History of the Mercantile

Isaac Rosenbaum immigrated to the United States from Germany in the later part of the 1800's. He made his way to Kentucky as a peddler, sometimes accepting animal hides as payment from his customers. This gave Isaac experience in fur trading which he parlayed into an established business located at Floyd and Market Street in Louisville, Kentucky. Isaac Rosenbaum & Sons dealt in wool, hides, furs, medicinal roots, ginseng, and feathers. Eventually R&S became the largest wool dealer in the South, buying and selling over six million pounds a year.

Today, the original Rosenbaum building, and a later addition, the OEM building, are home to 40 modern, urban condominiums. Designed by Bravura in 2008, the historical manufacturing and warehouse buildings bring their historic industrial character into the modern world. The condo units echo the past with open living spaces and high ceilings. 

"The interiors integrate contemporary materials, interesting space defining forms and stained concrete floors within the existing exposed brick walls, heavy timber framing, and residual industrial artifacts. This thematic combination of new technology and old industrial brawn offers a fresh expression of urban living and extends to the hallways, fitness center, entry lounge, outdoor terrace, meeting rooms and an expansive gathering room with games, pool tables, and large screen TVs."

~ As quoted from the original Bravura design team, now Joseph & Joseph