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Paul Miller Ford building in Lexington

Paul Miller Ford Building

Site ID: FA-1629

Between 1950-1975; Between 1975-2000; Post 2000
Commercial
Mid-Century Modern
Fayette
Palmer Engineering
Unless specified, we cannot provide site location information.

Summary

​Consultants working with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet worked to survey the Paul Miller Ford Building in 2024. These investigations documented the uniquely designed structure with a hyperbolic paraboloid roof and post tensioning system at 975 East New Circle Road in Lexington, an excellent example of mid-century modern architecture in Fayette County.  Paul Miller commissioned local architect and navy veteran, Helm Roberts, to design his car showroom.  Perhaps unsurprisingly, so-called saddle roof structures like the Paul Miller Ford building were popular in the 1960s, particularly for commercial enterprises like automobile dealerships.  The expansive walls of windows allowed for great visuals of the showroom floor and allowed plenty of natural light to flood the building.  The showroom appeared in more than one advertisement in the Lexington Herald-Leader during the 1960s for local companies involved in its construction as can be seen below.

South and west elevations of FA-1629.

Findings

North and west elevations of FA-1629.

​Consultation with Kentucky Heritage Council staff determined that the Paul Miller Ford building is Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C.  Under Criterion C, the resource was found to be significant for its mid-century modern design.  The Paul Miller Ford building retains a high degree of integrity as the original design, form and materials of the building remain intact.  The initial phase of construction saw the completion of administrative offices with two rectangular extensions attached to the east elevation.  The garage bay and parts department are both located in the rear section of the resource.  Over time, there have been additions which include a one-story, shed-roof addition appended to the east elevation sometime between 1971 and 1983; the concrete block addition currently houses a four-bay-wide car wash.  Similarly, a second addition was added to the northeast corner of the resource between 1993 and 1997; it functions as an auto body repair garage.  Later still between 1997 and 2002, the “Quick Lane Tire and Auto” and service entrance wings were added with both being constructed of concrete with multi-light glass walls.

What's Cool?

​The Paul Miller Ford Building is a great example of mid-century modernism in Lexington with its eclectic design utilizing a hyperbolic paraboloid roof (of poured concrete) with a post tensioning system.  Constructed outside the city limits of Lexington along a newly developed belt line, New Circle Road, then just a dirt road, the uniqueness of the building was an attraction for passing motorists.  In turn, the Paul Miller Ford building would spur both commercial and industrial development along the New Circle Road corridor.  Ironically, Paul Miller stated that Ford Motor Company was not keen on the location for his dealership since in their estimation people wouldn't drive that far out of town.  Indeed, they did, proving a great return on Paul Miller's investment in the property, its design and its construction by local companies.  Now it is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

South elevation of FA-1629.

Related Materials

Ben P. Eubank Lumber Company and Eubank and Steele Construction Company advertisement

​Ben P. Eubank Lumber Company and Eubank and Steele Construction Company advertisement featuring a rendering of the Paul Miller Ford building.  Image courtesy of Newspapers.com.

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