Nashville Development News [Archive] - Page 9

Ron-n-TN

December 16th, 2011, 03:09 PM

Here is some information on several Nashville area projects that have not gotten a lot of press on here. I tend to focus on the Nashville Core areas, but realize there is development going on outside the core. I know there are a few that have been missed but these are the major projects I think.
Hamilton Springs Lebanon:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c22/smeagolsfree/HamiltonSprings-image1.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c22/smeagolsfree/HamiltonSprings2.jpg

http://hamiltonsprings.com/index.htm

Cumberland Center Lebanon: (under construction)

Sorry for the poor images but there are not a lot of renderings for this project. Here is a short video about the project.

http://vimeo.com/30094741

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c22/smeagolsfree/CumberlandCenter.jpg

http://www.wkrn.com/story/15622425/the-cumberland-center

Berry Farms in Franklin (under construction)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c22/smeagolsfree/berryfarms1.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c22/smeagolsfree/berryfarms3.jpg

Vanderbilt Medical Center Campus in Williamson County. This will be about a half million sq ft campus to consolidate all existing medical assets in the county into one. Construction expected to start 2013 but I have seen some information that this will start in 2012.

Bristol Development project in Brentwood
This project is now called Tapestry Brentwood Town Center and name changed from Bristol Centerview.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c22/smeagolsfree/tapestry_rendering.jpg
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2011/06/17/bristol-plans-major-project-in-brentwood.html

Seven Springs on Old Hickory Blvd in Nashville. This project will include three more buildings eventually with one getting ready to start. That will be the HQ of Life Point Hospitals.
There is also a four story condo building planned next door to this location and is the second building for the St. Martin Square. It will have 144 units. No rendering available. This is being developed by Vastland. http://www.stmartinsquare.com/concept.swf

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c22/smeagolsfree/lifepoint1.png

There are at least two spec office buildings under construction in Franklin and no rendering is available. I think Boyle is doing one at Meridian and I think Spectrum may be doing another.

Mars Petcare corporate Campus in Thompson Station. Mars is moving farther out in the suburbs from Cool Springs. The architect is Hastings and no rendering is available.

Ron-n-TN

December 16th, 2011, 08:54 PM

I forgot to include information on the Berry Farms project.

http://berryfarmstn.com/

http://boyle.com/Portfolio/Land/BerryFarms.aspx

Insighter

December 21st, 2011, 04:01 AM

H.G. Hill, a long-time Nashville real estaet company has announced an apartment (67 Units) building for the very popular 12 South neighborhood, south of downtown.

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2011/12/20/hg-hill-realty-southeast-venture.html

http://assets.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/12%20South%20Lofts%20Rendering%20jpeg*900.jpg?v=1

Insighter

December 21st, 2011, 04:06 AM

The owners of Holland House on the East Side have a new restaurant in that neighborhood: http://www.nashvillescene.com/bites/archives/2011/12/20/pharmacy-burger-parlor-and-beer-garden-aims-to-open-next-week?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NashvilleSceneBites+%28Nashville+Scene%3A+Bites%29

Insighter

December 24th, 2011, 05:46 AM

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a wish for many more great things in 2012!

Some news to finish out the year...
http://nashvillepost.com/news/2011/12/23/permit_patrol_23_december_2011

http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2011/12/23/modernhealthcare_to_have_local_editorial_presence

http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2011/12/22/northwestern_likes_north_gulch_among_other_urban_locales

http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2011/12/20/look_at_us_moving_up_the_charts

Time for a boom? (NBJ, sub required) http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2011/12/23/tech-boom-in-health-care.html

More detail on the Sounds park. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2011/12/16/nashville-sounds-new-stadium.html

Hey_Hey

December 24th, 2011, 04:15 PM

Not to be a downer, but I came across this just a little bit ago. I don't think it's been posted yet.

Alliance Residential's Broadstone at Centennial on hold (http://nashvillepost.com/news/2011/12/14/phoenix_based_developer_puts_local_apartment_development_on_hold)

It says they will re-evaluate next year, but they are concerned about the ability of Nashville to absorb the huge supply of rental units set to open in the next year or two.

musiccity

December 24th, 2011, 04:21 PM

^^

a possible overbuilding of large-scale apartment structures in the city was a concern.

This is a concern, most Nashvillians prefer single family homes with yards as opposed to high rise apartments. Most people who live in high rise apartments are urbanites from the North who moved down here for jobs and there are plenty of apartments already for people who fit that profile.

Insighter

December 24th, 2011, 04:28 PM

Thanks for that... I thought it had been posted in my absence.

Yes... it has been reported as "on hold", and probably has more to do with the untested/unproven Charlotte Ave. location (with the prospect of heavy construction for the next three years) than a lack of faith in apartment demand in the core... as we just saw Hill and Southeast Venture announce the 12South in that booming neighborhood.

Regarding the western edges of the core, including Charlotte Ave to the Nations and especially the Richland Park area, I think that is only a matter of time... and we'll see that area wake up in the next 5 years.

Insighter

December 24th, 2011, 04:30 PM

Don't think this was posted. KVB is now started... http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/public-works-looks-ramp-work-korean-veterans-extension-new-year

Link through the MCC site: http://www.koreanveteransblvd.com/

musiccity

December 24th, 2011, 05:30 PM

A nice rendering of the Music City Center

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4718/picture4cp.png

Ron-n-TN

December 24th, 2011, 10:53 PM

Insighter

December 29th, 2011, 05:02 AM

Sorry guys, I posted some of that information but without the links.

Hey Insighter, let me know if you are out of town and I will keep a better eye on what needs to get posted. I was trying not to be a board hog.

Thanks, Ron. I'd never call you a board hog. I appreciate the great job you are doing.

I am mostly in East Tennessee and North Georgia these days working on a couple big projects. Admittedly a bit tougher to keep my ear to the ground from there. Thanks for keeping the pics posted. Was back in town over Christmas, and great to see the projects. Took my son to the hockey game against the Red Wings (we lost :ohno: ) and he was fascinated by the activity downtown. Really big stuff for an 8-year old.

Insighter

December 29th, 2011, 06:02 AM

Voorhees building from William's blog from the Post: http://nashvillepost.com/news/2011/11/28/voorhees_building_slated_for_late_2012_opening

Ron-n-TN

December 29th, 2011, 01:19 PM

It has really been a slow couple of weeks because of the holidays, so not much is happening.
Pine Street Lofts site has active work now after pulling the foundation permit.

No work at Note 16 site after 2 story building was demolished; however the lot is fenced off with a new sign up.

The Athlon building is not down yet, but there is activity inside as it looks like asbestos removal to me.

From multiple sources that I have heard is the brand on Tony Giarratana's hotel will be a Westin which is what I have heard from the beginning. I think we may know something on that project pretty soon.

Insighter

December 29th, 2011, 11:12 PM

ServiceSource downtown is expanding, helping the vacancy rate.

http://nashvillepost.com/news/2011/12/29/servicesource_nashville_office_to_add_jobs_expand_space

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2011/12/29/servicesource-expanding-nashville.html

Ron-n-TN

December 30th, 2011, 03:17 AM

I am encouraged by the number of leases beign signed in the CBD. Does anyone want to guess who will be the first to break ground on a new office building in the core? And by core I mean the CBD or midtown?

qsrtyson

December 30th, 2011, 06:08 PM

Ron-n-TN

December 30th, 2011, 11:46 PM

I think and hope that 20 story office tower in the Gulch has a shot pretty soon. Has abybody heard anything more about the Publix on Demonbreun?

