The Commons: Lexington’s Next Big Gathering Space
From bourbon tastings and pickleball to live music and overnight stays, this historic property is becoming an all-day destination in the Horse Capital of the World. Image: Mandy Learn
Imagine starting the morning with coffee beneath an old water tower, meeting friends for lunch at a Lexington eatery, spending the afternoon tasting bourbon or playing pickleball, then grabbing dinner and catching a concert … all at the same property.
That’s the idea behind The Commons, a 42-acre mixed-use development on Lexington’s west side that’s turning a historic industrial site — once used for tobacco warehouses and concrete storage yards — into a new place to work, play, gather, and even spend the night.
Located roughly a mile from downtown and adjacent to the city’s popular Distillery District, The Commons brings businesses, dining, recreation, entertainment, short-term lodging, and green space together in one walkable destination.
Some parts of the development are already open, while others are expected to make their debut over the next several months.
From Industrial Site to Lexington Destination
Founder Daren Turner was careful to incorporate the site’s industrial character into its larger vision. You can expect to find a working railroad that runs through the property, as well as two original water towers that have been carefully preserved.
“They kind of identify these areas in town,” Jennifer Mueller, business development director of Thoroughbred Architects & Engineers (the company behind the architectural, engineering, and related professional services for several projects within The Commons), says of the water towers. “They’re just cool, and they’ve been here a long time, so we preserved both of them.”
Not only did they preserve the towers, but they also put them to use. The Water Tower Café, a walk-up eatery serving light breakfast and lunch fare, such as coffee and sandwiches, is located beneath one of the area’s most recognizable landmarks. Jennifer says that with more businesses coming to The Commons, the cafe will be a welcome gathering place for everyone who works nearby.
By the time The Commons is completed, four 30,000-square-foot buildings will be filled with fitness studios, recreational venues, creative ventures, and more. Businesses such as Gym Blue, Sora Aerial Arts, and Battle Axes are just a few of the spots that have already opened their doors.
Music, Bourbon, Pickleball & More
One of the development’s first major businesses was the 10,215-square-foot RD1 Distillery, which is open for bourbon tastings and guided tours. The RD1’s building was the first to be completed, and the business has remained open while construction continues around it.
Across from the distillery, The Rail is set to open before the end of 2026. The 47,000-square-foot, 2,000-capacity music and entertainment venue will host concerts, performances, and community events. There are plans for the venue to host more than 80 shows per year, which will be managed by Peachtree Entertainment and The Rail’s General Manager, Caleb West.
Between RD1 and The Rail will be The Yard, a central outdoor gathering space for markets, festivals, concerts, and community events. Here, you’ll find plenty of open green space, fire pits, water features, and a large outdoor screen ideal for enjoying watch parties when the Kentucky Wildcats are playing.
Pickleballers have already been getting their game on at Pickleball Kingdom, a 42,300-square-foot indoor facility with 17 courts. It is just one of a growing collection of businesses throughout the property beginning to open their doors. This includes additional dining options, such as OBC Kitchen (which is relocating its Tates Creek Road restaurant to The Commons in October) and Country Boy Brewing, which will bring both a taproom and a restaurant to the development.
A Vision Built Through Collaboration
The Commons features many different uses, and Jennifer stresses that this isn’t random; she says Daren was strategic in the details, including the buildings’ sizes, placements, and colors. So far, the completed portions are about as close to the planning-stage renderings as they could get.
“It’s pretty impressive,” Jennifer exclaims. “I’m in awe of it every day.”
The projects that Thoroughbred Architects & Engineers assisted with include The Station, The Rail, and RD1 Distillery — but Jennifer notes that Thoroughbred is neither the owner nor the developer of the site. She says bringing the vision to life required cooperation among numerous architects, engineers, contractors, landscape architects, tradespeople, and local business owners.
“And it’s not just about what businesses are coming here,” she adds. “It’s about how this community, this development, got built.”
Stay for the Weekend (or Just the Afternoon!)
The 30,000-square-foot, two-story Station features both commercial space and luxury short-term rentals. These lodging options put overnight guests within convenient walking distance of RD1, The Rail, The Yard, and other on-site businesses.
Each of the six Station suites, which are open and available for booking, reflects a different part of Lexington or The Commons, with themes inspired by bourbon, horses, music, and more. Additional units are planned for an adjacent building later this fall.
Outside, almost a mile of walking trails and park space offers a quieter side to the entertainment area, allowing visitors and people who work at The Commons to spend a little time outdoors between activities.
Ready for Business
It’s easy to describe The Commons as an “upcoming destination,” but Jennifer emphasizes that a large chunk of the development is already open, hosting Lexington visitors and residents alike. Every day, Daren’s vision of bringing local businesses together with hospitality, recreation, outdoor space, and entertainment in one spot — all while preserving pieces of the site’s past — comes a little bit closer.
There’s plenty to explore at The Commons, with even more to come!
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Lennie Omalza
Originally from Hawaii, Lennie Omalza is a Louisville-based freelance writer of over 18 years. Lennie is a yoga-loving foodie who travels as often as she can and enjoys writing about food, homes, and weddings. You can find more of Lennie's work at Eater, Hawaii Home & Remodeling, and The Louisville Courier-Journal.
