Former home of bourbon great EH Taylor turned into boutique Ky. hotel
When Tyler Bromagen first laid eyes on the house at 300 Washington St. in Frankfort, Kentucky, he didn’t have plans to turn it into a boutique hotel. In fact, he never even imagined purchasing the historic Federal abode.
Bromagen just happened to be touring other available properties in the area when a friend mentioned that the former home of E.H. Taylor — the founder of Old Taylor and O.F.C. distilleries, which later evolved into what is now Buffalo Trace — was on the market and suggested they check it out.
"I was like, ‘I’m not going to buy it, but I’d love to see it,'" Bromagen recalled.
Preserving the past
Bromagen quickly changed his tune upon setting foot on the property.
“It’s just a gorgeous building,” he exclaimed, adding that the 200-year-old home’s foundation was solid, despite years of neglect. “It was in incredible condition as far as the bones go. And for me, it was more about the property itself and the history of the property that attracted me to it.”
He explains that the home was built in 1815, and Dr. Preston Brown — brother to Sen. John Brown, who constructed Liberty Hall, also in Frankfort — was its first owner and resident.
Today, the building is commonly referred to as the Swigert-Taylor-Bradley House. This name comes from Jacob Swigert, a prominent local attorney who added a Greek Revival-style part of the dwelling between 1843 and 1845; Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr., who owned and occupied the house until around 1874, when he sold it to Judge W.P.D. Bush; and Union Army Major William Edward Bradley, who moved to Frankfort in 1891 and lived in the home until he died in 1905.
“President Woodrow Wilson even stayed in the house at one point,” Bromagen added, saying he felt the need to preserve such a beautiful piece of Kentucky history, and eventually landed on the idea of a boutique lodging experience.
After about four years of renovations and interior design help from Natalie Officer of Natalie O Design, Bromagen opened The Ashbrook Hotel in December 2024. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was declared an American Treasure by the Save America’s Treasures grant program.
Sunroom and subtle details
The hotel offers a variety of rooms, including the Grand King Suite, which features a queen-size pull-out sofa bed, a dining table, and a TV in the main living area. In the bedroom, guests will find a king-size bed, another TV, and a coffee station, while the bathroom boasts a walk-in shower and double vanity sinks. The standout feature of the suite, however, is its private balcony.
The Grand King Suite features a king-size bed, a separate sitting area, and a private balcony overlooking the courtyard at The Ashbrook Hotel in Frankfort, Kentucky.
“I call it the sunroom suite,” Bromagen said, adding that what appears to be a window on one side of the room is the entryway into another spacious area. “(There are) beautiful glass panels, and it overlooks the courtyard.”
He adds that like the fireplace in the Grand King Suite, all the fireplaces in the home are original — but restoring them was no easy feat.
“Some of the pieces had fallen off,” Bromagen explained, “and just to find the matching tile, we had to go to salvage lots.”
The Grand King Suite’s private balcony overlooks the hotel’s courtyard at The Ashbrook Hotel in Frankfort, Kentucky.
He also faced challenges with the leaded glass windows and the wainscoting. Now fully restored, the windows’ hallmark waviness and wainscoting’s intricate details add to the home’s historic appeal.
“I thought it was pressed metal,” Bromagen said of the decorative paneling. When pieces of it started to flake off, he realized it was lincrusta, a pressed-oil wall covering invented in 1877 and commonly used in high-end historic homes.
“It’s an incredible material,” he exclaimed. “It’s all of those little details that really make this place.”
Rooted in regional charm
In addition to 14 rooms, the hotel features a full bar and a restaurant, both open to the public.
The Ashbrook Restaurant offers ample seating, accommodating up to 70 guests at The Ashbrook Hotel in Frankfort, Kentucky.
The eatery, dubbed The Ashbrook Restaurant, offers southern comfort food such as deviled eggs, shrimp and grits, and blackened catfish in a space that seats 65 to 70 guests.
The dining room boasts marble fireplaces, Kentucky-made wooden chairs, and a custom mural by a local artist. Its aesthetic carefully balances historic charm with hints of modern design.
Al fresco seating leads to the courtyard, which Bromagen plans to use more once the weather warms up.
Guests can sample rare bourbons at the bar and will be able to purchase bottles directly on site this spring at The Ashbrook Hotel in Frankfort, Kentucky.
“We’re going to be adding some fire pits (and) lawn games,” he said, adding that the outdoor space can also be tented and used for private events. “I also want to bring in a projector and do summer movies for the locals.”
He explains that as the Kentucky Bourbon Trail crowd dwindles during cooler weather, so do bookings — but there have been lots of locals stopping by to show their support.
“I’m looking to pivot (and) market more toward the locals and offer fun, cool experiences … to thank them a bit and bring them in,” he said. “This does feel like a home… and I think that certain people really appreciate that.”
Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at [email protected] or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at [email protected].
nuts & bolts
Owners: Tyler and Caroline Bromagen. Tyler is a real estate entrepreneur and Caroline is a co-owner of The Ashbrook Hotel.
Home: This is a 9,500-square-foot, federal-style home with Greek Revival and late Victorian elements. It was built in 1815 and is now a 14-room boutique hotel.
Distinctive elements: Original inlaid cherry floor; curled banister newel; embossed walls; bourbon bar with walnut front handcrafted by woodworker Drew Straton; mint marble bar top; penny copper bar stools; wall mural by Kelly Zeller; original fireplaces in guest rooms.
Applause! Applause! Natalie Officer of Natalie O Design for interior design, and William Ryan for hotel development assistance.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Former home of bourbon great E.H. Taylor turned into boutique Ky. hotel
