Actors Theatre of Louisville Unveil New Artist Housing in Downtown Louisville

Actors Theatre of Louisville's Artistic Director, Les Waters and Managing Director, Jennifer Bielstein unveiled the completion of a new artist housing community located in the heart of downtown Louisville.

About the housing: Three floors of the historic 300 Building have been transformed into 18 apartments that blend contemporary styling with the comforts and conveniences of urban living to create a haven for many of the 170 visiting artists that Actors Theatre houses each year.

The new apartments were unveiled during a public reception last night (Monday January 30, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.) with the first set of guest artists scheduled to move in on February 1, 2012 in preparation for the 36th annual Humana Festival of New American Plays.

Since its relocation to its current home in the historic Bank of Louisville building on Main Street from the Illinois Central Station at Seventh Street and the River Road 39 years ago, Actors Theatre has been a pioneer in downtown revitalization. This latest project exemplifies Actors Theatre continued commitment to strategic partnerships with other organizations and businesses in order to maximize efficiencies and capitalize on the opportunities in the region. The project was made possible through a generous partnership with FBM Properties who invested $1 million on behalf of Actors Theatre to support the construction of the apartments. Actors Theatre has a 20-year lease at a discounted rate resulting in a potential savings of up to $800,000 for the Theatre.

The new residences, adjacent to the Theatre on the corner of Main and Third Streets, are a combination of studio and one-bedroom apartments that vary from 420 to 650 square feet in size. The apartments occupy the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors of the 300 Building (that also houses BBC Brewery on the1st, 2nd and basement levels as well as a private residence on the 6th). Each apartment is fully furnished, features new appliances and includes contemporary artwork created by Kevin Troxall from Kevin Troxall Design. The project features smart urban-chic design situated in the heart of Main Street, an area that has seen rapid transformation into a vibrant quarter for dining, socializing and culture.

The total cost of the project was $1.15 million and was funded through the investment made by FBM Properties, significant in-kind contracting by Cardinal Services, in-kind design services from Kevin Troxall Design and gifts from Actors Theatre Board members and private donations, including a gift registry at Bed, Bath and Beyond used to furnish the apartments with the necessary home accessories. Concept and interior design of the apartments was by Kevin Troxall of Louisville-based design firm, Kevin Troxall Design. Local firms Cardinal Services, Louisville Bedding and Bowles Mattress were engaged in this project and General Electric and Linda Hubbuch of Hubbuch & Co. provided a cost-effective arrangement for the appliances and select furnishings. The project was overseen by Actors Theatre's General Manager, Jeff Rodgers with additional support from Actors' operations team led by Operations Director, Mike Schussler-Williams, Alan Meyer, and the Company Management team of Dot King and Rachel McKee.

Actors Theatre's Managing Director Jennifer Bielstein said, "Actors Theatre continually strives to be a responsible and frugal steward of our finances, to maximize the investment made by our donors as well as our ticket buyers. We have been searching for ways to reduce our housing expenditure for more than two years. When the opportunity to have artist housing in a contiguous location to our performing spaces arose we seized it. We are grateful for the support and involvement of all who have worked around the clock to make it happen and for the significant contributions of FBM Properties as well as Cardinal Services. This partnership will allow us to improve our finances long-term as we control one of our largest operating costs."

Jim Fox, on behalf of FBM Properties, "We have owned the 300 building for almost 35 years and we are very protective of it. It is FBM Properties' honor and pleasure to have Actors Theatre associated with the building."

Andrew Mueller, Cardinal Services Inc., "It is Cardinal Services' great pleasure to have been given the opportunity to assist Actors Theatre in achieving their goal. We are proud to have, in some small way, contributed to Actors Theater's positive influence on our region. It is a unique occasion to collaborate with such an organization, and always a pleasure to see ambition become a reality. We hope our contribution to this project will reflect recognition of the great value Actors Theater brings to our culture and community. "

Kevin Troxall , Kevin Troxall Design, "The exciting challenge of this project was to incorporate the needs of the artists while keeping within the budgets of a nonprofit organization. Through the process of interviewing previous guest actors, directors, and designers, working with Actors Theatre's management team and partnering with Cardinal Services, we have designed a comfortably modern space for artists to enjoy for years to come. Actors Theatre helps make Louisville a great place to live, work and do business, and I'm pleased to have been a part of this project."

Photos by Brett Marshall, Kertis Creative
Design by Kevin Troxal Design