Turf Town Real Estate Blog

Bell Court is a neighborhood located in downtown Lexington.  Its borders are East Main Street, Walton Avenue, Midland Avenue, and Boonesborough Avenue.  The neighborhood was developed in the early 1900’s as a middle class neighborhood near the heart of downtown.  Residents of this neighborhood then and now often walked to their jobs downtown.  The neighborhood is made up of 157 buildings, almost all of which are residential.  The center of this neighborhood is the historic Bell Place.  The Greek Revival and Romanesque style home was designed by the famed Lexington architect, Thomas Lewinski and was completed by 1926.  Bell Place was donated to the city of Lexington in 1940 and is used as a public park to this day.  The oldest home in the neighborhood is Clay Villa, built in 1846 for James B. Clay, son of statesman, Henry Clay. 

Most of the homes in this neighborhood are Victorian or Queen Anne styles, but some Arts and Crafts examples can be found.  The area is best explored by foot, so that the architecture of each home can be more leisurely enjoyed.  The entire neighborhood was placed on the National Historic Register in 1982 and many homes have been individually recognized as well.

Established in 1962, the neighborhood association has a long history of volunteer efforts to revitalize this and other downtown neighborhoods.  A very family centered neighborhood, the association holds many events throughout the year for residents and their families, most notably, the Bell Court Porch Party, held annually to raise funds for neighborhood projects.  

Bell Court is also home to the Studio House Players who perform in the Carriage House located behind the Bell House.  Studio Players is an all-volunteer community theatre group established in 1953.  The only paid positions are for musical director and musicians hired for musicals.  The Studio House Players, the city government, the neighborhood association, and long time patron of the arts, Lucille Little, worked together for many years to make the Carriage House into the space it is today.  For more information on upcoming plays and musicals, visit the Studio Players’ website at www.studioplayers.org.   

Bell Court is a very close knit neighborhood home to many young families.  It is not unusual to see neighbors catching up on the days’ news while their children play in the yard.  Sports of various types are played on the Bell House lawn while neighbors look on.  Bell Court is an oasis in the bustle of downtown….mature trees, spacious homes, and the convenience of downtown walking distance away…..once you move in here, you’ll never want to leave!

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