Lexington, Ky. — RD1 Spirts has signed on to join as an anchor tenant at The Commons, a 40-acre mixed-use development in downtown Lexington. The locally based bourbon brand plans to invest $4.8 million to develop the two-story distillery spanning 10,215 square feet and including an entrance off Main Street.
The venue will include outdoor seating on both levels, four private tasting rooms, a glass-enclosed research-and-development space for wood finishing for RD1’s bourbon barrels, VIP speakeasy tasting room, craft cocktail bar and a gift shop. RD1 plans to open the distillery in August and support 11 full-time employees.
The project team features law firm McBrayer and engineering firm VITOK, as well as architectural and design firm Lord Aeck Sargent. Ron Hardwick, a Louisville bourbon expert and shareholder of RD1, plans to lead the distillery design at the new venue. RD1 received approval for $521,000 in incentives from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority to help finance the project.
In addition to RD1, The Commons will feature Goodwood Spirits and Brewing, luxury short-term vacation rentals, creative offices, a walking trail, adventure park with axe throwing and go-karts, more than 600 parking spaces and a live music venue. Local investor Daren Turner is the developer behind The Commons.