LA GRANGE, Ky. — A local developer plans to breathe new life into a historic downtown building, transforming it from a former funeral home into a boutique hotel and event space.
Nathan Merrell of Merrell Construction & Concepts is proposing to redevelop the former Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home at 311 W. Jefferson St. into a 12-room boutique hotel named The Radcliffe Inn. The funeral home vacated the building in 2019.
Merrell said the project will focus on sustainability and energy efficiency while preserving the building’s original architecture and design features.
“The plans emphasize energy efficient systems, responsible materials, and long-term sustainability, while carefully maintaining and honoring the building’s original architecture, scale, and design features,” he said.
Because the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the project requires approval from the Central La Grange Historic Districts Commission. Merrell has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness, which will be reviewed at the commission’s meeting on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. The discussion will primarily cover proposed exterior and site changes.
If approved, the developer plans to hold a neighborhood meeting to gather community feedback.
“The goal is to modernize the property and re-envision the future, all while keeping true to a Depression-era building built in 1936 coming out of Prohibition years,” Merrell said. “Its design allows the facility to function as a cultural hub integral to supporting the arts and local small businesses.”
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