Opposition to Core Spaces’ Hub Development

(E. Maxwell and Rose block)

Update (March 31, 2026): Join Aylesford Action and the Aylesford Place Neighborhood Association for a community meeting on April 7, 6 pm, at Kentucky Native Café to discuss the state of the Hub project on the corner of Maxwell and Rose. We invite anyone interested in preservation, affordable neighborhoods, or private equity’s takeover of Lexington real estate to attend!Last fall, Blue Grass Trust successfully partnered with Aylesford Action and members of the Aylesford Place Neighborhood Association to challenge the rezoning of the northwest block of Rose and Maxwell that contains 12 National Register-listed properties. Core Spaces, a national private equity firm, had intended to build an 8-story, private dormitory on the parcel; this would have been the third such project on a three-block span of Maxwell, following the Stavroff and Subtext developments. In an 8-7 vote, the Council ruled against the rezoning, citing the loss of historic, affordable housing and the site’s proximity to the Aylesford H-1 overlay district.We anticipated that this would not be the end of the debacle. And sure enough, we have learned that Core Spaces intends to purchase all of the buildings on that block this June. No new plans have been filed. The APNA contacted Core Spaces’ lawyer for clarification and did not receive a response. We therefore surmise that Core Spaces may demolish all of the properties in this area and then request the zone change again, which would be an unprecedented maneuver that undermines the Council’s authority. During this community meeting, we will identify strategies and opportunities for collaboration to preserve this threatened section of Aylesford and prevent the displacement of its residents.

Update (November 5): Over the past several months, the Blue Grass Trust and the Aylesford Action community group have been tirelessly challenging the rezoning of E. Maxwell and Rose that would result the destruction of twelve National Register-listed properties. Thankfully, our efforts have paid off, as the City Council overwhelmingly voted to hold a public hearing on the rezoning that is scheduled for November 19 at 5 pm (Government Center). 

Lexington residents: Please consider attending this hearing and contributing three-minute public comment or contacting your councilmembers beforehand to signal your opposition to the rezoning. To assist with this campaign, BGT has drawn up a list of talking points. We will be offering a virtual strategy session on November 13 at 7 pm on Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/szp-smoq-wyc. Aylesford Action will also be hosting in-person prep meetings at the Kentucky Native Cafe on November 11 and 18 at 5 pm.

Only last week, Findorff, a Wisconsin-based builder that has worked with developer Core Spaces on similar projects, applied for numerous demolition permits in the project area. Core Spaces does not actually own any of these properties, which are still inhabited; it is unclear if residents have even been notified of a looming mass eviction. Although it is highly unlikely that Core Spaces will pursue a development there if the zoning reverts to R-4, they appear to be threatening to level the entire block regardless of the Council’s ruling. The ethics of this are obviously questionable

If you are concerned about the rampant destruction of historic Aylesford, the loss of affordable housing in Lexington and resultant displacement, or private equity firms' manipulation of the local real estate sector, now is the time to speak up!  

Update (October 15):We have received word that the Council will vote on holding a hearing on the rezoning at the October 21st work session (3 pm, Government Center). Be sure to have letters to your councilmembers submitted by then! Community members may also offer public comment for 3 minutes apiece at the beginning of the work session. If you are interested in delivering public comment, consider focusing on broad issues such as:

  • The loss of affordable (missing middle) housing options and the displacement of the block’s current residents

  • The lack of outreach to affected students, in particular, during the pre-development process

  • The frequency of these rezonings and the combined impacts of the already-approved The Maxwell and Subtext projects

  • The takeover of Lexington’s real estate by national private equity companies

Update (October 1): Despite the overwhelming response to our advocacy efforts, the Planning Commission approved the rezoning of the block bounded by E. Maxwell and Rose. This decision was not unanimous or surprising, and BGTis urging Lexingtonians to immediately contact their councilmembers and Hannah LeGris, Aylesford’s elected representative, to request a Council hearing on the rezoning.For technical reasons, try to couch your letter as a request for a public hearing rather than a critique of the rezoning itself.

While there are numerous comprehensive plan goals and Placebuilder recommendations that support historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and compatible design, this rezoning widely disregards these guidelines. The twelve National Register-listed properties in the project area mostly date to the 1920s and represent some of the city’s earliest purpose-built, multi-family housing. Both Bettie Kerr, the director of Lexington’s preservation office, and Craig Potts, the State Historic Preservation Officer, submitted materials to the Planning Commission that emphasized the significance of these tax credit-eligible assets.

Commissioners Davis and Michler, who voted against the rezoning, concurred that this unique site was distinct from the neighboring tracts on E. Maxwell that have been or will be razed for The Maxwell and Subtext developments. They were also concerned that the Commission was barreling ahead with the rezoning before the traffic and infrastructural impacts of these other massive complexes were fully known. Other commissioners regretted that the city government could not apply pressure on the University of Kentucky to sufficiently develop its own land for student residences. They therefore felt compelled to approve any housing projects that would reduce this pressure, regardless of the location or community opposition.

We warmly thank the neighborhood residents – and students in particular – who delivered some highly compelling and moving public comment at the Commission meeting.