By Philip Case
It’s been called the “Queen of the Corner,” and the name still fits.
Walking up the stone steps and through the huge double doors of The Ashbrook Hotel in the heart of downtown Frankfort at the intersection of Main Street and Washington, gives one the feeling of stepping back into the elegance of the 19th century.
Lovingly restored and modernized, the three-story building has been a home, offices and now a 14-room hotel. The oldest section of “The Queen” was started in 1815 by Dr. Preston Brown and it was later owned by Col. E.H. Taylor, founder of Buffalo Trace Distillery.
Looking at the edifice from the Main Street side, the original 1815 four-room dwelling is clearly visible. According to “A Walking Tour of Historic Frankfort” produced and copyrighted in 2002 with text by Russell Hatter and photos by Gene Burch, “when Jacob Swigert became the owner in the 1840s major additions to the house occurred.”
Sarah Harris, director of sales for Common Bond Hotels which operates The Ashbrook and The Delegate Hotel, said the style of the house is Greek Revival.
The most recent chapter in the storied history came when it was purchased after remaining for sale for several years, was restored and opened in December 2024 as The Ashwood Hotel. The owners of Ashbrook Farm in Fayette County also own the hotel that bears the farm’s name, and The Delegate Hotel.
Touring Ashbrook
The central entry hall, with its 4-foot high pulverized wood wainscoting that is part of the original house, is as wide as the wings to either side, typical of construction in that period. A few steps beyond the entry stand is an elegant stairway leading to the guest rooms in the two stories above. Looking up reminds one of the circular stairs in the Trustees’ House at Shakertown.
One can but imagine who must have climbed those stairs in decades past. In keeping with the character of the house, overnight guests will climb them, too, since all but one of the rooms, and it’s handicapped accessible, are on the second or third floor.
To the left of the entry hall is an elegant sitting room with period furniture and floor-to-ceiling shelves, some with books, others with magazines and, on the far wall, a collection of distinctive boxes that once contained bottles of E.H. Taylor whiskey.
Beyond the library and lounge is a full-service bar complete with unique copper bar chairs.
To the right of the entry hall is the farm-to-table restaurant that offers lunch and dinner. The two large rooms were common in construction of the period, known as the double parlor. The second room opens onto a courtyard with seating for those who prefer alfresco dining when the weather permits.
First Presbyterian Church looms in the distance.
With more than a cursory nod to the modern, original art painted on the walls features depictions of vegetables and flowers in full color.
There is a much bigger-than-life carrot over the fireplace in the front room, with its marble mantel while over the mantel in the adjacent dining room is a collection of large beets.
Eleven of the 14 rooms are in the main house, two in the original 1813 structure, and the handicapped-accessible room on the ground floor. There are five suites and nine standard rooms.
Each features its own brand of elegance and uniqueness. Some offer views of the courtyard, others Main Street and still others Washington Street.
Bill Wegland, of Wegland Ventures, was the architect who guided the renovation.
Pictures elsewhere here capture the spirit of the rooms.
“No expense was spared,” Harris said. Wallpaper in the bathrooms is from England and many feature hand-blown glass light fixtures.
The higher one climbs in The Ashbrook, not unlike the forest growth in the mountains, the terrain changes as the ceilings are lower and the rooms more compact. Every effort was made to retain the character of the original.
Harris said that in a project like this it’s important to appreciate the nuances of a historic, vintage property like The Ashbrook, trying not to overwhelm that with the modern.
Each room in the hotel has it’s own heating and cooling unit, eliminating the need for a central system and the attendant pipes to deliver comfort. Plus, each guest controls his or her environment.
Access to the two guest rooms in the older section offers a bit of a challenge. In the continuing effort to maintain Ashbrook’s character, the steps retain the original pitch and narrow treads.
But the climb is worth the effort.
Harris said this area was likely the servants’ quarters and she describes the cozy feel of the rooms, accentuated by the low ceilings, like a “kiss on the cheek from grandmother.”
As is characteristic of older constructions, the higher you go up, the lower the ceilings become. These have sitting areas overlooking the courtyard on the Broadway side.
Rather than built-in closets, these rooms have free-standing wardrobes.
The plan for Ashbrook
Harris says they would, of course, like to have the rooms filled every night with guests visiting Frankfort but realistically know that’s not possible having been open for just a few months. Word has to get around.
“We think this is a great event space,” she said, “and people can rent all of the rooms for something like a wedding.”
With guest rooms for sleeping, a fine restaurant for meals, a well-stocked bar for socializing and a beautiful courtyard for perhaps a wedding ceremony or business reception, Harris sees endless possibilities.
Harris described the intent as “introducing a new way to view and do hospitality inspired by our legacy being the cornerstone of our future.”
Artists and companies that contributed to the decorating include Kelly Zellers, muralist and framed art installation; Casey Highland, lighting and glass restoration; Red Dog, caned benches and dining room chairs; Daniel Shapiro, coiled pottery lamp in bar; David Searfoss, white oak/walnut side tables and shelves; and Rookwood Tile, bathrooms and fireplaces.
The dining room is open for lunch, Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; dinner, 5-9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday; and brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are accepted.
Rooms are priced competitively. For more information, call 502-803-4284, visit www.ashbrookhotel.com or email team@ashbrookhotel.com.
