Over the decades, many historic buildings in Louisville have suffered from fires, tornadoes, floods, and the ravages of time. Many of the old buildings in downtown have gone into various states of disrepair, though efforts have been made to renovate and restore many of the historic buildings. One building that has withstood is the St Charles Building.
Located on 7th Street downtown, the St Charles Building was built in 1832 and was home to the St Charles Hotel. The building, located near the river, was at the time part of the independent town of Portland, Kentucky before it was later annexed into the city of Louisville. The hotel accommodated those making their way down the Ohio River and was praised as a luxurious place to rest. Unfortunately, following World War II, business dried up for the hotel.
For several decades the building remained vacant but remained well maintained. In 2012 the St Charles Exchange restaurant was opened in the building. The decor is early twentieth century and the owners have worked hard to maintain the atmosphere of the hotel's heyday. The restaurant has breathed new life into a building that is rich in history and has withstood the test of time.
