Historic converted factory | Reynolds Lofts,
2520 S.3rd Street,
Old Louisville
2520 S.3rd Street
2520 S.3rd Street | Reynolds Lofts
Louisville, KY 40208
Original use: Ford Model-T factory.
The site at 2520 South Third Street was developed by Henry Ford as the fourth of approximatelt twenty-nine factories built to assemble Model-T Ford automobiles. The building on that site was constructed in 1915 for the sole purpose of service as a factory on land that was then on the outskirts of Louisville. The quality of the design and construction, as shown in a close look at the elaborate brickwork facade, reflects a different mindset from a different time. You'd never know it had been a factory just by looking at it today. It was designed by the great Albert Kahn who built all of Ford's factories and is regarded as the leading industrial architect in American history.
Ford ceased operations at this location in 1925, but kept the building until 1940 when it was sold to the Reynolds Metals Company. Reynolds Metals used it as a production factory while manufacturing supplies for WWII. It was later remodeled into their corporate headquarters until they moved in 1958 and donated it to the University of Louisville. U of L, in turn, used it for classroom space until 2000 when it was decommissioned.
More recently, the building has been wholly renovated and converted into a collection of seventy loft-style condominiums, known as Reynolds Lofts. It is conveniently located near the University's main campus, across the street. This site is south of and outside the Historic Old Louisville Preservation District, but it is from about the same period.
Built: 1915Style: designed by Albert Kahn
Original owner: Ford Motor Company
Current use: Residential condominiums
Added: December 10, 2010
Original content copyrighted by Tom Fox