So there is a bunch of stuff over at the West End Summit location. I wonder if they are just draining the water, or if they are doing additional work on the site.

I think we will know about the Publix very soon.
As far as all of the equipment at the WES site goes , Metro is using it as storage for the water line replacement that is going on West End and 17th. This was supposed to be finished this month but will probably not be finished till February.

We may see two 20 or 20 + office towers going up in 2012. Depends on the tenants.

degraw

December 31st, 2011, 01:27 AM

IKEA in Nashville? This would be nice.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111230/NEWS/111230016/IKEA-possible-candidate-Nashville-site?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Insighter

December 31st, 2011, 04:14 AM

Boyle has made it clear that they want to build big at the north Gulch, and sooner than later. I have heard that Target is a sure thing, IKEA is close to signing and there will be a 16-screen theatre complex and 500 apartments. Boyle wants to leave room also for office towers.

Regarding the next buildings to rise, I believe we will see Eakin's tower at Demonbreun and 12th break ground and one of the shorter Market Street/Spectrum towers in the south Gulch. For this reason, I think UBS will land in the gulch. I keep hearing that Ray Hensler has financing for his high-end apartment tower and wants to start in the spring.

Don't forget that there also could be two additional hotel towers under construction with Giarratana's Westin and White Lodging's Hyatt Place. I wish I could be as sanguine as some of you guys on 2012, but I see too many reasons to remain very cautious.

Dale

December 31st, 2011, 04:31 AM

Insighter

January 2nd, 2012, 02:35 AM

You yourself are sounding more sanguine than you were, say, six months ago.

I guess I may sound that way, but 2012 is still very "iffy". As I was playing along with the "guess how many buildings..." game, I couldn't help thinking how likely it will be that the national economic picture stays in the doldrums... I sure hope not. But there's no denying in this business that things are really grinding (to a halt? or to crank up?). I'll spare us all the "we could go either way" dissertation, but suffice it to say that things in Washington are not changing... and they're especially not getting better. Collectively speaking, we have too much debt and too many regulations. To wit: I am trying to get financing for a large commercial component of an even larger multi-use sports complex in north Georgia... and I have several monied clients, but the banks are hamstrung by the regs. If you don't see it up close as I do, you would not believe it all. I don't want to get political on these boards, but Dodd-Frank has all but brought the construction industry to a halt. Likewise, there is too much uncertainty in the economy brought on by our precarious national debt (and the inevitable inflation that comes from easy money policies)... and of course, with Europe.

So I am playing along and will say that Hensler will get his building up, because everyone I talk to in town about it says that he has the financing. Likewise, many people believe Eakin does too, but I still believe it will be his shorter tower. Regarding White Hospitality, they have a good track record of putting up what they announce... but Giarratana, not so much. I don't expect his hotel to get built.

Dale

January 2nd, 2012, 02:51 AM

I guess I may sound that way, but 2012 is still very "iffy". As I was playing along with the "guess how many buildings..." game, I couldn't help thinking how likely it will be that the national economic picture stays in the doldrums... I sure hope not. But there's no denying in this business that things are really grinding (to a halt? or to crank up?). I'll spare us all the "we could go either way" dissertation, but suffice it to say that things in Washington are not changing... and they're especially not getting better. Collectively speaking, we have too much debt and too many regulations. To wit: I am trying to get financing for a large commercial component of an even larger multi-use sports complex in north Georgia... and I have several monied clients, but the banks are hamstrung by the regs. If you don't see it up close as I do, you would not believe it all. I don't want to get political on these boards, but Dodd-Frank has all but brought the construction industry to a halt. Likewise, there is too much uncertainty in the economy brought on by our precarious national debt (and the inevitable inflation that comes from easy money policies)... and of course, with Europe.

So I am playing along and will say that Hensler will get his building up, because everyone I talk to in town about it says that he has the financing. Likewise, many people believe Eakin does too, but I still believe it will be his shorter tower. Regarding White Hospitality, they have a good track record of putting up what they announce... but Giarratana, not so much. I don't expect his hotel to get built.

Appreciate your thoughts. Agree that government sucks and that it is always prudent to be cautious. That said, it does appear that your economists have been overly dour. I think it's just as likely as not that we're on the cusp of a modest boom. And not just Nashville. There's about a $ billion underway, in DT Orlando, and $ hundreds-millions planned. That's just an example off the top of my head. Towers are going ahead everywhere. The economy is resilient IN SPITE OF government.

Insighter

January 2nd, 2012, 03:21 AM

Dale

January 2nd, 2012, 03:26 AM

I hope so... I really do. It's just that when you're dealing with tens of millions in clients' money, it makes our economists tend to be overly cautious. Overall, it's their reasoning that I pay close attention to. They'd be the first to admit their surprise that there are pockets in the country that appear to be thriving... but they're holding firm in their assessments.

If I had the client and/or money, I'd be looking at opportunities in Orlando.

Can't argue being cautious with other peoples' money. Hope they don't get left holding the bag though. Obviously, some institutions are lending. And more need to. You don't make money by holding onto it. But you can cause a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Insighter

January 2nd, 2012, 04:54 PM

Can't argue being cautious with other peoples' money. Hope they don't get left holding the bag though. Obviously, some institutions are lending. And more need to. You don't make money by holding onto it. But you can cause a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I wish we were large enough to cause a self-fulfilling prophecy... I'd get this economy roaring back. LOL

Dale

January 2nd, 2012, 05:52 PM

I wish we were large enough to cause a self-fulfilling prophecy... I'd get this economy roaring back. LOL

Hehe, don't go changing. We like you just the way you are. If you get bigger you might become too big to fail. Then there goes more of my tax money.

Insighter

January 3rd, 2012, 10:50 PM

This is one of the projects to which I referred about two months ago as "more to come"... although at the time White Lodging was still trying to obtain control of the 8th Avenue/Demonbreun site owned by First Baptist Church. I have heard reliable rumors (in addition to this article) that they appear to have given up on the FBC site and are now pleased with the Broadway block between 2 Ave and 3rd Ave, where a Westin was proposed four years ago. It is well-known in "development circles" that Westin wants in this convention market. Also, White Lodging has a better track record than Giarratana, who also wants to build a Westin, but has not signed them yet.

Anyway, we've not heard the end of this... http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/01/03/white-lodging-exploring-high-end.html

Insighter

January 4th, 2012, 02:58 AM

Just want to leave this link about very positive net office absorption. Some signs are encouraging: http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/1/3/regions_real_estate_markets_carrying_momentum_in_12

Insighter

January 6th, 2012, 11:00 PM

Bridgestone Arena is one of the top concert venues in the country, in very good company (apparently not even including sports attendance, and the Preds are playing to capacity crowds). And the Music City Center will be just as successful.

http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-business/bridgestone-arena-ranks-sixth-concert-attendance-us

Insighter

January 6th, 2012, 11:02 PM

William gives us the latest on the Park 25 project: http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/1/6/athlon_building_braces_for_wrecking_ball

Insighter

January 6th, 2012, 11:05 PM

And as long as we're beating our chests, this one says that Nashville is the Number 1 travel destination (TripAdvisor via Post): http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/1/4/tripadvisor_list_ranks_nashville_no_1

Ron-n-TN

January 6th, 2012, 11:20 PM

I drove by Park 25 and called WW to change his article to this week instead of next week. Tony had thought it would be then but I guess they were moving faster than even he knew.

