Crews nearly finished converting historic building to housing units in west Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A nonprofit organization is getting closer to completing renovations on a historic building in Louisville's Russell neighborhood to convert it into affordable housing.

As of mid-July, construction is 40% completed at the building on South 15th Street and West Broadway. Crews were expected to finish installing windows on the top floor on July 11.

The building has a storied history: it served as a candy factory, a tobacco warehouse, and office space for the Department of Defense before sitting vacant for decades.

Once construction is complete, "The Gateway on Broadway Senior Apartments" will have 116 affordable units for people 55 and older.

"This building is really intended to be a replacement for the Beecher Terrace redevelopment," said Andrew Hawes, with Louisville's Housing Partnership Inc. "But we'll be able to help some of the Dosker Manor residents as well."

Officials have said the rent will be based on people’s ability to pay, but it won’t exceed 30% of tenants' incomes.

Construction is scheduled to wrap up by March or April of 2025. The first tenants could move in as soon as this December since the top two floors are expected to be complete before then.

Hawes said the new units will fill a huge gap.

"The need is overwhelming, and being a part of the affordable housing initiative for many years, the need is just escalated to a point where it's almost so being able to provide these units in a very timely manner," Hawes said. "It's critical addressing shortage."

While four floors of the completed building will be used as housing, the first floor will serve as a community resource center.

The plan is to have everything from a kitchen space to a bank, as well as spaces to hold classes and celebrations.

Overall, the renovations will cost an estimated $50 million.

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