History of the Glenview Edit page

HISTORY OF THE GLENVIEW

It is natural for people to want to know more about where they live or where they hope to live!  In that vein, we did some research on the Glenview, its history, location and construction.  Also, many of the early Glenview owners were well known in the community and their names will be familiar to many of you.  Although our research is not exhaustive, we hope you will enjoy this trip down Memory Lane.

HISTORY OF THE GLENVEW

The construction of the Glenview building began in 1971 on 3 ½ acres belonging to Harold Bomar, Jr., a well-known Louisville developer.  The builder was Noah Pullem.  The cost of construction was about $16 per square foot for the 167 units on 12 floors.  Architect John Doumas designed a Y-shaped building with glued concrete blocks providing weight-bearing walls for all the units, the glue being stronger than the usual mortar.  This fairly new concept at the time was developed in South Florida and rendered the building “Hurricane Resistant.”  The 1974 EF-4 tornado that ravaged Louisville on April 3^rd, shortly after the grand opening of the Glenview, proved the point.  The path of the tornado carried it right over the Glenview.  Although the roof covering had been torn off, windows broken, and wallpaper sucked off the hallways’ walls, there was no structural damage. 

The Glenview was to be the first high-rise in an area of Louisville that had remained fairly rural.  In fact, the site sat across from a pig farm with a pond for the pigs’ recreation, where now stands The Temple parking lot.  When the winds changed direction, a not-so-subtle aroma enveloped the area.  The idea of having a high-rise there did not sit well with the locals who waged a fierce campaign to prevent its construction.  They thought such an edifice belonged in downtown Louisville and not in their backyards. After much delay, the zoning permits were granted and construction began. 

Initially, the building was named The Glenview East Apartments as it was offered for rentals, but this was unsuccessful. A dispute with Chase Manhattan brought the venture near bankruptcy. It was then offered as condos, and the name was changed to "The Glenview East Condominiums."  After the 1974 tornado, many of the families from the flattened Northfield subdivision rented apartments at the Glenview while their homes were undergoing reconstruction. All but two or three of those families who had moved in after the tornado chose to stay and purchased their units. Some buyers bought units as investment properties and rented them out. This practice was later banned, but existing rental apartments were grandfathered and are still available for rentals until sold by their owners. When management grew tired of inquires about the location of The Glenview West, the name was officially changed to "The Glenview," as reflected on the sign at the entrance.

EARLY OWNERS AND RECOLLECTIONS

As the Glenview converted from rental apartments to condominiums, Mr. and Mrs. Irving D. Brill were among the early owners.  Mr. Brill was a pharmacist, who at one time owned three pharmacies in Louisville.  Mr. Brill was a long time member of the board until his death and served several times as its president.  Mr. Brill’s brother, Milton, and his wife, Shirley, moved to the Glenview, as did Mrs. Brill’s sister, Pauline, and her husband, Hymen Gurwitch.  Mr. Gurwitch was also a pharmacist.  The three couples had a wonderful time enjoying the company of family and playing cards in the card room, named in Mr. Brill’s honor.  In 2015, the Brills’ daughter, Penny, purchased her own condo at the Glenview. 

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Glogower moved in shortly after the tornado.  Their son, Michael, moved to the Glenview a few years later.  Mr. Glogower, who retired from the coal industry, became a long-term board member and president.  Michael was also a member of the board and served as its Treasurer. Mrs. Glogower was involved in many of the committees here.   The Glogower party room, was named in honor of Mr. Glogower.

The Steinfelds, Sam and Flora, were early owners at the Glenview.  Judge Samuel Steinfeld was at one time the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kentucky.  Helane Grossman, their daughter, is currently an owner at the Glenview.  The Steinfeld party room was named in honor of Judge Steinfeld, who was a longtime member of our board.  The Steinfelds were close friends and played bridge with the Shapiras.

Anne Shapira and her husband, David, moved to the Glenview because they needed a simpler lifestyle and because the Glenview offered valet parking, among other things.  David Shapira was one of five brothers who founded Heaven Hill Distilleries, the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer.

The developer, Harold Bomar, Jr., and his wife, Judy, moved into a double unit on the 6^th Floor.  Judy has now moved to the 12^th Floor.  Mr. Bomar’s father, Harold Bomar, Sr., was an early owner on the 12^th Floor of the Glenview.  The Bomars’ two grandsons currently live in the Glenview. 

Virginia Chance, who started the Virginia Chance School located on Lime Kiln Lane was an early Glenview owner.  The Rev. Dr. William W. Slider, former pastor of Christ Church United Methodist and Dr. Herbert S. Waller, former Rabbi at the Temple, were also residents of the Glenview.