A couple of article in the NBJ from today about DT investment and apartments.

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/01/06/investors-scout-downtown-nashville.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/01/06/nashville-apartment-building-boom.html

Ron-n-TN

January 8th, 2012, 04:30 PM

Insighter,

Back in June or so you had mentioned that Marriot was looking at the 8th and Demonbreum site for a 50 story hotel but you said that White Lodging was looking it at and it was off the table. Is the White lodging and the Marriott proposal the same or is Marriott close to signing a deal for the property @ 8th and Demonbreun and that is why that site is off the table for White?

Insighter

January 8th, 2012, 07:25 PM

Ron, it was White Lodging that was looking at that property... actually negotiating for it at the time. Back then, I had heard that Marriott was the flag. The other project "rumor" to which I was referring was (of course) the NWML/Boyle alliance on the North Gulch proposal. The latter could be really big as NWML has lots of money. Look for that project to be multi-year/phased.

Regarding White's plans (and I am not involved), they were trying to buy that property from FBC, but I conclude (from Nevin's article and other information I have heard) that the negotiations with FBC fell through, probably before their decision to build the Hyatt Place. With rumors of a second hotel, possibly at the Broadway site, it looks like they've decided to "divide and conquer". My sources back in the summer told me that they wanted to build a large hotel (over 600 rooms) that would have required a building of between 45-50 stories IF built at 8th & Demonbreun. It looks like they're going for two smaller hotels at two different sites. And yes, teaming up with Giarratana might be a good strategy, but White almost never does joint projects. It looks like Marriott might still be the flag, but I have heard Westin (Starwood) too. Working with divisions at both companies, I know for a fact that both want to be in downtown Nashville.

Ron-n-TN

January 8th, 2012, 09:58 PM

Thanks, that helps clarify things a little. I am excited about the SoBro area and there will be a lot of things happening there over the next several years.

I do think the North Gulch is going to be huge for sure. Northwestern Mutual has deep pockets for sure and I expect an Atlantic Station type of development I hope. I am wondering if it is going to take some momentum away from the Midtown area. That area is just staying stagnate with the lack of movement with Palmer's project and all of the land around Lake Palmer. I have heard the hotels in that area are not doing very well and I don’t want to mention any names but I think we can figure out who is not doing well.
I have doubts about the 2 hotels going @18th and West End, mainly because they are small time hotel developers and it has lingered for so long.

I have heard that the project @ FYE is going to happen as I spoke to someone in the FYE store and they said they are closing the doors at that location this month or maybe next. WW said that they are going to start this spring and I think that is a multi-phased project as well. That company has developed Hilton brands from what I have seen.

WES is a mystery to me. I keep hearing things indirectly from people that are close to Palmer and they say they are moving forward. How long can you move forward on a project before it is dead? I would like to see that project move ahead but if Eakin breaks ground first then I would say WES is not going to happen.

Insighter

January 11th, 2012, 03:10 AM

Erin Quinn at the 10SEN has a piece on various west town neighborhoods and projects going up there. I don't know if she has the same sources as mine on the Hensler tower, but she said it will be completed in 2012. I believe she meant it will be started.

Anyway here's the link: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120110/DAVIDSON/301100056/Hot-neighborhoods-brace-more-building?odyssey=mod|newswell|text||p

And the article: Contact Erin Quinn at 615-726-5986 or equinn@tennessean.com.

In 2011, West Nashville saw nearly 40 new restaurants open within a few-mile radius. Dozens of new retail stores have come online. More students are attending its colleges.

With hot neighborhoods, though, came growing pains. And they became increasingly apparent in 2011.
Like, parking and traffic. And where are all these new students and urbanites going to live?
It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that 2012 is looking to be punctuated with meetings, discussions and more construction striving for solutions to those sticky growing pains.

A lot of that apartment construction is well under way, especially in 12South, Elliston Place and Music Row. The buying and renovating of aging, makeover-hungry bungalows in areas such as Sylvan Park and Edgehill Village is looking to be quite the trend for 2012 as well. And, although problems with parking are still likely to dominate community meetings in these areas, 2012 undoubtedly will include more discussion about the need for a stronger mass-transit system. Like, in the Gulch, where the city’s free, downtown circulator bus has been growing in popularity.

Here are some of the big things happening in 2012 for some of West Nashville’s hottest neighborhoods:
Music Row/Edgehill Village/Hillsboro Village
1. Discussions will continue among Edgehill Village developers regarding the building of a parking garage that could include condominiums or apartments on its upper floor.
2. Action is likely to be taken on a proposed connection of Acklen Avenue to Magnolia Boulevard.
3. Stonehenge DCM, developers from the Atlanta area, have announced an 86-unit apartment project slated to open on Music Row in about 12 months at the intersection of 16th and Horton avenues. Rental rates for studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments still are being evaluated, but Stonehenge’s Todd Jackovich said the units will be marketed to young professionals. A two-story vacant office building occupies the site. The building will be demolished to make way for a five-story apartment complex, which includes two levels of parking, including one underground.
4. Music Row’s talented occupants will begin their partnerships this year with Davidson County’s elementary and middle school populations through Music Makes Us: The Nashville Music Education Project. Schools still will have marching band and glee club, but thanks to an avalanche of promised donations and music industry volunteers, students also will have the option of joining a rock ’n’ roll band, or performing bluegrass or hip-hop, or signing up for a songwriting class or a course in DJ remixing. The expanded offerings will hit the high school level in 2013.
5. The Belcourt Theatre this year was selected as one of nine theaters across the country by the Sundance Film Festival to host an evening of film and dialogue with a filmmaker featured at the annual festival in Park City, Utah.

Sylvan Park/West End/Elliston Place
1. Franklin-based developer Southern Land Company, known best for the Dwell apartment complex off McEwen Drive in Williamson County, has broken ground on Elliston 23, or E23. It’s a multimillion-dollar complex of 331 apartments on top of upscale restaurants and boutique clothing stores, set to be completed in 2013. The brochure boasts apartments with the features of a luxury hotel: sleek appliances, coffee lounge, eco-friendly and outdoor cabanas with flat-screen TVs.
2. The new McCabe Community Center, sandwiched between the golf course and Sylvan Park’s popular business district, will hold outdoor concerts and other events at its amphitheater.
3. Talks surely will continue among Sylvan Park business owners and city leaders about possible solutions to the parking crunch. Among the options being looked at: working out an agreement with the McCabe Golf Course and new community center to use the lots at off-peak times, said Metro Councilman Jason Holleman, who represents Sylvan Park. Another is to rezone a private piece of property that sits behind the commercial business district and turn it into a parking lot. Also, increasing the walkability of the area by reworking the intersection at 46th Avenue and Murphy Road to create curbs. The change actually would create less parking space on-street, but improve the safety of the area.
4. Although 2012 will see the end to stores such as f.y.e entertainment on West End Avenue, Vanderbilt University continues to be a draw for business. For example computer retailer MacAuthority planned to open a new store last weekend on West End Avenue, near the new Barnes & Noble Vanderbilt Bookstore and the school’s campus.
5. Plans continue for a makeover of Centennial Park. Drafts of the possible improvements include replacing roadways and parking lots with green space, water structures and gardens. The draft also includes new structures, monuments and water features. Among them are two musicians corners, an amphitheater, a winter garden, jogging loop, a second café, restrooms, a Parthenon reflecting pool and a cascade of fountains spewing water into the air.

