Omni Louisville Hotel Omni Hotel Gives New Energy, Life to Downtown Louisville

The Challenge

Design an urban hotel that supports Louisville’s growing reputation as a top convention destination and revitalize an under-utilized downtown block to stimulate the local economy. Contextually, the hotel’s design should reflect the essence, charm and heritage of Kentucky.

The Design Solution

Built on the site of the former Louisville Water Co., the Omni Louisville Hotel weaves the city’s historic past within a comfortable setting adorned with touches of modern luxury. The lobby is designed to resemble a deconstructed bourbon barrel to immerse guests in Kentucky’s rich bourbon heritage upon arrival. A prominent landmark against the Louisville skyline, the intersection of hotel and residential towers are uniquely expressed as bold overlapping architectural forms. The ground level is designed to embrace the neighborhood with vibrant spaces for both locals and hotel guests. Restaurant tenants can open doors and walls to provide guests with indoor or outdoor dining options. The hotel is a seven-minute walk to the Louisville Convention Center and a seven-mile drive from the airport, making it a major draw for meeting planners. The Omni’s amenities include a rooftop pool and bar with downtown skyline views, bourbon tasting room, a speakeasy with regulation-size bowling lanes and a neighborhood market with groceries, hot foods, a taco truck, brick-oven pizza and craft beer.

The Design Impact

The LEED Silver certified Omni Hotel has energized and activated an under-utilized area of downtown in addition to creating 500 permanent jobs. More than just a travel destination, it incorporates a hotel, residential and neighborhood amenities into a vertically integrated urban mixed-use development.