NULU/Downtown

Welcome to NULU/Downtown

For those who wore [insert trendy item] before it was cool, can give directions to the closest speakeasy, or crave the ultimate urban experience, Louisville’s vibrant East Market District and Downtown are dreams come true. Louisville’s East Market District, affectionately dubbed “NULU”, has spent decades in the making, expertly revitalized and beautifully reimagined by local entrepreneurs and business leaders, offering a community of cool, from art galleries to gourmet eateries to luxury condos with rooftop views. Just a moment down the road sits Louisville’s bustling Downtown, featuring the heart of Louisville’s business and hospitality scene, regularly adding new hotels, companies and distilleries to Louisville’s famous skyline.

What to Love

Locally grown

Perhaps the most defining facet of NULU is the neighborhood’s unwavering commitment to the idea of local, from locally sourced farm-to-table menus at Butchertown Grocery to locally produced artisan goods and ware at Clayton and Crume. Offering a highly concentrated community of local storefronts, restaurants, businesses and developments, NULU demonstrates the incredible results of investing in your neighbors. Bonus: NULU’s love of local has created a district founded on sustainability, so for those who love to go green, NULU is the place to be. 

Work hard, play harder

Residents of NULU/Downtown have the rare opportunity to live where they work, offering a unique and appealing lifestyle with nearly non-existent commutes, exciting amenities, upscale art scenes and immediate access to the best happy hours. From Flying Axes, Louisville’s first and only axe-flying venue, to 21C, Louisville’s first and only combined boutique hotel, contemporary art museum and gourmet restaurant, NULU/Downtown offers endless sources of high-end entertainment. Catch awe-inspiring city views at 8UP, Downtown’s hip rooftop bar and restaurant, or explore local favorite, Waterfront Park, featuring the Big 4 Walking Bridge to Indiana, expansive playgrounds and the perfect venue for riverside concerts. Bonus: WFPK Waterfront Wednesdays at the Park offers a free concert series, serving as mini weekly festivals in a family-friendly park setting. 

Let’s play ball

For any sports fanatics, NULU/Downtown will cover the bases. NULU/Downtown is home to Louisville Slugger Field, where you can grab ice-cold brews and a loaded hot dog while you support Louisville’s professional baseball team, the Louisville Bats. NULU/Downtown also features the KFC Yum! Center, a massive indoor arena that calls itself home to the Louisville Cardinals men’s and women’s basketball teams when it’s not holding star-studded concerts. Bonus: Construction is currently underway at Louisville City FC Stadium, the future home of Louisville’s first professional soccer team! 

Food

An ever-increasing number of upscale restaurants, bakeries and coffeeshops have made their way into the NULU/Downtown district, serving up some of Louisville’s most beloved feasts and treats. From Royals Hot Chicken, dishing up arguably the best hot chicken in the city, to Mayan Cafe, offering guests authentic Mayan cuisine with locally-sourced ingredients, gourmets will swoon over the selections in NULU/Downtown. Visit Jeff Ruby’s, renowned as Louisville’s best upscale steakhouse, or grab a cocktail and gourmet grilled cheese in Decca’s Cellar Lounge, an authentic, underground I’m-not-cool-enough-to-be-here type of joint. 

What to Expect

NULU/Downtown features gorgeous homes and condos from $100K to $1-4M. With the oldest homes dating back as early as the 1800’s, many residents own a small piece of history with a renovated shotgun home or German influenced bungalow. New developers have capitalized on the growing movement in NULU/Downtown and several luxury condo developments and high-rises have been built in the past decades, bringing a New York penthouse feel to the area. A small trade off for the urban lifestyle: expect a short drive to any major grocery or big-box store.