The Commodore was designed and constructed to be a premier apartment building in Louisville. After surviving the Great Depression, and continuing as a luxury apartment building, the building was purchased and restored in 1978 by Louisville native, famous actor and entrepreneur Roger Davis. Davis owned the Commodore until 1981 when it was sold to Acre Realty of Chicago which converted the Commodore from an apartment building to a condominium complex. The Commodore thereafter became a self-managed property. After experimenting throughout the ensuing years with various property management companies, the building has recently returned to being self-managed.

As a building of such high architectural caliber deserves the highest level of respect and care, the current Commodore residents remain steadfast in their dedication to preserving this local and national treasure. They are currently involved with the numerous aesthetic restorations and mechanical updates necessary to maintain the integrity and beauty of the Commodore for subsequent generations.

Commodore Apartment Building

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