LOUISVILLE, KY. — A 12-story, dual-branded Hotel Distil and Moxy has opened on Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row. Poe Cos., White Lodging and REI Real Estate Services jointly developed the 315-room project. Louisville Business First reports project costs of roughly $100 million.
The 205-room Hotel Distil is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection Hotels, a portfolio of independent and upscale hotels comprising more than 180 properties. Many of Hotel Distil’s design cues are taken from bourbon barrels and the distilling process, with the intent of paying homage to Louisville’s bourbon heritage. Examples include wood tones, staves, black metal accents and copper fixtures. The hotel design incorporates an original 1860s-era façade, which was saved following a fire in 2015 and served as the original location and barrel house for J.T.S. Brown & Sons, a Kentucky bourbon whiskey produced by the Heaven Hill Distillery company.
Hotel Distil will offer guests a nightly celebration of Prohibition. Guests will receive an invitation at check-in to join the hotel’s lobby for a nightly toast at 7:33 p.m., which is 19:33 Universal Time, the year Prohibition was repealed. Attendees will receive a celebratory whiskey cocktail.
The hotel’s event space totals more than 11,000 square feet across its ballroom, three meeting rooms and outdoor terrace. The property is also home to oak-fired steakhouse Repeal. The 72-seat restaurant features selectively sourced steaks, a seafood bar, curated bourbons and classic cocktails. Adjacent to Repeal is the staircase entrance to Bitters End, a rooftop bar.
The 110-room Moxy Louisville Downtown is also under the Marriott umbrella of hotels. It serves as Marriott’s millennial-focused brand, which combines stylish design and service at an affordable price point. The Louisville location is the 21st Moxy property to open in the United States. Rooms start at around $160 per night.
Moxy Louisville features Bar Moxy on its ground-floor level, a bar that doubles as the front desk. Guests will receive a complimentary cocktail upon check-in. Located alongside the bar is Zombie Taco, a 24/7 food truck-inspired concept. The restaurant first opened in Chicago last year.
Louisville-based Poe Cos. is a multifamily and hospitality developer. Indiana-based White Lodging is a hospitality ownership, development and management company with more than $1 billion in managed revenue. Indiana-based REI has developed more than 10,000 hotel rooms.
Whiskey Row refers to a block-long stretch along Main Street in Louisville that once served as home to the bourbon industry. The collection of buildings were constructed between 1852 and 1905. Distilleries and brands that call Whiskey Row home include Evan Williams, Jim Beam, Bulleit, Old Forester, Angel’s Envy, Rabbit Hole and Kentucky Peerless.
— Kristin Hiller