LEXINGTON, Ky. - "This is CentrePointe’s time," architect Rick Ekhoff told the Courthouse Area Design Review Board Wednesday as he provided updates of the proposed downtown Lexington skyscraper.
CentrePointe was first launched by the Webb Companies several years ago but financing fell through and the project never developed strong public support. Ekhoff says the hotel, retail, and residential concept is now poised for success.
“With the economy falling apart and not basically having funding being available, at the time it was disastrous but I think in retrospect it was probably the best thing that ever happened,” Ekhoff says.
The review board voted unanimously to approve the CentrePointe design. It features a main tower and several smaller buildings that were designed by guest architects. After meeting with the review board in February, CentrePointe designers decided to scrap plans for a pedway on the main tower.
Developer Dudley Webb says he'll now be able to attract more tenants.
“We have probably another 5 or 6 substantial prospects that aren’t signed yet so I can’t comment on them, but they’re almost there. They were awaiting this process to be sure that it’s a go project and then I think they’re ready to commit.”
So when will there be a ground-breaking ceremony at the corner of Vine and Limestone? Webb says that could happen around the first of next year.
