Kentucky Oaks | Calhoun Construction - Part 3

Churchill Downs finishes $18 million renovations in time for Kentucky Derby

Apr 26, 2016

By Katie George

 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Churchill Downs is finishing an $18 million project just in time for this year’s Kentucky Derby.

“We’re in the final stages of creating a new space for all our customers, horsemen year-round. We’re excited about everything we’ve done,” said Kevin Flanery, the President of Churchill Downs Racetrack.

The multi-million dollar Clubhouse Enhancements Project added more bars, more seats and more décor.

Now, fans can experience horse racing from new balconies, updated boxes, lounges and bars throughout the clubhouse areas.

“We have really tried to celebrate horse racing at Churchill Downs and the thoroughbred industry. You’ll see a lot of prints and accent points that are kind of hidden treasures in this new construction,” Flanery said.

A new, larger Stakes Room was built on the fourth floor.

The Directors Room, a place for owners and teams to celebrate after races, was moved to the third floor.

And the Turf Club and former Matt Winn Room were combined into one larger room.

“The Turf Club is sort of our private membership club, it’s the place where the folks who are here year-round relax and enjoy themselves. So, we’ve redesigned it and really tried to celebrate the history of racing there,” Flanery said.

The focus on the décor was very apparent.

Flanery described the details and furnishings in the new, larger Stakes Room.

“We tried to incorporate into the architecture things that are germane to the horse industry. You’ll see leather straps, obviously the bridle … The straps on the saddle reflect back to that, and behind it you see the murals on the wall, the screen prints celebrating races of years past.”

Other small details include walls showcasing lyrics and music notes from “My Old Kentucky Home.”

Etchings in granite bar tops mark the posts and finish lines on the racetrack.

And an old school flip clock will go off at the top of each hour for two minutes, signifying the greatest two minutes in sports.

Flanery says it’s details like this that he hopes achieve “Wow” moments for fans.

“We’re trying to create as many experiences as possible,” Flanery said.

Churchill Downs renovations complete in time for Opening Night

Apr 26, 2016

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —The new clubhouse enhancements project at Churchill Downs is almost complete.

Crews expanded and opened up the Stakes Room, Roses Lounge and Turf Club and added a balcony to the Turf Club.

Bridles now hang from the ceiling of the Stakes Room and are one of many new features that help highlight the rich horseracing history of Churchill Downs.

“There’s actually an etching with horses running and one gold standing out says 89-1,” Churchill Downs president Kevin Flanery said.

The etching represents Donerail, the 1913 Kentucky Derby winner and the longest shot ever to win the Derby.

The following year, Old Roosevelt won the run for the roses and then Regret. All three winners are honored at the racetrack-shaped bar, dubbed the Over the Top bar.

“(They) were the three horses that Matt Winn said put the Kentucky Derby over the top in American consciousness. It made the Derby what it is today,” Flanery said.

Today, the Kentucky Derby attracts more than 100,000 people, many from across the country.

The hidden treasures serve as reminders of how it all started. They’re not only accent points, but history lessons.

“We have redesigned it and really tried to celebrate the history of racing,” Flanery said.

On Derby Day, horse owners and trainers and business people from across the country will be hanging out in the Stakes Room.

The Turf Club is a private membership club, which has newly constructed balcony seating.

“We have redesigned it and really tried to celebrate the history of horse racing. In particular, we have 12 tables, in the wood grain is in the style of the silks of all 12 Triple Crown winners. Little things like that to say, ‘I’m not just having a dining experience, I am having a dining experience at Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby,’” Flanery said.

With the renovations, seating has been increased by 41 percent.

Many artistic features were added to reflect the horse racing industry.

The project cost $18 million.

Construction should be completed by Opening Night, which is 5 p.m. Saturday.

 

 

Inside The $18 Million Churchill Downs Renovation (And Its Secret Bar)

Apr 21, 2016

The $18 million renovations at Churchill Downs CHDN +% have modernized, opened up and expanded the spaces for premium seating areas in the third floor Turf Club and the fourth floor Stakes Room and Clubhouse. Among the ostentation on Kentucky Derby weekend, there will be an eye sore, however. Walk along the third level, past the owners and their families schmoozing in the Director’s Room, and you will find what appears to be the door to an HVAC utility room.

You will not be able to open it and walk through freely. Access beyond that door requires an invitation from racetrack president Kevin Flanery. Only then will you be escorted in, revealing wing-backed chairs, leather barstools, walnut wood interiors and marble finishes of a dimly-lit speakeasy featuring Woodford Reserve cocktails from James Beard Award-winning mixologist Charles Joly.

“Everyone knows that on Derby Day, the highest value is space,” says Mark Giles, a project manager from Project Control, which handled the new construction. “Anytime you can get breathing room it’s a big deal.” Both in spirit and hard numbers, the 400-sq.-ft. hideaway is the most valuable space paved by the renovations. Giles says it was ”probably the most expensive part of this whole project because of the materials and finishes.”

Churchill Downs is following the recent trend of sporting venues enhancing food and beverage programs from Levy Restaurants. The new premium seating spaces will have live food service pumping out improved dishes and cocktails throughout the day, including offerings from a stone and fire pizza oven and a prime rib rotisserie. There will be varying table sizes, lounge seating, race-day entertainment, in-seat technologies and added wagering windows.

Inside look at Churchill's pre-Derby renovation

10:25 a.m. EDT April 27, 2016

As Churchill Downs nears the end of $18 million in renovations to a number of its premium seating and lounge areas, the Central Avenue track offered a glimpse inside them Tuesday to local media. Called the “Clubhouse Enhancements Project,” improvements were made across 82,000 square feet and bumped reserved seating capacity 41 percent, from 1,886 to 2,660. Total reserved seating at Churchill on Kentucky Derby Day will this year be 58,654.

“We’ve really tried to celebrate the history of horse racing at Churchill Downs and the Thoroughbred industry,” said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill’s racetrack operations. “You’ll see a lot of prints and accent points that are sort of hidden treasures in this new construction.

Here’s what stood out from the tour…

Stakes Room: Churchill’s fourth-floor premium area previously consisted of four rooms. Now it has been opened up, and “during the year we have a lot of opportunities for just the average person around town who wants to come out for a day of racing,” Flanery said. The centerpiece is the “Over the Top Bar.” It pays homage to Derby winners Donerail, Old Rosebud and Regret, who from 1913-1915 former Churchill president Matt Winn said made the race what it is today — or put it over the top. Etched into the bar, which is shaped like the race track, are quarter poles.

Turf Club: The track caught HGTV and Food Network fever in transforming this third-floor space into an open concept, well-lit area where food will be prepared in front of guests. A new pizza oven and massive rotisserie are on hand with meals prepared by a chef. Flanery said he expects “five times more service” to get guests food and drink faster. The turf club’s boxes have transformed from the typical green-railed spaces to white-walled booths with electronic charging stations.

Churchill Downs Turf Club

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Horse racing in Kentucky dates back to 1789, when the first race course was constructed in Lexington. Almost 100 years later, in 1875, Churchill Downs officially opened its gates in Louisville, and began its tradition as “Home of the Kentucky Derby” and the longest continually running sporting event in America.

Calhoun Construction Services served as the Construction Manager and General Contractor for this Churchill Downs Turf Club renovation. The project included demolition and renovation of the third and fourth floor Turf Club, outdoor bar, 2 new express elevators to the Turf Club and new ultra exclusive speakeasy bar.

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Square Footage:  75,000 sq ft
Year Completed:  2016
Project Location:  Louisville, KY
Contract Type:  Construction Manager

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Timeline Photos

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Churchill Downs Owner’s Boxes and Clubhouse Lawn

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Churchill Downs is home to the world famous Kentucky Derby located in beautiful Louisville KY.

Calhoun Construction Services served as the Construction Manager and General Contractor for this Churchill Downs hospitality renovation. The project included demolition and conversion of the historic grandstands to accommodate 21 owners suites and incorporate 2 Clubhouse Lawn areas for a completely new viewing experience. The associated patron areas were complimented by 2 spaces renovated to serve as the dedicated hospitality area for the new Churchill Downs Owner’s Suites and Clubhouse Lawn. In addition, the Winner’s Circle was redesigned and relocated to be directly adjoining to the Paddock walkway and tunnel.

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Square Footage:  50,000 sq ft
Year Completed:  2015
Project Location:  Louisville, KY
Contract Type:  Construction Manager

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