Kentucky Owl Park
BARDSTOWN, KY
Distillery & Bourbon Experience Park
Working with the international land planning firm Hart Howerton, J. Richard Hill & Co. created a master plan for a 400-acre quarry that was bisected by a seldom used rail road line. A strategy was developed to convert three vacant limestone pits into fresh water lakes, and to add attractions, hotels and shops around the lakes. The planned center piece was an upscale distillery, designed to become the flagship of Bardstown’s bourbon heritage which is known as the bourbon capital of the world. The plan was instrumental in attracting the $200,000,000 Kentucky Owl distillery designed by internationally known architect Shigeru Ban. The distillery has a planned 2025 construction start.
Lightbulb Moment
“Convert the abandoned quarries into lakes, waterfront retail and restaurants, amphitheater, and showcase distillery.”