The Gulch/12South
1. A $50 million, 23-story apartment building at 12th Avenue South and Demonbreun is expected to be completed this year. The project was initially proposed as a 28-story condo tower just as the housing market stumbled. Ray Hensler, president of Market Realty Advisors, last year switched the concept to upscale apartments.
2. Construction is set to get under way at 1515 Demonbreun, a 250-unit apartment building in an area bordering Music Row and across from Rhythm condos. The project is another venture of Bristol Development Group, which, along with Market Street, developed the Icon and Velocity.
3. Market Street Enterprises plans an apartment complex nestled between the Icon and Velocity at Pine Street and 11th Avenue South. By 2013, 300 one- and two-bedroom units ranging in price from $900 to $2,000 a month will be available for rentals. The plan also includes about 16,000 square feet of retail space.
4. In the former Polar Icehouse Storage property on 11th Avenue North between Church Street and Charlotte Avenue, developers expect 302 apartment units by spring. Georgia-based partners TriBridge Residential LLC and Stonehenge DCM are developing the Eleven North Apartments project on nine acres.
5. As plans are carried out to improve Sevier Park, to include additional parking spots, construction continues to be a mainstay on 12Avenue South. The intergalactic-looking Urban Grub promises to open sometime soon. The restaurant will boast Southern-style seafood, including a raw bar with oysters and Latin dishes such as enchiladas.

Ron-n-TN

January 11th, 2012, 04:13 AM

Seems a couple of items that were left out for sure is the Community Center in Sevier Park and not even a mention of the 12 South apartment building that HG HILL Realty is proposing.
She sure left out the downtown neighborhoods like RMH and Germantown. She didn’t mention Germantown Vista or any of the other small infill projects going on in Germantown.
I think that the Rolling Mill Hill area will see further development with the Ryman Lofts going up along with the next phase of the Riverfront development.

Ron-n-TN

January 12th, 2012, 01:24 PM

New restaurant to Charlotte Ave.

http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/1/11/melrose_owner_set_to_bring_restaurantbar_to_west_nashville

Expanded Hill Realty/Southeast Ventures project on 12 South
http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/1/11/hill_southeast_venture_will_expand_12south_project

SoBro land sells for 1.4 million. Anyone have any info on this LLC?
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/01/11/sobro-site-sells-for-14-million.html

GarfieldPark

January 17th, 2012, 09:33 PM

Hey_Hey

January 18th, 2012, 01:44 AM

News from the Indianapolis Star says that in Mid March Megabus will be starting a new twice a day service between Indianapolis and Nashville:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20120117/BUSINESS/201170355/Megabus-adds-Indy-Nashville-route?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|IndyStar.com

This great news for Nashville. While being able to travel to Indianapolis is useful to several people, what is really good news is that Nashville now has a low cost alternative for travelling to Chicago.

What is odd to me is that they haven't mentioned stopping in Louisville. It seems to me that if a bus were travelling between Indianapolis and Nashville it would stop at Louisville. It would be entirely reasonable that Megabus could run a single bus route that would start in Atlanta, make stops in Chattanooga, Nashville, Louisville, and Indianapolis before ending in Chicago.

Insighter

January 18th, 2012, 02:58 PM

Article about the 12South residents' concerns about the new apartment block, from 10SEN: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120118/DAVIDSON/301180009/Apartment-project-spurs-concerns-among-12South-residents?odyssey=mod|newswell|text||s

Insighter

January 18th, 2012, 03:06 PM

And growth at Lipscomb University, 60% over the past 5 years. From the 10SEN: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120118/DAVIDSON/301180008/Lipscomb-University-looks-ahead-big-things?odyssey=mod|newswell|text||p

"In 10 years, Lipscomb will have a five-building science complex on the north side of the campus."

Insighter

January 18th, 2012, 04:13 PM

Much of this is a rehash, but it includes mention of bigger projects in some "hot" intown neighborhoods. From the 10SEN: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120110/DAVIDSON/301100056/Hot-neighborhoods-brace-more-building?odyssey=obinsite

And my neighbor went to Pharmacy last weekend, and he mentioned that it's a very nice, authentic Biergarten... will look for information to post here.

L&C Tower Admirer

January 18th, 2012, 05:10 PM

I invite all on this forum to post on Urbanplanet.org Nashville forum as well. Ron and I are moderators over there and we would love to have your participation.

Insighter, I also invite you to our monthly meetings at Casablanca Coffee in the Gulch first Saturday of the month at 10 am. We are all wanting to meet you!

In regards to the Tennessean, I no longer put much stock in their reporting at all. It's amateur journalism at best. Many times they get the facts totally wrong, and they no longer have a fact checking staff anymore due to cutbacks so I am told. In any case, I hope you are right in your "reporting"!

Please visit us on urbanplanet.org and come to a forum meet.

Dale

January 18th, 2012, 05:22 PM

I used to post on UP but the moderator over there was a veritable dog-in-heat. Think his name was 'metro.'

Insighter

January 19th, 2012, 03:23 AM

As a practice, I don't post much about suburban developments, but I must say that the Cool Springs area is becoming quite the critical mass for dining establishments. For a change, the 10SEN scooped the Post on the rendering... http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120117/WILLIAMSON01/120117018/Minnesota-based-restaurant-brewery-sets-sights-Franklin?odyssey=obinsite

And not to forget about the core, the latest issue of Bon Appetit has a very flattering feature on Nashville's restaurants. http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2012/02/nashville-with-dan-auerbach If you ask me, they only scratched the surface of what this city has to offer. The article mentions that Nashville has a so much going for it and it is the "South's city of the moment"... Those of us who have been here a while (yes, over 6 years!!) know that it's what it has always been, the "real deal". The thing about BNA is that it doesn't try to be some other place, vaulting headlong into generic oblivion. And that was readily apparent the moment I arrived here.

Insighter

January 19th, 2012, 03:32 AM

I used to post on UP but the moderator over there was a veritable dog-in-heat. Think his name was 'metro.'

I believe you are talking about the notorious Metroboi, the board ninny. I never even posted at that site (too afraid to, LOL). The guy picks on everything anyone posts.

Besides, I rather like to see the latest posts all in one thread.

Ron-n-TN

January 19th, 2012, 03:59 AM

BTW, Metro/metroboi/monsoon, I think were all one in the same and he was banned a couple of years ago by the owner of the site. Things are a lot better now.

