(Keeneland photo)
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Deanbuilds, a Lexington-based company, has been selected as the construction management firm at the reins of Keeneland’s capital project. Keeneland, Lexington’s thoroughbred racetrack, is planning a $93 million expansion, including new permanent seating and dining areas and a visitors center for the first time.
Keeneland officials last October announced plans for major capital investment projects highlighted by constructing a permanent Paddock Building and a reimagined saddling experience. Located alongside the Keeneland Paddock and Walking Ring, the new Paddock Building will expand viewing and dining experiences available to the public during Keeneland’s two signature race meets, enhance hospitality during Keeneland’s Thoroughbred auctions and provide exceptional new venues for special events year-round. Furthering Keeneland’s culture of equine safety, the saddling stalls will be repositioned to provide the safest environment possible for equine and human participants and to give fans an unmatched view of the Saddling Paddock.
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2024 after Keeneland’s January Horses of All Ages Sale. Plans are to complete the project in the Fall of 2025. Keeneland’s race meets and sales will continue at full capacity during construction.
Established in 2010, Deanbuilds has worked with some deep-rooted customers in the Central Kentucky community, such as Town Branch Park, Sayre School, Lexington Catholic, and Midway University.
“We started with an idea of creating customers for life. With each customer, our number one goal is to provide a superior project experience,” said Blanton Coates, vice president of business development and preconstruction at Deanbuilds. “The opportunity to build upon such an impressive landmark in Lexington with this project is one that our team does not take lightly.”
Deanbuilds also announced that construction has officially commenced. The on-site work is in phase one of construction and currently includes establishing underground utilities, grading, and earthwork.
Rendering by architectural design firm, Populous.
“This is an opportunity to work with a historic location that has its roots firmly set in Fayette County. Our team understands what Keeneland means to the community,” said David Dean, Founder & President of Deanbuilds. “The team that we’ve built to run this job is highly focused in meeting the expectations of our customer.”
Originally announced in October 2023, this series of unprecedented upgrades is the first construction project of its size at Keeneland since it was established in 1936.
This capital investment project features the construction of a new Operations Building and a permanent Paddock Chalet with a reimagined saddling experience. To see more plan details, see the Keeneland project announcement.
Deanbuilds is a commercial and industrial construction company based in Lexington, KY. Services include construction management, general contracting, and design-build. The company is licensed in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and West Virginia. For more information, visit www.deanbuilds.com.
