NBBJ, working with EOP, releases Rupp Arena Study

A team comprised of NBBJ, Skanska, Thorton-Tomasetti and EOP has completed its feasibility study of Rupp Arena. The technical professionals explored options for new construction versus reinvention for every dimension of Lexington Center, Rupp, the Civic Center Shoppes, the Lexington Convention Center and nearby surface parking lots.

To read the entire Herald-Leader article, click here.

UK College of Pharmacy / Biological Pharmaceutical Building Dedicated

A crowd gathered Tuesday for the dedication ceremony of the fourth and fifth floor BioPharm Complex at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy building on South Limestone in Lexington. The fourth floor will house UK College of Pharmacy researchers while the fifth floor will have a cancer research focus, with faculty and researchers from the Markey Cancer Center utilizing the space.

For more information about the EOP project, click here.

View photographs from the dedication ceremony here.

The EOP-designed Southland Christian Church on Richmond Road is well underway. Lexington's Herald-Leader posted an article on the progress with construction photos. Making new use of the former Lexington Mall, the project involves the renovation of the former Dillard's and a 49,000 sf addition that will house the 2,800-seat worship center. The plan also includes a large plaza, water feature and parking for 1,800 vehicles.

Click here to view photos and entire article.

For more information about EOP's project, click here.

AIA Kentucky President Richard Polk Comments on Economy in The Lane Report

Less building activity translates into decreased demand for services by the 2,300 licensed architects in the state. Less building also means there is more and more competition – often from huge national mega-firms – for the projects that do get green-lighted.
 

“It has been a tough time for the last couple of years,” said Richard Polk, president of the Kentucky chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a partner in EOP, a Lexington architecture and interiors firm. 

EOP’s portfolio includes the $81 million Kentucky Transportation Cabinet office building in Frankfort, the $127 million UK College of Pharmacy Building, and a role in the long-stalled $200 million-plus CentrePointe mixed-use development in downtown Lexington.

 

“Buildings aren’t built with pocket change, and the banks have been tight with money. There’s a lack of credit for builders,” Polk said.

 

Read the full article here.

EOP Reuses Rainbo Bread Factory

EOP created the schematic design and layout for the renovation of the former Rainbo Bread Factory. West Sixth Brewing will open a tap room, beer garden and microbrewery in downtown Lexington.

Click here to read article.

Food critic appreciates EOP's design for Shorty's

In her review of Shorty's The Urban Market and Cellar 157, food critic Wendy Miller says that "checking out the redesign of an old bank building, especially the vault, is worth the trip alone."

Read the review here.

Herald-Leader announces EOP's AIA award-winning design

The AIA Kentucky Society of Architects recently presented building projects across the state with its annual Excellence in Architectural Design awards. EOP's design for Shorty's The Urban Market received the highest designation with an AIA honor award.

Click here to read entire article.

EOP and its design for Shorty's Honored

Designers of Kentucky's outstanding architecture will be honored Thursday at a ceremony for the annual Excellence in Architectural Design awards from the Kentucky Society of Architects, a chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Click here to read the entire article.

The Future of Rupp Arena

EOP is part of the team of design and construction consultants that have been asked by the Lexington Arena, Arts & Entertainment District Task Force to conduct a feasibility assessment to consider the options for the future of Rupp Arena and the Lexington Convention Center. The team is headed by Global Spectrum of Philadelphia and includes EOP, NBBJ and Skanska. The assessment will examine the feasibility of transforming the existing facilities or building new in order to meet the needs of  both the Lexington Convention Center and the University of Kentucky.


Read full article here.

EOP...One of the Gang

Chicago architecture firm, Studio Gang, is collaborating on the CentrePointe project with a team of five Lexington-based architects to provide local character to the large project. Firms were chosen from a pool of 25 applicants based on their design background and past collaboration experience.


Click here to read the article.

EOP selected to lead Gateway Urban Campus Master Plan

The Kentucky Department of Finance Division of Engineering has selected EOP Architects of Lexington as the lead firm to complete a Campus Master Plan for the Urban Campus that Gateway Community and Technical College has proposed for downtown Covington.

"The team selected by the Finance Cabinet includes highly experienced firms that bring considerable expertise on how to develop a new campus that will not only fit into the urban core but will also serve as a catalyst for even greater economic development in the area," said Ed Hughes, Gateway president and CEO.

EOP's team includes:
KLH Engineering of Covington
Urban Collage, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta with offices in Lexington
M2D, a Lexington-based landscape architecture firm
Brown + Kubican, structural engineering firm in Lexington

Read the full article here.

EOP collaborating with Studio Gang on the CentrePointe development

Rick Ekhoff commented at July's public meeting, "EOP Architects is overwhelmed at being selected" as one of five Kentucky architecture firms to work with Studio Gang on the CentrePointe development project. (Rendering by Studio Gang.)


"This is one of the most significant things to happen in downtown in a long time, and we're happy to be a part of it," he said.


Chicago architect Jeanne Gang, whose firm came up with the design, announced the Kentucky firms that will participate in the project. Gang unveiled a plan including a 30-story tower to include a hotel, apartments and condominiums; an eight-story office building; a pedestrian passway through the block; and several small buildings, including five that would face Main Street. The taller building is made up of a bundle of tubes of different heights, arranged to allow sunshine and air to flow between them. Roof gardens would top several of the tubes.


Click here to read the full article.

Shorty's receives Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation's Clyde Carpenter Adaptive Re-Use Award

Giving an old building new life as a chic urban business location earned Shorthy's, The Urban Market, an award Sunday night at the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation's annual Preservation Awards presentation. The trust's Clyde Carpenter Adaptive Re-Use Award went to EOP-designed Shorty's, The Urban Market.

EOP designed the new downtown Lexington grocery store in the Traditional Bank Building. Design elements include brick walls and reclaimed wood floors as well as a large vault door, left from the space's previous use as a bank, which serves as a major focal point.

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/06/27/1790144/dudleys-shortys-table-three-ten.html#ixzz1QfOTcOJi

Athletic Business features Kentucky Horse Park Outdoor Stadium

Athletic Business features the Kentucky Horse Park Outdoor Stadium in its 2011 Architectural Showcase. The stadium was the site of The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in Lexington. The stadium, a collaboration with Philadelphia-based EwingCole, includes a 30,000-seat arena for the World Equestrian Games that functions as a 7,500-seat all-weather arena for ongoing legacy events after the Games. Click here to read the article.

Shorty's Urban Market Celebrates Grand Opening

Shorty's Urban Market celebrated its grand opening this past weekend at 163 West Short Street. The independently owned downtown grocery store carries meat, produce and sundries.

Check out Tops in Lex's pictures of the event, as well as the Shorty's Facebook page.

Triangle Foundation Reveals Plan for Redesigned Triangle Park

The Triangle Foundation released the plans for the new design of downtown Lexington's Triangle Park.

EOP Architects and landscape architecture firm M2D Design Group are working with the Triangle Foundation on the redesign of the park. Improvements will feature a central lawn, outdoor café, activity areas for chess and ping pong and a seasonal ice-skating rink.

Check out the Lexington Herald Leader's story about the redesign of Triangle Park.

Grocery Store to Open in Downtown Lexington

EOP is working with Darren Teodoro and an investor group on the design of a new independently owned grocery store in downtown Lexington. The new store--Shorty's, The Urban Market--will be located at 163 West Short Street in the Traditional Bank Building. The market will carry meat, produce, and sundries and is intended to serve the downtown community.

Design elements will include brick walls and antique wood floors as well as a large vault door, left from the space's previous use as a bank, that will serve as a major focal point.

Read the Lexington Herald-Leader's coverage of the market.