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In the Neighborhood
The Golden Anniversary
Hanover Towers, on the corner of East Main Street and South Hanover Avenue, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a ceremony this month, during which time the Blue Grass Trust will officially designate it as a historic location.
The ceremony will feature speeches from local dignitaries, a public tour of several condos with varying floor plans and a plaque presentation by the Blue Grass Trust. Speakers at the event will include Mayor Jim Gray and city district councilmember Bill Farmer Jr.
“Fifty years ago Hanover Towers reshaped Lexington's skyline,” Farmer said. “As we celebrate the veneration and revitalization of this residence, we now truly value how special a place it is to call home.”
Located in historic Ashland Park, Hanover Towers was constructed in 1964, making it the first high-rise apartment building in Lexington. It is the oft-referred to home of Harriett Rose, the longtime “Observations” columnist for this magazine.
Hanover Park, just east of the towers, was designed by the Olmstead brothers, who also designed Central Park in New York City.
“It’s a very unique setting, and a very unique part of Lexington,” said Carolyn Siegel, a member of the Hanover Towers Condominium Association board who is helping organize the anniversary event. “It has the same feel that you would expect from a building that was built in 1964.”
Bob Sessum, the vice chairman of the board and president of the Ashland Neighborhood Association, stresses that though tours of the rooms will be provided, the event is not being used as an advertisement for the condos, but rather as a celebration of the building’s rich history.
“We’re interested in reviewing some of the history and letting people see it, and also to promote the fact that it has gone through 50 years, is well established, well recognized, and that we are a condominium of all ages and welcome all people to go there,” said Sessum.
“Many of the residents here are also very active in the Ashland Park Neighborhood Association,” said Siegel. “It’s not just that this is a building standing by itself; we are an integral part of the neighborhood.”
A key feature of the event will be the presence of a “remembrance book” –– a collection of photographs, newspaper clippings and memories of Hanover Towers throughout the past 50 years.
Marie Tychonievich, who has lived in Hanover Towers for three years, is putting this book together.
“[Tychonievich] has really uncovered fascinating little tidbits, which I think add to the historical significance of this building,” said Siegel. “It really has seen some very interesting tenants over the years and very interesting activities.”
Some of those fascinating tidbits include the fact that milk used to be delivered on every floor to the “milk room,” where tenants would then pick up their delivery. Today, those rooms are used for recycling. In addition, Tychonievich revealed that when the very first people moved into the building in 1964, there were no front doors.
Tychonievich offers testimony to the enjoyable lifestyle Hanover Towers continually provides, which is only made richer by its growing historical significance.
“I didn’t realize life could be so easy,” she said. “It’s quiet, but there’s lots of friendly people that you can go and see.”
If anyone has pictures or information regarding Hanover Towers that can be added to the remembrance book, please contact Tychonievich at mtyroom@gmail.com or (859) 559-2567.
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Hanover Towers
50th Anniversary Celebration
101 S. Hanover Ave.
2-5 p.m., Sept. 21
The event will feature speeches from local dignitaries, including Mayor Jim Gray and councilmember Bill Farmer; a public tour of several condos with varying floor plans; and a historic location designation plaque presentation from the Blue Grass Trust.