Joseph & Joseph Architects has been designing bourbon distilleries for 100+ years. Today is no different except many of our current distilleries make bourbon as well as moonshine, gin and vodka. Our long, rich history allows us to combine experience and the latest technology. The founders’ principles of quality and integrity are the basis of our business.
We serve clients in the public and private sectors, and have completed work in the distillery, healthcare, education, institutional, commercial and residential fields. We also have expertise in historic preservation.
Founded in 1908, our firm is proud that we have open-end contracts that have been in effect since 1935. We feel our clients’ trust reflects our ability to meet their changing needs. In fact, over 80% of our business comes from satisfied, returning clients.
100+ Years of Distillery Design – A Sampling of our History
Four Roses Distillery
The building was one of the first designs by Joseph & Joseph Architects in 1910. The distillery originally opened as the Old Prentice Distillery, was owned by J.T.S. Brown in McBrayer, Kentucky. The building, on the National Register of Historic Places, now houses the Four Roses brand. We are involved in the 2016 Four Roses Distillery expansion to double capacity.
Stitzel Weller Distillery
This distillery complex was said to have opened on Derby Day 1935 in Shively, Kentucky. At the time the complex included a distillery and nine barrel rick houses. The complex is now owned by the Diageo brand and is home to Bulleit Bourbon.
Seagram Distillery
This distillery complex originally opened in 1937 to a crowd of over 71,000 people. The distillery was claimed to be the largest distillery in the world at the time. The complex of buildings included a main office building surrounded by warehouses and production facilities. The complex was interconnected by underground tunnels to facilitate the movement of bourbon.
Some of Today’s Distillery Projects
Today’s project range in size from 5,000 sq. ft. startup craft spirits maker’s to large 90,000 sq. ft. distilleries.
Lux Row Distillers
In May 2016 Luxco’s Chairman & CEO Donn Lux and President & COO David Bratcher broke ground on Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky. The 70 acre property includes several barns, an 18th-century National Historic Place stone house and now an 18,000-square-foot distillery with barrel warehouses, a visitor center, tasting room and event space.
Jeptha Creed Distillery
Located outside of Shelbyville, KY this new rural distillery opened in September 2016. Joseph & Joseph Architects designed the 15,500 sq. ft. facility to include a full distillery from grain milling through bottling. The distillery production area is designed to include 4 1,000 gallon fermenters and a 12 inch column still and to allow for future growth and diversification of products. Also in the main building is a retail space, tasting room and event space. The stone base and wood siding design was intended to reflect the rural setting, tucked into a wooded area at the top of a hill. The long term project also includes a five barrel warehouses, an amphitheater, and a large event space.
Four Roses Bourbon
Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky is doubling the size of their distillery and has chosen Joseph & Joseph to be the architects for the project. Having designed the original distillery building in 1910, we are proud to be returning to Four Roses for this expansion. The project will be an opportunity to bring the entire campus back to its architectural glory, increase production of this world-class product and enhance the visitor experience.
This $34-million expansion will include a duplicate column still and more fermenters. With the second column still, capacity is scheduled to increase to about 8 million proof-gallons, enough to fill more than 211,000 barrels a year. The new expansion will be a phased project and is expected to be fully completed in 2018.
Bardstown Bourbon Company
One of the newest stops on the world famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail is Bardstown Bourbon Company. The new 37,000 sq. ft. distillery sits on 100 acres of active farmland, offers wholesale customers the opportunity to create custom, authentic, Kentucky whiskey products. The program promises to expand the explosive growth of the craft distilling industry by providing craft distillers and brand owners high-quality whiskey to strengthen their supply. The distillery is designed to easily expand as production grows.
The building design is a groundbreaking modern design incorporating the traditional bourbon materials in a modern fashion. Visitors will notice each phase of bourbon production is fully transparent and visible. The center of the building is a 55’ tall still tower clad in limestone panels, natural wood and glass. Each wing of the building radiates out into the landscape from the still tower embracing the rural Kentucky landscape. Visitors will notice the bourbon-making process was laid out with them in mind, offering a unique visitor experience in this groundbreaking “Bourbon Industrial Tourism Experience” and full service restaurant.
The initial 1.5 million proof gallon capacity distillery has expanded twice since its opening and can now produce 6 million proof gallons per year.
Kentucky Peerless Distilling
In this 42,800 sq. ft. artisan distillery located in a restored 1912 tobacco warehouse, visitors can see where corn, barley and rye are delivered, milled, fermented and then processed through the custom-designed 26-ft. column still, barreled and eventually bottled. Founder Corky Taylor and his son Carson are
Fourth- and fifth-generation descendants of Peerless’ founder Henry Kraver, where they combine history and technology to bring back this esteemed brand. They have room onsite for up to 1,800 53 gallon barrels.
Michter’s Distillery & Tour Center
Michter’s has two distilleries. They are restoring a 20,000 sq. ft. 4-story historic building on Louisville’s Historic Whiskey Row, which will be home to their urban bourbon distillery. This project includes extensive structural modifications to allow for a fully functioning distillery. Included in the design are two replica 18th century pot stills, fermenting tank, barrel filling, a tour mezzanine through the distillery, barrel storage area, bottling line, gift shops and tasting area.
The tour experience will wind throughout the distillery, educating the visitor about each step, from grain handling through barrel storage and bottling. Throughout the facility there will be interactive exhibits that will allow visitors to learn about each step of the bourbon distillation.
Joseph & Joseph also designed Michter’s new 65,000-sq.-ft. production facility in Shively, Kentucky.
Angel’s Envy Distillery & Tourist Center
The 90,000 sq. ft. Angel’s Envy Distillery & Tourist Center site – a 19th century building known as the old Vermont American Complex is located on the other end of Whiskey Row. The new distillery includes a column still, a bottling line, grain handling equipment and barrel storage areas. The 43-ft. copper still will be visible through large arched windows to interstate traffic. Exposed brick and a newly-constructed wood beam ceiling will greet visitors as they walk into the distillation room, where there’s space to install additional fermenting tanks as the company grows. The distillery is also being designed to make a unique and attractive experience for public tours.
Willett Distillery – Kentucky Bourbon Distillers
When Kentucky Bourbon Distillers decided to re-imagine and restore their current campus as a destination for visitors Joseph & Joseph Architects was commissioned as the project architect.
Bujan Family Distillery
The Bujan Family Distillery will be one of the newest distilleries in the state of Texas. The 5,000 square foot building project happening in Flatina takes advantage of one of the towns historic buildings and the unique lattice truss structure. The building will be open for tours and contain a retail area.