Ron-n-TN

January 19th, 2012, 10:02 PM

Gaylord and Dolly Parton are teaming up and announce plans for a 50 million dollar Water and Snow park.
From the NBJ

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/01/19/gaylord-dolly-parton-to-partner-on.html

ariesjow

January 20th, 2012, 12:21 AM

Insighter

January 20th, 2012, 06:03 PM

Miscellaneous nuggets:

Nashville's growth among world cities: http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/1/19/nashville_89th_in_ranking_of_200_international_metro_economies

Convention Center topping out: http://www.newschannel5.com/story/16557726/last-piece-of-steel-in-place-at-music-city-center-construction

musiccity

January 21st, 2012, 02:31 AM

Did y'all here about this on the news? Dolly Parton is opening up a theme park in Nashville that will be across Briley Pkwy from Opryland. It's another Dollywood and it will consist of a water park, and an indoor snow park! :banana:

Country music legend Dolly Parton on Thursday announced her company is in a partnership to open a new theme park in Nashville.
The new 50/50 joint venture between Gaylord Entertainment Co. and Dollywood will be developed on a 114-acre site for a family entertainment zone across from the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Convention Center.
Phase I of the $50 million project will be a water and snow park. Groundbreaking is anticipated late this year or in early 2013, with the park's opening slated for summer of 2014.
Parton, who turned 66 on Thursday, told CNN's Brooke Baldwin that "we are going to be bringing more family entertainment into Nashville."
The Dollywood company will serve as the project's operating partner and will employ 450 full- and part-time employees, Parton said.
The park will provide a mix of high-energy water activities for the summer season and designated snow activities for winter play. The first-year attendance is projected to be a half-million.
The park will be similar to the Snow Mountain attraction at Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta, according to CNN affiliate WKRN.
"Tourism is the second-largest industry in Tennessee, generating more than a billion dollars in tax revenue annually and employing more than 170,000 Tennesseans," Gov. Bill Haslam said in a statement. "This project will be a welcome addition to the wide variety of attractions and destinations across our great state, and I applaud the collaboration and spirit that has led to this announcement."
"We are thrilled by the prospect of bringing to Nashville a family focused entertainment center with one of the pre-eminent theme park owners and operators in the country," said Colin V. Reed, chairman and chief executive officer, for Gaylord Entertainment.
An additional 35 acres will be reserved for future developments.

CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/19/showbiz/dollywood-nashville-theme-park/index.html)

http://WKRN.images.worldnow.com/images/629712_G.jpg

Insighter

January 23rd, 2012, 03:20 PM

In case folks haven't noticed, Murfreesboro has developed a nice urban core, aided a great deal by the presence of MTSU there. It now boasts the largest undergraduate student enrollment in the state. It is still experiencing a building boom, and the latest projects are soon to break ground.

From the 10SEN, $38 million complex of 2 garages and a student administration building in the newest section of campus: http://www.tennessean.com/article/D4/20120123/NEWS01/201230313/Construction-changes-MTSU-landscape?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|County|p

http://www.mtsu.edu/campusplanning/Projects_CampPlan.shtml

http://www.mtsu.edu/news/Record/Rec_v19/rec1917.shtml#Construction_Update

Insighter

January 25th, 2012, 03:16 AM

Belmont University continues to grow, $120M in projects. From the 10SEN: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120124/NEWS01/301240077/Belmont-University-add-more-parking-spaces?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

By Erin Quinn, The Tennessean
By August, Belmont University will add more than 1,000 parking spots in two underground garages.

Another 500 will come with a $48 million academic building set to become the school’s new flagship hall that is in the design process.

The 1,000-plus parking spots will come with the opening of the university’s new law building and a five-story apartment building. With the opening of the massive law center, the apartment building and a renovated concert hall, Belmont will pour about $70 million into construction and design this year.

Insighter

January 26th, 2012, 01:28 AM

The Village is about to get more crowded... from Erin Quinn, H.G. Hill Realty is about to put an apartment block with street-level retail in the heart of the Village.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120125/NEWS01/301250160/Hillsboro-Village-get-apartment-retail-development?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Insighter

January 31st, 2012, 04:12 PM

Here is some info about Echo at the Encore, from the Post: http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/1/31/work_slated_to_begin_on_echo_at_encore

Insighter

January 31st, 2012, 04:17 PM

And from the 10SEN, a piece on the Nissan HQ (nice photos in a slide show) and its potential to spur more growth in that area of Williamson: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120131/NEWS/301310025/Nissan-headquarters-could-magnet-new-growth?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Written by
Kevin Walters
The Tennessean

New development could pick up soon in Franklin the vicinity of the Nissan Americas headquarters.

After hitting the recession’s brick wall, new development finally has shifted into a higher gear around the Nissan Americas headquarters and could pick up the pace soon.

That’s important because the deal that state and local economic development officials used to lure Nissan from suburban Los Angeles to Franklin in 2005 was financed with anticipated revenues from what at the time was booming development in the immediate vicinity of the headquarters building alongside Interstate 65.

Now developers have contacted city officials about locating a 300,000-square-foot, upscale retail development on a 140-acre parcel on the eastern side of Carothers Parkway owned by the N.R. Pickering Properties limited partnership, according to a city report about the potential revenue-generating real estate around Nissan.

The development, which was discussed for the southeast corner of the McEwen and Carothers intersection, would possibly include “a major discounter and a major grocery” as anchors. Franklin officials could offer no other specifics on the retailers or the proposal. Franklin resident Richard Pickering, who heads the partnership, could not be reached for comment.

If the project were to move forward, it would be the third major development set for undeveloped land along Carothers in recent years. Other proposed projects include Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s plans for a $200 million campus on land purchased on Carothers, as well as a new $36 million Columbia State Community College campus nearby.

“I think that’s setting the stage pretty good for future development of the entire Carothers corridor,” Franklin Mayor Ken Moore said.

Road to rebound
That optimism is a return to form for Franklin officials. The city bought the 50-acre Nissan site off Carothers Parkway by issuing bonds through the city Industrial Development Board. Franklin set up the 859-acre McEwen Development District, where a portion of the property taxes would be used to finance payment on that $15 million note. For the first time since then, the city expects its tax collections to fully cover this year’s payment on those bonds.

Up until now, Franklin has covered the gap between what was paid and what was received in the taxes collected from Nissan and from the development district, which was affected by the bankruptcy of Crescent Resources, a major landowner. Franklin has paid around $2.6 million total toward retiring those bonds, expecting to be reimbursed as more development occurs. A cap has been set at $5 million on what the city could lend to cover that note.

“I don’t think anybody had any idea it was going to be this severe for this long,” said Pat Emery, president of Spectrum Properties, who helped develop much of Cool Springs. The company plans to build a new office building on 71 acres south of the Nissan headquarters.

City officials recently renewed their revolving loan agreement with Fifth Third Bank on the bonds. Projections show the city collecting more than $890,000 in tax collections for properties in the district this year and more than $920,000 next. That compares with around $33,000 in taxes the city collected on the properties back in 2005. “We will now be taking in more tax increment than what the debt service is costing us,” said Russ Truell, city finance director. “We’re now in the black.”

State officials praised the company which opened its $100 million, 10-story corporate headquarters in 2008. “Nissan has been an excellent corporate citizen and has provided thousands of Tennesseans with high-quality jobs,” Clint Brewer, Economic Community Development assistant commissioner for communications, said in a statement. “We look forward to a continued partnership with Nissan in the future.”

Contact Kevin Waltersat 615-771-5472

Insighter

February 1st, 2012, 03:20 PM

Looks like ServiceSource is actually going to have a larger base downtown, from the 10SEN: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/morning_call/2012/02/servicesource-jobs-haslam-dean-tennessee.html

And as I had mentioned a few months back, the hotel across West End from Vandy will be a Homewood (Hilton brand). http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/2/1/homewood_suites_to_operate_new_west_end_hotel

Insighter

February 4th, 2012, 12:54 AM

Construction of West End Village slated to begin in a few weeks.... http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/2/2/full_scale_work_on_west_end_village_looms

musiccity

February 5th, 2012, 04:59 PM

So is the Music City Star ever going to get more lines? I really want a city-wide commuter rail system.

