Lake Forest · Louisville 40245
Home remodeling in Lake Forest
Updating 1980s–2000s homes on lake and golf lots, from walkout lower levels to primary suites, with the Architectural Committee approval handled.
- Type
- Master-planned communityDeed-restricted
- Size
- 2,000+ acres1,700+ homes
- ZIP code
- 40245Off Shelbyville Rd at the Gene Snyder
- Approvals
- HOA + MetroArchitectural Committee first
Keystone in Lake Forest
Louisville's largest neighborhood
Lake Forest spreads across more than 2,000 acres of rolling land east of the Gene Snyder Freeway, with more than 1,700 homes around its lakes, parks and the Lake Forest Country Club. Built in phases from the early 1980s onward, its houses range from traditional two-stories to large custom homes, many with walkout basements onto lake or golf views.
Many of those homes are now 25 to 40 years old, with kitchens and primary baths that show it. They're ideal for the remodels we do: reworking kitchens around larger islands and pantries, replacing garden tubs with walk-in showers, finishing walkout lower levels, and adding sunrooms or suites. Every exterior change needs the Lake Forest Architectural Committee's approval first, and we prepare those submittals with the design.
Know the place
Lakes, golf and forty years of building
Lake Forest began in the early 1980s off Shelbyville Road just east of the Gene Snyder Freeway. It was built in many phases, growing north toward Old Henry Road with later sections such as Lake Forest Highlands and Lake Forest Estates.
The private Lake Forest Country Club opened in 1992 with an 18-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, billed as the only Palmer-designed course in Kentucky. The community association maintains pools, the Lodge clubhouse, tennis courts, trails, parks and lakes for residents.
Built 1980s to 2000s
Lake Forest's homes date mostly from the 1980s through the 2000s, from traditional two-story houses to large custom homes, with newer and more upscale homes along Arnold Palmer Boulevard. Rolling ground means many walkout basements, especially on lake and golf lots.
The covenants shape the houses: exteriors are brick, stone or veneer to ground level unless approved otherwise, carports aren't allowed, and every lot needs at least a two-car garage. Some sections are condo or patio-home associations with their own boards.
The houses
Lake Forest homes we remodel
Large, well-built houses whose interiors are due.
1980s–90s two-stories
Kitchens with small islands and soffits, formal living and dining rooms, and primary baths built around corner garden tubs. We rework the kitchen and family room together and modernize the primary suite.
Walkout lower levels
Unfinished or dated basements with daylight and patio access. Ideal for family rooms, guest suites, theaters and wet bars.
Custom homes on lake & golf lots
Sunrooms, screened porches and primary-suite additions oriented to the view, designed to match brick and stone as the covenants require.
Our services
Remodeling services in Lake Forest
Our services as they apply to Lake Forest homes and covenants.
Kitchen Remodeling in Lake Forest
1990s kitchens reworked with larger islands and walk-in pantries.
Kitchen details
Bathroom Remodeling in Lake Forest
Garden tubs retired for curbless showers and double vanities.
Bathroom details
Basement Finishing in Lake Forest
Walkout lower levels on lake and golf lots.
Basement details
Home Additions in Lake Forest
Sunrooms and suites with Architectural Committee approval.
Home details
Whole-Home Remodeling in Lake Forest
1980s–90s homes fully updated inside.
Whole-Home details
Garages & Conversions in Lake Forest
Garage expansions that respect the two-car minimum.
Garages detailsPermits & approvals
Architectural Committee, then Metro
Lake Forest is a deed-restricted community, so exterior work needs association approval in addition to Louisville Metro permits.
Rules change. We confirm the current requirements for your address before design is finished. How permitting works in Louisville →
Architectural Committee approval
Additions, decks, exterior changes, fences, pools, exterior lighting, landscaping and tree removal need the Architectural Committee's written approval before work starts.
Plat and plans
The submittal includes a copy of the recorded plat and detailed plans and specifications. We prepare them from our design drawings.
Material standards
Exteriors are brick, stone or veneer to ground level unless approved otherwise; carports aren't allowed; every lot keeps at least a two-car garage.
Section associations
Some condo and patio-home sections have their own boards and applications in addition to the master association.
Louisville Metro permits
Building, electrical and mechanical permits come from Louisville Metro; plumbing from the state.
Around Lake Forest
Lakes, trails and Arnold Palmer Boulevard
We work throughout Lake Forest, from the original sections off Lake Forest Parkway and Woodlake Drive to the homes along Arnold Palmer Boulevard and the newer sections toward Old Henry Road. Shelbyville Road, the Gene Snyder and Aiken Road connect the community to Middletown and Anchorage.
On lake and golf lots, we plan access carefully to protect lawns and shorelines, and design additions and lower-level doors around the view.
5.0 from 17 Google reviews
★★★★★
“Our project manager answered every question the same day. We always knew what was happening next, and the shower is flawless.”Primary bath, Lake Forest Sample text Read our Google reviews
Questions
Remodeling in Lake Forest: questions
Do I need HOA approval to remodel in Lake Forest?
For exterior changes, yes. Additions, decks, fences, pools, exterior lighting, landscaping and tree removal need written Architectural Committee approval before work starts. Interior remodels don't, but still need Metro permits where applicable.
What does the Architectural Committee need from me?
A copy of your recorded plat and detailed plans and specifications. We prepare the package from our design drawings and respond to any questions.
Can I convert my garage into living space?
Lake Forest requires every lot to keep at least a two-car garage, so a conversion usually needs to be paired with a garage addition. We'll look at options during design.
Is Lake Forest inside Middletown?
Lake Forest has Middletown-area mailing addresses but is generally outside Middletown's city limits, in Louisville Metro. We confirm jurisdiction for each address.
Can you finish my walkout basement?
Yes. Walkout lower levels are among our favorite Lake Forest projects: family rooms, guest suites, bars and theaters with daylight and patio access.
