Louisville’s Merchant’s Ice Tower, at 801 Logan Street in Smoketown, has served as a brewery, an ice and cold-storage facility, and—through a separate renovation on the property—a home for Trellis Brewing. A larger redevelopment of the 13-story tower was proposed in 2023, but the available reporting does not confirm whether that project is now under construction or complete.
What is Merchant’s Ice Tower?
Merchant’s Ice Tower is a 13-story industrial building at 801 Logan Street in Louisville’s Smoketown neighborhood. Its history reflects the changing needs of the city’s businesses: brewing, then ice production and cold storage. The tower has also become part of a wider adaptive-reuse effort on the property, although the completed brewery renovation and the proposed tower redevelopment are distinct projects.
How the property changed from brewing to ice
A PEOPLE feature published October 5, 2026, summarizes earlier Louisville reporting on the site’s industrial history. It says Schaefer-Meyer Brewing Company owned the property from at least 1890 to 1912, followed by Fehr Brewing Company. During the Prohibition period, Merchant’s Ice and Cold Storage reportedly bought and converted the building for ice production and cold storage. These dates describe the feature’s account of prior reporting; the underlying historical records are not established in the coverage cited here. PEOPLE’s feature
Accounts also use different dates for the building’s construction. WLKY reported in December 2022 that Jefferson County property records listed a 1895 construction year. The same report noted that Louisville Business First had described the cold-storage facility as built in 1920. Those dates may refer to different parts or phases of the property, but the reporting does not resolve the distinction, so they should not be collapsed into one definitive date. WLKY’s report on the tower’s size and age
#1 Best Overall
- By Vikki Tobak
- Hardcover
- 388 pages
- Imprint: Taschen
What happened to the property after its industrial use?
In 2020, the 13-story building and two adjacent buildings reportedly sold at online auction for about $905,000. That sale price is reported by the October 2026 PEOPLE feature, which cites WHAS11; it applies to the group of three buildings, not the tower alone. PEOPLE’s feature
Trellis Brewing opened in a former cooler on the property
One part of the property has already been reused. Trellis Brewing opened in 2024 in a former warehouse and cooler after a three-year renovation, WLKY reported. The brewery uses Kentucky grain and corn from southern Indiana. Co-owner and founder Kyle Jahn described the building’s condition before renovation: “It was an office building, that was formerly a cooler. It had water leaking through the ceiling everywhere. So it’s been a long road, but a very enjoyable one for sure.” WLKY’s report on Trellis Brewing’s opening
Rank #2
- 【LED-LIT BOOKSHELF MASTERPIECE】Bring your bookshelf to life with this book nook kit with LED light — warm glow illuminates 10 iconic world landmarks (Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty & more). Powered by USB-C or AAA.
- 【236 PRECISION WOODEN PIECES】A satisfying DIY miniature house kit for adults & teens. 236 laser-cut pieces snap together with a precise fit — no tools needed. Perfect 3D bookshelf insert decor for book lovers.
- 【10+ WORLD LANDMARKS IN ONE SET】From the Eiffel Tower to the Statue of Liberty, this mini book nook for adults features 10 iconic landmarks in intricate detail. A unique miniature house kit that doubles as stunning bookshelf decor.
- 【ECO-FRIENDLY & SAFE MATERIALS】Crafted from eco-friendly wood with smooth edges — safe for adults. Compact size (approx. 7.3 x 4.75 x 9.3 in) fits standard bookshelves perfectly.
- 【PERFECT GIFT FOR TRAVEL & BOOK LOVERS】Whether for birthdays, holidays, or housewarmings, this DIY book nook kit is the ultimate gift for travel lovers and book enthusiasts. Includes step-by-step illustrated manual.
What was proposed for the 13-story tower?
In January 2023, WLKY reported that Beargrass Development was planning a $70 million mixed-use redevelopment of the tower. The proposal included retail on the ground floor and offices above; a rooftop restaurant was under consideration, not confirmed as part of a final project. Beargrass Development partner James Duffy estimated at the time that completion was three to five years away. That was a forecast made in 2023, not a current construction schedule. WLKY’s report on the redevelopment plan
Duffy also pointed to the sustainability value of retaining an existing structure: “It’s one of the best things that we can do, is preserve an existing historic building, from a sustainability standpoint.” The available coverage does not establish the tower’s present construction status, whether the proposal has changed, or whether the rooftop restaurant will proceed.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
What visitors should know
Trellis Brewing is reported open on the property, but that does not mean the tower itself is open for public tours or visits. The cited coverage does not provide public-access information for the tower. Check with the brewery directly for its current visitor details rather than assuming access to the historic building.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