Insighter

February 7th, 2012, 03:44 AM

An update on the Melrose project. This could be well-done (from NP): http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/2/6/parkes_fulcher_finally_buy_melrose_lanes

http://nashvillepost.com/news/2011/1/26/picking_up_the_spare_melrose_lanes_may_get_new_life

The future for this area looks very bright indeed... as it's only a stones-throw from the 12 South area, and that has taken off. Plus, there's still lots of classic, old buildings in this neighborhood.

Insighter

February 7th, 2012, 03:46 AM

So is the Music City Star ever going to get more lines? I really want a city-wide commuter rail system.

MC, there is a plan out there for the RTC that has two future lines on tap in similar fashion. One going north to Hendersonville/Gallatin... and the other to Murfreesboro. Interestingly, Rutherford is closing in on 300K residents and Sumner 200K, both much larger than Wilson, where the Music City Star goes. I don't know the timetable, but obviously it has much to do with funding.

musiccity

February 7th, 2012, 04:31 AM

^^

Awesome! And I've never understood why the Music City Star only goes out to Wilson County and Lebanon. One of the stations is in the middle of nowhere. (Martha station) I rode on it once and that was because I wanted to, not out of functionality.

I really hope that proposed line has a station in Madison. :yes: That would be sweeet!

rocket9561

February 7th, 2012, 05:23 PM

MC, there is a plan out there for the RTC that has two future lines on tap in similar fashion. One going north to Hendersonville/Gallatin... and the other to Murfreesboro. Interestingly, Rutherford is closing in on 300K residents and Sumner 200K, both much larger than Wilson, where the Music City Star goes. I don't know the timetable, but obviously it has much to do with funding.

I believe that the Wilson route tracks were able to be used with little to no modifications so it was the cheapest to start. Also, don't forget that it also goes through the heavily populated Hermitage/Donelson neighborhoods of Nashville.

I believe that Sumner needs the line more urgently than the other counties. Although Williamson and Rutherford are larger, Sumner sends more commuters into Nashville than any other county in the MSA.

Ron-n-TN

February 7th, 2012, 10:26 PM

The Homewood @ the FYE site us about to start. Construction fencing surrounds the entire project.

Look for permits to be pulled soon for Park 25

Also Hyatt Place will be starting soon as Rock City Machine has to be out by the 15th of Feb.

musiccity

February 8th, 2012, 12:36 AM

Ron, where will that be located?

And Rocket, I agree Sumner needs it the most! Vietnam Vets is absolutely clogged during rush hour.

Ron-n-TN

February 8th, 2012, 04:36 AM

Sorry I dont know which "that" you are referring too, but I can give you locations of all three projects. LOL
The Homewood would be located at the FYE music store site on West End and the small red brick 2 story center located next to the FYE. This project will be done in phases and I am not entirely sure what will happen first.

Park 25 is at the corner of 25th and Brandau across from the Metroplex sports complex and Centennial Park.

Hyatt Place will be where Rock City Machine is on third right behind the Encore.

Another project in this area that will start probably around May will be the Kassam Hall rebuild on the corner of West End and 21st. That is going to have a huge impact on that corner for sure.

We will probably see the 12 South project start soon and we are now seeing movement for the Melrose project on 8th South.

Any other projects in the pipeline I would be afraid to speculate about but I have heard a few other tidbits of information about the second White Lodging proposal adn I would bet we will have something solid sooner rather than later.

One other note is the garage at the Nashville City Center site may be happening soon. There was core drilling equipment on site last week. I am not sure of the scope of that one but it could be more than a garage.

qsrtyson

February 9th, 2012, 01:24 AM

Ron-n-TN

February 9th, 2012, 04:44 AM

Hey Ron - Do you happen to know who the developer is for the Melrose project? This project will fit in nicely on that strip. The lady at the Bery Hill city hall said that they are going for a 60's look on the outside of the building.

Here is an article form the Post.

http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/2/6/parkes_fulcher_finally_buy_melrose_lanes

Parkes and Fulcher have had plans for this development for sometime and I think it has gone a lot slower than expected. Seems it was on the the Berry Hill Councils agenda back in March of last year and they had hoped to start sometime last year as well. This should be a solid project and that area is red hot right now with all of the development going on around 100 Oaks and across the street on Gale Lane.

Ron-n-TN

February 10th, 2012, 03:32 PM

Here are some great articles from the Nashville Ledger

Picking up where we left off as far as construction goes, especially commercial construction.

http://www.nashvilleledger.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=57295

Retail trends towards mixed use

http://www.nashvilleledger.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=57296

High end rental trends

http://www.nashvilleledger.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=57298

Free Will Baptist College Marketing property again

http://www.nashvilleledger.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=57299

Pillsbury close to signing in Raglands Third Ave building.

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/02/10/ny-law-firm-pillsbury-nashville.html

Insighter

February 14th, 2012, 07:54 PM

The Homewood Suites will start construction next month. The site is being prepped for demo, from the NBJ: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/02/14/homewood-suites-to-open-on-west-end.html

Insighter

February 14th, 2012, 08:27 PM

And a link to a Channel 5 Story on the hotel, with renderings. http://www.newschannel5.com/story/16931552/new-hotel-announced-near-vanderbilt-campus?Call=Email&Format=HTML

BTW: This site on the Church/Elliston side will be just one block away from the massive Elliston 23 project already under construction, and one block in the other direction from Giarratana's Park 25 (to start next month; demo completed). All will add a lot of density, and a little bit of height.

Insighter

February 14th, 2012, 08:39 PM

And Mars Petcare is ready to build their new campus in Thompson Station... http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120214/WILLIAMSON10/120214015/Mars-Petcare-gets-2-2-million-10-year-break-Williamson-headquarters?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Insighter

February 14th, 2012, 08:40 PM

Apartment shortage in Nashville... http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120214/BUSINESS02/302140026/Apartment-shortage-squeezes-Nashville-renters?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Insighter

February 14th, 2012, 08:51 PM

And Saks Fifth Avenue will be building/leasing a massive logistics center in Lavergne (to employ over 200!). http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120214/BUSINESS01/302140048/Saks-plans-La-Vergne-shipping-center?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Insighter

February 16th, 2012, 02:15 PM

And the first word about One C1TY in several months, from the Tennessean.... http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120216/COLUMNIST03/302160011/Ryan-Underwood-Nashville-health-care-hub-holds-great-potential?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Nothing really new here, but someone believes it's newsworthy.

musiccity

February 17th, 2012, 12:56 AM

So is the West End Summit U/C yet or is it still a giant hole in the ground?

Ron-n-TN

February 18th, 2012, 02:04 PM

So is the West End Summit U/C yet or is it still a giant hole in the ground?

Still just a hole.

Good news is that the water project that has been going on in that area is almost done.

Projects inthe West End area however all seem to be moving forward.
The Elliston 23 has a large tower crane and will be rising past the first level soon.
The Park 25 site is cleared and look for a announcement soon from the money entity part of the project.

West End villlage on Long is moving forward as well with the last three remaining homes demolished this week.

The Homewood Suites site is completly fenced off and demo work will start soon.

Downtown, the Omni is starting to rise out of the ground and the outline of the building is starting to take shape.

Rock City Machine building is almost empty and the Hyatt Place should start sometime next month.

11 North is really taking shape and is a huge improvement for that end of the Gulch.

L&C Tower Admirer

February 20th, 2012, 09:37 PM

So is the West End Summit U/C yet or is it still a giant hole in the ground?

I figured someone with 8262 posts who lived in Nashville would know the answer to that question! You don't get to West End much do you? LOL!

