Global design and architecture firm Populous has been appointed to design a wide-ranging renovation of Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.
Keeneland officials have announced plans for major capital investment projects, which will be headlined by the construction of a permanent paddock building and a reimagined saddling experience.
As lead architect, Populous will carry out exterior and interior architecture and design, landscape design and experiential branding for the project.
The paddock building will be located alongside the Keeneland Paddock and Walking Ring, and will enhance the viewing and dining experiences available to guests during the racecourse’s two signature meets. The building will also be used at other events held throughout the year.
Keeneland’s saddling stalls will be repositioned to maximise safety for horses and jockeys and to give fans an “unmatched” view of the saddling paddock. Construction is scheduled to begin in January following the conclusion of Keeneland’s January Horses of All Ages Sale, and it is hoped the project will be completed in the autumn of 2025.
The three-level building is planned in the current footprint of the Keeneland administrative building and jockeys quarters, and will extend the entire length of the paddock and walking ring. The new venue will feature ticketed experiences, traditional sit-down dining, new bar concepts and a panoramic rooftop.
The paddock building will include a reconfigured east gate entrance that will align with Keeneland Boulevard while expanding the area inside the gates around the venue’s historic sycamore tree. A new jockeys quarters will be housed within the building, allowing fans to watch them as they walk directly through the venue before each race.
To accommodate the paddock building, a two-storey operations building is set to be built within walking distance of the race track. The facility will enable Keeneland to consolidate business and operations teams under one roof in an updated work environment. Plans are also in development for an on-site visitors centre.
Keeneland opened in 1936 and hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2015, 2020 and 2022. The track’s grounds were designated a national historic landmark in 1986.
Mason Paoli, principal and interior design director at Populous, said: “Keeneland is a national treasure and Populous is honoured to support the emerging needs of horsemen and guests through these thoughtful design solutions while creating a new vantage point for future generations to enjoy all that Keeneland has to offer.
“This project offers a unique opportunity to combine our deep background in the sports, entertainment and hospitality sectors to create these one-of-a-kind spaces for fans and patrons in reverence to the horse, further extending Keeneland’s timeless mission and legacy in the sport.”
Keeneland president and chief executive Shannon Arvin added: “Keeneland’s founding mission is to be a model race track, to invest in the future of our sport, to enrich our Central Kentucky community and to always do what is best for the horse.
“This project is central to our mission because it will allow us to welcome more fans and give them a variety of world-class experiences during our race meets and beyond. The improvements to our saddling processes are not only functional in providing more space for horses and horsemen, but the results will offer unobstructed views to showcase the beauty and pageantry of our equine and human athletes.”
Earlier this week, private equity firm Providence Equity Partners acquired a minority stake in Populous. Populous said the deal will allow it to broaden its reach and pursue both organic and inorganic growth opportunities globally.
The Providence deal was announced on Tuesday after Monday’s news that Pennsylvania State University had selected Populous to design a wide-ranging multi-year renovation of Beaver Stadium, the second largest stadium in the US.
