Ashland Avenue Baptist: A Balcony Built to Look Like It Was Always There

HD Construction nears completion on a complex interior build-out in partnership with Denham-Blythe.

Lexington, KY — HD Construction is wrapping up work on a significant interior transformation at Ashland Avenue Baptist Church in Lexington, partnering with general contractor Denham-Blythe on a project that pushed our crew to deliver craftsmanship at the highest level.

The scope included demolition, metal stud framing, acoustical ceiling tile (ACT) installation, and detailed blocking throughout a large assembly space — but the defining challenge of the project was the addition of a new balcony designed to look completely original to the building.

When Ashland Avenue Baptist was originally constructed, it was designed with the future option of adding a balcony. Years later, executing that addition meant matching the existing soffits, ceilings, columns, and architectural transitions so precisely that, once finished, no one would ever guess the balcony wasn't part of the original design. Every elevation, every soffit return, every column wrap had to align with what was already standing.

Beyond the balcony, the framing layout featured multiple elevation changes, intricate soffits, and detailed transitions throughout the space. Working within an active, large-scale environment added logistical complexity — material staging, sequencing, and blocking for future fixtures all had to be coordinated to keep the broader project schedule moving forward.

The project is scheduled for substantial completion in the coming weeks.

Project Snapshot

• General Contractor: Denham-Blythe

• Owner: Ashland Avenue Baptist Church

• Location: Lexington, KY

• HD Scope: Demolition, metal stud framing, acoustical ceiling tile, blocking

• Standout Feature: Balcony addition matched seamlessly to existing architecture

See some of the before and after photos.