This thing will never be built. NEVER! It has been ten years and rarely does a project designed 10 years in the past get built in it's original design. I suspect he may build one small tower with some retail. I could see an urban Target, IKEA, Best Buy, Whole Foods, or something of that nature taking up most of the space. I could also see off campus parking for Vanderbilt or Baptist Hospital with van transportation too and from the hospital campus.

Otherwise, I don't see much for this property. It's a decade too late for this type of development. The "twin" tower concept is a 1980's and 1990's model. The infrastructure needs for this type of development are vast and costly. Traffic flow issues, setback requirements, and sewer are too costly. I doubt the city included WES property in its revamping of the sewer system during it's renovation. Another developer told me years ago this would never be built. It's too bold, too costly, and the need for that much office space has dwindled. With millions of people working via the internet from home now, why would one need this much office space?

Call me a cynic, I have seen dozens of these bullshit proposals over the past 4 decades in Nashville with only about 1% of them ever being built. Just count the number of buildings over 20 stories we have in our skyline that are not hotels and condo's. How many? 10? 12? Off the top of my head I count 8. The rest are hotels and condo's.

This won't be West End Summit, it will be West End No Summit! If this building is 12 stories, I'll be surprised. Remember Crossland and Eakin Partners have more money and more clout. They will build in the Gulch first.

Dale

February 20th, 2012, 09:49 PM

Insighter, do you have a feeling in your bones about 505CST ? Just entirely contingent on a major user stepping forward ?

Insighter

February 21st, 2012, 01:39 PM

Insighter, do you have a feeling in your bones about 505CST ? Just entirely contingent on a major user stepping forward ?

The feeling in my bones is that this will never see daylight. I don't see Giarratana as having the chops to make this one happen. He has a far better chance of getting a hotel or another random apartment/condo midrise, but not office. It's a whole different animal, and he just hasn't proved himself in that area.

I hope I am wrong because that prominent corner really "screams for" a nice large office building, although I personally do not like the proposed design as rendered. Sure I find it interesting, but it's really formless (I get it, that's what it's supposed to be), and it figuratively (no pun) turns Louis Sullivan's timeless principles on their heads. Basically, Sullivan and the greats who succeeded him were able to give us great architecture without just being weird. I recall a great architecture professor in Austin about fifteen years ago telling his class that "weird just becomes dated a lot faster". And I write this being a modernist at heart.

musiccity

February 21st, 2012, 03:48 PM

I figured someone with 8262 posts who lived in Nashville would know the answer to that question! You don't get to West End much do you? LOL!

This thing will never be built. NEVER! It has been ten years and rarely does a project designed 10 years in the past get built in it's original design. I suspect he may build one small tower with some retail. I could see an urban Target, IKEA, Best Buy, Whole Foods, or something of that nature taking up most of the space. I could also see off campus parking for Vanderbilt or Baptist Hospital with van transportation too and from the hospital campus.

Otherwise, I don't see much for this property. It's a decade too late for this type of development. The "twin" tower concept is a 1980's and 1990's model. The infrastructure needs for this type of development are vast and costly. Traffic flow issues, setback requirements, and sewer are too costly. I doubt the city included WES property in its revamping of the sewer system during it's renovation. Another developer told me years ago this would never be built. It's too bold, too costly, and the need for that much office space has dwindled. With millions of people working via the internet from home now, why would one need this much office space?

Call me a cynic, I have seen dozens of these bullshit proposals over the past 4 decades in Nashville with only about 1% of them ever being built. Just count the number of buildings over 20 stories we have in our skyline that are not hotels and condo's. How many? 10? 12? Off the top of my head I count 8. The rest are hotels and condo's.

This won't be West End Summit, it will be West End No Summit! If this building is 12 stories, I'll be surprised. Remember Crossland and Eakin Partners have more money and more clout. They will build in the Gulch first.

Strike a nerve? lol

I don't get over to West End hardly at all, I live in Madison.

Btw everyone, the new Sam's Club in Hendersonville is due to open soon, drove past the other day.

degraw

February 22nd, 2012, 09:16 PM

Good news for Antioch

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120222/BUSINESS05/302220153/HCA-s-data-center-expansion-create-155-jobs?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/2/22/hca_to_build_antioch_data_center

Insighter

February 22nd, 2012, 10:59 PM

Yes, that HCA $200 Million data center is very big news for Antioch, and Davidson County. Like so much, this one could have easily gone to Williamson, where HCA has lots of land.

More from Nashville Bizjournal...

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/02/22/hca-data-center-means-community-growth.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/02/22/hca-building-200m-data-center-in.html

Insighter

February 24th, 2012, 01:42 PM

Vandy prepares to move on the Kissam project... http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/2/22/vu_moves_forward_on_blakemore_house_dorm

Brentwood makes room for high density continuation of its town center plan... http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/2/23/brentwoods_murray_ohio_building_to_be_razed

Rumors swirl that CHS is looking to moving back to Davidson... with incentives of course... http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/2/23/chs_wont_be_tenant_at_new_boyle_cool_springs_building

And the Rock City Machine building is sold to make room for the Hyatt Place downtown... http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/02/23/downtown-rock-city-machine-co.html

ariesjow

February 24th, 2012, 09:50 PM

Rumors swirl that CHS is looking to moving back to Davidson... with incentives of course... http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/2/23/chs_wont_be_tenant_at_new_boyle_cool_springs_building

Tony G. and Alex Palmer need to have CHS on speed dial right about now. :lol: Do you think this will be another corporate move barely inside the county line or could they possibly go downtown or midtown?

musiccity

February 27th, 2012, 11:01 PM

Drove past the Omni Hotel site today, it's on the 2nd floor!

degraw

February 28th, 2012, 12:07 AM

Ron-n-TN

February 28th, 2012, 12:42 PM

Was this where a new hotel was rumored to be located at?

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120227/NEWS06/302270026/First-Baptist-Church-downtown-accepts-long-term-master-plan?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

The First Baptist own a lot of property in the area. The area of the renovation will sit onthe current site of the church. Across the street on 7th they have plans to build a new community life center and the parking lot directly behind the church would be underground parking with around 2200 spaces and probably green space on top. I have known about this project for a little while and have known they were wanting to do a large campus improvement plan for quite a while. The parking lot right behind the church I think may have been the lot you were talking about. However, they own the lot on the corner of 8th and Demobreun and that is where White Lodging was also trying to locate a hotel.. At this time the church is still going to hold on to that lot as far as I know.

Insighter

February 28th, 2012, 01:34 PM

^ No, this is the FBC parking lot directly across 6th Avenue from Bridgestone Arena. The rumored hotel was (note past tense) discussed at the lot bordered by Demonbreun, 8th and 7th, behind the Customs House. However, this article and a post I put on here several months back mention that there has been little interest in that site of late. FBC owns part of that site too... and the tire store company owns the remainder.

This article from the NCP mentions that the current parking lot near Bridgestone (south of the church buildings and across Demonbreun from the MCC) could contain an underground parking structure according to the 25-year plan adopted by the congregation last Sunday. Also, I have heard that there would be green space above the parking, presumably at street grade.

