New Chamber Building Opens Next Week

The Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center will officially open the doors of its new Main Street office Monday.

“When the sun hits the tin roof on the Visitors Center, I can’t help but say it’s a crowning achievement for our chamber’s growth and progress,” said Randy Halfacre, president/CEO of the Greater Lexington Chamber & Vistors Center. “I’m calling it our ‘Tower for Tourism.’”

The Visitors Center, at 800 square feet, is significantly larger than the former one, which was 300 square feet. Its tower, which is the building’s distinctive design element, inspired Halfacre’s other moniker for the new office: “Lexington’s Beacon for Business.”

Designed by Lexington architect Craig Otto and built by Lexington contractor North Lake Construction, the new $1 million building is 7,000 square feet total. Its exterior features deep red “Old Madison” brick from Boral Brick, Charleston Green Bermuda shutters, and wood siding in a shade of dark coral called Spiced Cider.

“It’s Lexington’s new landmark,” said Mike Flack, the chamber’s board chair.

The chamber’s new location at 311 West Main Street increases visibility for visitors and newcomers to the growing town. The building includes a 1,710- square-foot community room sponsored by Agape Senior Care, adjacent catering kitchen, 600-square-foot board room and a 52-space landscaped parking lot. A small “Cogitation Room” will be used for meetings and brainstorming sessions.

The building represents several years of fundraising and planning. Significant financial contributions were made by Agape Senior, BlueCross BlueShield, Comporium, Lexington Medical Center, Michelin, and Prysmian Cables & Systems. Financing was provided by First Community Bank.

As with architect Craig Otto and contractor Royce Lehman of North Lake Construction, professionals helping with the new building are chamber members. Green Earth Services and Pinestraw Place created the landscaping plan; Zeescapes provided irrigation. Carpet One supplied and installed carpet, flooring and tile. Comporium is providing telephone service and wiring. All Concepts Electric Co. is doing the electrical work.

Chris Metz, a Lexington interior designer, chose an “earthy” palette of blues and browns for the Visitors Center, Board Room, Agape Community Room and staff offices.

The president’s office and adjoining staff conference room are a shade of deep gray-green Halfacre calls “Corporate Deep Charcoal Green.”

“It’s everything from the coast to the mountains, heading straight through Lexington,” Metz explained. “I didn’t want a nautical look because we’re on the lake, not the ocean.”

Her aim was a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. “It’s welcoming, not stuffy or overdone,” she said. “We want people to come and say, ‘This is a place I can live; this is a place I can work.’ We want them to feel at home in our friendly Lexington community.”

Halfacre said he felt “a sense of exhilaration” when the tin roof was put on the Visitors Center. “I really see the fruits of all our planning and work that started with our groundbreaking late last September finally coming together. I’m ecstatic, but tired.”

Submitted by Aida Rogers, Vistors and Information Coordinator for the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce.