The Manchester is a lively hotel in Lexington's historic distillery district. Described as "the first high-end hotel in the horse and bourbon capital of the world," The Manchester sits on the site of the historic Ashland Distillery – the city's first registered bourbon producer, which was established in 1865. 

THE MANCHESTER

CHLEO, KINGSTON

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SAWMILL MARKET

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COMING SOON: CARIBBEAN HOTEL

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LOCATION
Lexington, KY
ROLE
Brand Identity
YEAR
2022-2023
partners
New Circle
The Manchester
SELECTED PRESS

If the hotel’s restaurant, Granddam, can be considered the esteemed grandmother of The Manchester, our hotel concept envisions the hotel as her spirited grandson. Brimming with youthfulness, a global outlook, and a touch of playfulness, he exudes an expressive and vibrant demeanor. He embraces a colorful wardrobe and possesses a penchant for lively conversations, novel experiences and forging connections with ease.

With an audacious spirit at its core, we draw inspiration from manufacturing and industry, incorporating wood block-inspired typography that exudes a sense of solidity. Additionally, our architectural influences shine through as we pay homage to brickwork in our brand icon.

When crafting our graphic system, we sought inspiration from Garrett Morgan, the inventive mind from Kentucky, and reimagined his traffic light designs. In our typographic details, we juxtapose the boldness of the type by incorporating IMB Plex mono, a subtle reference to the IBM factory located in Lexington back in 1956, renowned for producing the firm’s first electric typewriter. Overall, our identity purposefully creates a contrast to the interior design, utilizing vibrant splashes of color, strong graphic treatments, and a contemporary flair, all while remaining rooted in rich historical heritage.

The Manchester opened in May, 2023.