The $18 million renovations at
You will not be able to open it and walk through freely. Access beyond that door requires an invitation from racetrack president Kevin Flanery. Only then will you be escorted in, revealing wing-backed chairs, leather barstools, walnut wood interiors and marble finishes of a dimly-lit speakeasy featuring Woodford Reserve cocktails from James Beard Award-winning mixologist Charles Joly.
"Everyone knows that on Derby Day, the highest value is space," says Mark Giles, a project manager from Project Control, which handled the new construction. "Anytime you can get breathing room it's a big deal." Both in spirit and hard numbers, the 400-sq.-ft. hideaway is the most valuable space paved by the renovations. Giles says it was "probably the most expensive part of this whole project because of the materials and finishes."
Churchill Downs is following the recent trend of sporting venues enhancing food and beverage programs from Levy Restaurants. The new premium seating spaces will have live food service pumping out improved dishes and cocktails throughout the day, including offerings from a stone and fire pizza oven and a prime rib rotisserie. There will be varying table sizes, lounge seating, race-day entertainment, in-seat technologies and added wagering windows.
Some of the most coveted spots on third and fourth levels were those in alignment with the finish line, but the spaces were clunky and unattractive. The new designs are airer and more communal. The Turf Club also has been built out to take advantage of a previously unused space with views of the paddock.
These changes have raised ticket prices by around 25 percent in Turf Terrace, Turf Club and Turf Club Roses Lounge and by 67 percent in the Turf Club Boxes (new price includes food and beverage). A ticket in the new spaces will cost $1,425 for Turf Club Balcony (new space overlooking the Paddock), $1,500 for Finish Line Suite Balcony and $2,750 for Stakes Room.
Reserved seating on Derby Day 2016 will jump from 57,880 to 58,654. Improvements since 2001 to the facility, parts of which are more than 120 years old, now total nearly $200 million.
Here are more specific details on the renovations:
Stakes Room: Churchill will combine the current Stakes Room, Aristides Room, Directors Room and Turf Club Lounge, opening it into one new open space with bars and cooking stations. The fourth floor balcony will become a covered patio with views of the paddock and racetrack.
Turf Club: Third floor premium seating will get a facelift, including new art and decor. Quicker ways there — from express elevators at Gates 10 and 17 — are included.
Turf Club Draftsman Balcony: Newly constructed, it will feature booth and table seating below a translucent canopy with paddock views.
Turf Club Roses Lounge: Also new, it will go in the space previously occupied by the Matt Winn Dining Room. Twelve tables will honor the story of each Triple Crown winner inside the 4,700-square-foot space.
Turf Club Boxes: Formerly known as Indoor Premium Boxes, they'll be remodeled with white timber and seat six to 10. They line the glass in front of the Turf Club Lounge and will be equipped with in-box food and drink delivery.
Directors Room: Relocated from the fourth to the third floor, this space will also have a private elevator, canopy-covered terrace and meeting space. Winning connections of stakes races and select guests dine here in "one of the most exclusive hospitality rooms at Churchill Downs."
Clubhouse Balconies: The fourth and fifth floor overlooks offer views of racing and the paddock near the Twin Spires. They'll be covered by green canopies and seat approximately 140 guests.
