HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – A hefty renovation has gutted a building in downtown Hopkinsville in an effort simultaneously create a new upscale cocktail bar and a one-of-a-kind apartment. Nicholas Swiatkowski, one of the building owners, led Christian County Now on a tour of the construction to share not only their vision, but the intricacies of overhauling a historic structure.
“This building has been rock solid,” he said during a walkthrough at the end of August. Constructed over 100 years ago in 1886, the building is part of a strip at 610 South Main Street that is located across the street from the Christian County Courthouse, nearby the popular East Sixth Street that is lined with local businesses and the Alhambra Theater.
He and his husband Bryan purchased the building a few years ago with plans to eventually transform the space, “We saw the potential, and living in some of these other cities like St. Louis and Chicago, you see these lofts and were realized we could do that in this building.”
As part of the project, the previously unutilized second floor is being converted into a living space with upscale finishes and an unexpected layout. The over 2,000 square foot apartment has multiple levels, skylights and quirky historic features. He explained that the entire back wall of the unit had to be rebuilt because it was collapsing and they plan to replace all the windows.
Custom iron stairs are being built to the hidden third level, which he said is his favorite part of the apartment, “We are going to have some seating up there, there’s a wet bar up there and a third bedroom with a third bathroom.”
Building The Detour on Main downstairs
Downstairs is where The Detour will hopefully be open and operational by the end of 2026. Although it is still barebones, the original brick wall and the tin roof are exposed, with work being done to construct a bar that will be the focal point. The space will have a lounge area in the back along with window seating and plenty of bar space, as shown in concept art.
After the couple purchased the building, they eventually linked up with Taylor and Dakota Figueroa, who had previously pursued a bar concept in a different building on South Main Street. Although that project did not pan out, he found that they would be a good match for a new venture downstairs.
This partnership resulted in the development of The Detour on Main, which will have a craft cocktail menu that they hope will compliment restaurants in the surrounding area with the goal of becoming the first or last stop patrons make while exploring downtown.
Additional efforts are being made in downtown Hopkinsville to bring more retail and second story apartments to the area. Directly across the street, an extensive, multi-year restoration is being done at other historic buildings, which will create additional residential and retail spaces.
| RELATED STORY: Restaurant, lounge, retail space, apartments being developed in downtown Hopkinsville