Editor's Note: This is the first installment of a periodic series about the next generation of leaders in Lexington. This series is intended to be more than a predictor of who may rise through the ranks to take the reigns of the city in elected office or as a business leader. It is a profile of those in the Generation X and Y crowds who are already taking the initiative in bringing Lexington into the 21st century and beyond.
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Living in an urban setting has always appealed to Robin Schneider, but the 27-year-old Lexington native knew his family business ties would tether him to his hometown, which had relatively little urban living. As a UK student, his "fascination with downtown" lead to an idea: bring the urban life he desires to Lexington.
With that in mind in September 2005, Schneider and his college friend, fellow 2002 UK grad Josh Marrillia, formed Epic Design and Construction, builder of one of the most high-profile projects of the downtown Lexington renaissance, the 500s on Main. Developed by Schneider Designs, a company established by Schneider's father where he serves as a vice president, the 500s is a 65-condo mixed-use complex across from Rupp Arena and a short jaunt to coffee shops, restaurants, bars, retail and, at some point, groceries.
"Our generation specifically understands that it really is about lifestyle," Schneider said. "Where you choose to live is more about lifestyle than it is about the actual house that you're living in. The convenience of living downtown far outweighs some of the value you can get for some of the property that is on the outskirts of town."
He will move into one of four penthouse condos in the 42-unit main building of the 500s, currently nearing the end of construction. Opulent and urban to its core, Schneider's new abode is almost literally the crown jewel of what he and Epic President Marrillia hope will become the feather in the cap of downtown Lexington. Schneider's urban dwelling boasts a bar that can serve people both inside and out on the wrap-around balcony overlooking Main. A glass wall separates the bedroom and shower. And there is a retractable roof directly over his bed. But the space also has amenities common to all of the 500s condos: exposed brick walls with flexible telecommunication outlets, high industrial-style ceilings and, with most units, a private balcony.
Marrillia said his friend and collaborator as well as others with condos on the top floors should be able move in during March while the lower levels, including expansive ground-level retail space, get finishing touches. About two-thirds of the retail space in the first phase will be occupied by a bar, possibly with a club feel, according to Marrillia and Schneider, who recently signed off on a contract for the space.
With the 500s, combined with the eco-friendly NewPast Epic is building nearby on Main toward Newtown Pike, Marrillia and Schneider are helping to establish downtown Lexington as the urban living center that has been drawing people like them to other cities.
"Downtown to me brings opportunities to have interaction with people so much more than suburban America," Marrillia said. "There's places to walk and get a cup of coffee, there's places to walk and go to dinner(and you) inevitably run into someone you know."
Epic's two downtown projects represent part of the recent trend in Lexington and nationwide for developers to curtail urban sprawl and start looking in toward the city's core for underutilized and undeveloped land in otherwise high use areas that lack residents. Becoming a new part of an established area presents Epic with unique opportunities and challenges.
"With downtown Lexington you're able to be a part of buildings that are going to shape the community for decades if not centuries to come. And there is a tremendous responsibility that comes with thatthe 500s on Main will define that neighborhood for decades and decades to come. It is so rewarding that in 50 years I can drive my kids by there and say I built that," said the 27-year-old Marrillia.
But constructing a series of buildings, especially one as complex as the first phase, in a confined area on one of Lexington's busiest streets calls for innovation. With that in mind, Schneider Designs, along with its family companies Epic and Infinity Realty Consultants, recently moved into the top two floors of a building in a new office park Schneider is building on Wellington Way.
"There's a level of creativity that is contagious. That's one of the reasons why we all wanted to be under the same roof here. We're able to thrive off each other's energy and ideas and creativity. What may sound like a totally absurd idea to some one else, we kick it around enough here to make it work," Marrillia said.
Marrillia and Schneider said centers of population like the 500s and NewPast represent a necessary step to attract larger retailers such as grocers to open up and make any downtown a full-service urban life center.
Despite these heady accomplishments so early in life, Schneider and Marrillia don't consider themselves leaders by being on the forefront of this movement — they see themselves as opportunities.
"The beauty of being young and kind of having those ideas, Josh and I really had nothing to lose, (so we decided) let's go down there and make a run out of it," Schneider said. "We don't want to be the next leaders, but we want to be the next doers."
But continuing to do in the inner core of Lexington, and possibly other markets, will at least be the philosophy that leads Epic. "Our bread and butter is always going to be urban construction," Marrillia said.
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