Lexington Financial Center

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Looking down East Main Street in downtown Lexington. The Lexington Financial Center is often referred to as "Fifth Third" or "the Big Blue Building" and is at left.

The Lexington Financial Center, locally known as "Fifth Third", is a 357,361 sq. ft.^[1], 410 ft. (125 m.) 32-floor high-rise in Lexington, Kentucky. It is located between Vine Street and Main Street at South Mill Street. Its exterior features blue tinted glass that has become an identifying symbol for the downtown.^[2]

It was originally proposed as a 26-story skyscraper in 1984 across from the Vine Center and replace the failed project, the Galleria.^[3] The Lexington Financial Center would be four stories and several linear feet taller than the then-tallest Kincaid Towers. It was projected that $32 million in private funds would be secured.

In addition, $7.5 million in state aid was announced by then-Governor Martha Layne Collins towards the construction of a six-level parking structure that would serve Triangle Center and the Lexington Financial Center.^[4]

Construction was completed in 1987. Upon completion, it housed the Webb Company, the Bank of Lexington, Sherman, Carter, Barnhart Architects and a law firm.^[5] Today, it houses the Fifth Third Bank among other financial institutions.

[edit] References

^ "Lexington Financial Center." Webb Companies. 11 Nov. 2006. [1].
^ "Lexington Financial Center." Emporis. 19 Oct. 2006 [2].
^ Duke, Jacqueline. "Marketplace, office tower planned Webb project will replace the Galleria." 2 Oct. 1984. Herald-Leader [Lexington]. 5 Dec. 2006.
^ Gaines, John. "Webbs Announce Plans for 3-story Office Building." 27 Oct. 1984. Herald-Leader [Lexington]. 5 Dec. 2006.
^ Honeycutt, Valarie. "Projects large and small creating downtown Lexington of the future." 30 Nov. 1986. Herald-Leader [Lexington]. 10 Nov. 2006.