500 West Jefferson

This article is about the Louisville skyscraper. For the Pittsburgh skyscraper, see Tower at PNC Plaza. For the North Carolina skyscraper, see PNC Plaza (Raleigh).
500 West Jefferson
Map
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeOffice
Location500 West Jefferson St
Downtown Louisville
Opening1971
Height
Roof420-foot (128 m)
Technical details
Floor count31
Design and construction
Architect(s)Welton Becket
Main contractorCharles Pankow Builders, Ltd.
References
[1]

500 West Jefferson, previously known as PNC Plaza for several decades until renamed in 2020, and now also called 500W[2] or 500 West[3] by its owners, is a skyscraper in Downtown, Louisville, Kentucky and located at 500 West Jefferson Street. Previously owned by Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank and currently owned by SomeraRoad Inc, the 31-story, 420-foot (128 m) high structure was designed by architect Welton Becket and was completed in 1971. A notable feature of the building is the pattern of pre-cast concrete panels on the exterior of its windows. The building, originally named Citizens Fidelity Plaza, was named after Citizens Fidelity Bank and renamed PNC Plaza when Citizens Fidelity was acquired by PNC Bank.[when?]

It was the tallest building in the state of Kentucky when it was completed in 1971, but lost that distinction a year later when National City Tower was completed in 1972. PNC now has offices in both buildings due to its own acquisition of National City Corp. in an unrelated move, however, it does not own National City Tower.

The Jefferson Club, a private city club, was located on the top floor of the building, until closing in February 2010.[3]

The building was purchased by Optima International, a firm based in Miami and run by Chaim Schochet, for a $77 million cash and mortgage assumption deal that closed on September 21, 2011.[4]

In 2019, Milwaukee-based financial services firm Baird purchased Louisville financial services firm Hilliard Lyons and became the anchor tenant, renovating and moving workers to the top five floors.[5]

In August 2020, Federal prosecutors filed a lawsuit claiming that the Ukrainian owners were laundering billions of dollars over more than ten years.[6]

In November 2020, the New York–based private equity firm SomeraRoad bought the tower for $22.5 million, renamed it to "500W",[7] and began renovation plans. Vice President of SomeraRoad Andrew Marchetti said "What we're doing is going to change the trajectory of 500 West. And it'll be noticeable,"[3] saying the company hopes to attract new tenants with these amenities and updates.[5] Spending $16 million, changes include a new entrance and lobby, a tenant lounge, a conference center, and fitness center.[8] Ev's Deli is currently the only café or restaurant in the building. In September 2022, Tennessee-based Barista Parlor announced that it planned to open a new location in the atrium of the building, but did not say when that would happen.[9]

  1. ^ "500 West Jefferson". Skyscraper Center. CTBUH. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  2. ^ "500 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, Kentucky". 500 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, Kentucky, official website. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Otts, Chris (May 14, 2021). "New owner plans to 'change the trajectory' of aging Louisville office tower". WDRB. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  4. ^ Karman III, John (September 30, 2011). "Florida firm buys PNC Plaza for $77 million". Louisville Business First. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  5. ^ a b Otts, Chris (14 May 2021). "New owner plans to 'change the trajectory' of aging Louisville office tower". WDRB. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  6. ^ Wolfson, Andrew. "Feds seek seizure of Louisville high-rise, say it was bought by Ukrainian embezzlers". Courier Journal. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  7. ^ "500W". SomeraRoad. 3 May 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  8. ^ Tolbert, Eleanor (May 20, 2022). "Look: $16 million renovation coming to one of Louisville's largest office towers". WLKY. Louisville Business First. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  9. ^ "Barista Parlor to open first Louisville coffee shop in 500 West Building downtown". WDRB. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-30.