Anyway, look at the plan, and you'll see that several existing buildings would be demo'ed for this new facility... including a 1970s era building fronting on Broadway, and a 1920s building on 7th Avenue. I am certainly not "wild" about the suburban-style port-cochere, that reminds me so much of the Centennial Medical Center's patient drop-off turnaround. http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/2/27/first_baptist_church_plan_reveals_sobro_orientation

Insighter

February 28th, 2012, 01:39 PM

Tony G. and Alex Palmer need to have CHS on speed dial right about now. :lol: Do you think this will be another corporate move barely inside the county line or could they possibly go downtown or midtown?

If they do relocate to Davidson (I don't know where to place the odds... perhaps greater than 1/3), they will very likely go just inside the county line, similar to Lifepoint's decision. The execs of those companies at C-S, just don't want to go far into Davidson (can't blame them per se), and certainly don't want to uproot their families, as many of their children are at the Williamson schools. And then there is the cost and hassle of parking downtown and in midtown, etc. So it is what it is. Still, even with incentives I don't think there are a lot of companies jumping to cross the county line. Obviously, having ready "product" for them to move into is a huge factor. I think there is a possibility (5-10%) that they will go to the airport area. BTW: That is an area where my clients have invested in, and continue to do for office.

Insighter

February 29th, 2012, 10:17 PM

Hyatt Place downtown... nice infill in an area that really needs it.

http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/2/29/sobro_hyatt_place_sets_opening_date

Insighter

March 1st, 2012, 01:56 PM

I sometimes forget that there are several large towns surrounding Nashville that have some noteworthy urban elements (e.g. Franklin, M'Boro, Springfield, Gallatin, and even B'wood and H'ville have started some). Of course, the Boro has been battling the suburban vs. urban designs in recent years. Unfortunately, the new med center and the Avenues are strictly suburban, and (IMHO) a missed opportunity. Anyway, that's not my point.

I have overlooked the fact that MTSU is now the state's largest undergraduate university (public and private) and has about a half-billion dollars in projects on the boards. Here is the latest one... http://www.dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012302270022

Insighter

March 1st, 2012, 03:27 PM

An update on the proposed Medical Mart. This piece from WKRN, via the NBJ reports that the developers have the project 40% leased... http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/morning_call/2012/03/nashville-med-mart-developers-real.html

Insighter

March 1st, 2012, 03:30 PM

And flight to the donut from the urban core by families with younger children continues. However, it looks like migration of young adults from other regions has helped Davidson grow at about 6K per year.

Anyway, here is a synopsis from the 2010 census... http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/morning_call/2012/03/married-with-children-numbers-down-as.html

Insighter

March 2nd, 2012, 11:58 PM

Hill Realty and Southeastern Ventures have bought additional land for a new larger 12South mixed use building in that area of town.... http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/3/2/12south_development_locks_up_more_land

Now the plan calls for 90 units. Good street presence here, and at 4-stories, it should fit in well in the neighborhood.

Ron-n-TN

March 3rd, 2012, 10:44 PM

Hey Insighter,

I am hearing some rumors about the SoBro area. I cant be specific because that could be a problem, but have you heard anything about any major developments that are unannounced in SoBro??

I know there are a number of entities looking and a number of local developers in that area with large holdings, but nothing solid and there could be some interesting turns without saying more.

Insighter

March 4th, 2012, 07:27 PM

Nothing specific, other than the things I mentioned about White Lodging, back before they made their announcements. I have not heard of any specifics on their second proposed hotel in SoBro... but I have heard that they do want a Marriott in SoBro. The article that appeared a short time ago that mentioned White is considering the old proposed site for the Westin between 2nd and 3rd did come as news to me. I had heard from a reliable source that White was considering two other locations... their preference was the FBC property at 8th and Demonbreun, the other portion of that same small block is owned by a GoodYear franchisee. But I believe the negotiations fell through. The other location that I heard about was the site that fronts the southside of KVB, between 5th and 6th. Contrary to my assumption that MDHA owns/controls that property for future MCC expansion, I have learned that they do not. Under the circumstances, I know that there is a bit of a "land rush" for properties along the south of KVB, and Mark Bloom is quietly snapping up properties. As he did twenty years ago with property between Broadway and (former) Franklin Street, this shows how shrewd he is. I do think the rumor of a large retail mall is false. I have not seen such a large piece of land acquired.

Of course, the rumors of the Eakin and Hensler projects in South Gulch persist, but I have heard that Hensler's now will break ground toward the end of this year (as opposed to this spring).

I would love to hear what Michael Hayes knows about SoBro, but he's been very quiet of late. Makes me wonder what he's holding close to his vest.

I guess the above is a long way of saying, "I don't know." Lots of speculation, but it's also sort of a challenge to separate fact from fiction.

My investors right now are in Chattanooga and Cartersville, and a small (potentially large) project in West Knoxville. So I have been working mostly away from Nashville for over six months. My bed and my wife and sons are still there. LOL

Ron-n-TN

March 5th, 2012, 12:53 AM

:wink2::wink2:Nothing specific, other than the things I mentioned about White Lodging, back before they made their announcements. I have not heard of any specifics on their second proposed hotel in SoBro... but I have heard that they do want a Marriott in SoBro. The article that appeared a short time ago that mentioned White is considering the old proposed site for the Westin between 2nd and 3rd did come as news to me. I had heard from a reliable source that White was considering two other locations... their preference was the FBC property at 8th and Demonbreun, the other portion of that same small block is owned by a GoodYear franchisee. But I believe the negotiations fell through. The other location that I heard about was the site that fronts the southside of KVB, between 5th and 6th. Contrary to my assumption that MDHA owns/controls that property for future MCC expansion, I have learned that they do not. Under the circumstances, I know that there is a bit of a "land rush" for properties along the south of KVB, and Mark Bloom is quietly snapping up properties. As he did twenty years ago with property between Broadway and (former) Franklin Street, this shows how shrewd he is. I do think the rumor of a large retail mall is false. I have not seen such a large piece of land acquired.

Of course, the rumors of the Eakin and Hensler projects in South Gulch persist, but I have heard that Hensler's now will break ground toward the end of this year (as opposed to this spring).

I would love to hear what Michael Hayes knows about SoBro, but he's been very quiet of late. Makes me wonder what he's holding close to his vest.

I guess the above is a long way of saying, "I don't know." Lots of speculation, but it's also sort of a challenge to separate fact from fiction.

My investors right now are in Chattanooga and Cartersville, and a small (potentially large) project in West Knoxville. So I have been working mostly away from Nashville for over six months. My bed and my wife and sons are still there. LOL

I think you hit the nail on the head with Michael. I will says he knows a lot more than he is saying and that is all I can say at this time.

Insighter

March 7th, 2012, 03:36 AM

Fun article from the NY Times about Nashville's East End... http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/02/24/travel/26surfacing.html

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2012/02/26/travel/26map-surf.html

Insighter

March 8th, 2012, 02:24 PM

From the 10SEN, here is an article about the FYE building, which started as a Packard dealership, and became several other establishments after that. It is slated for demolition to make room for a new hotel on West End...

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120307/DAVIDSON/303070023/Building-s-demise-will-take-part-city-s-auto-history-it?odyssey=mod|newswell|text||s

rocket9561

March 8th, 2012, 11:01 PM

Here's some news on a transit-oriented development in southern Gallatin near the Hendersonville border. Seems similar to the Lebanon plan proposed several months ago.

http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/3/7/developers_detail_big_gallatin_village_plans

Insighter

March 13th, 2012, 02:08 PM

More apartments in the urban core. With Gale Park and these 200+ apartments added to the block, Melrose is becoming a very dense part of the city.

From the 10SEN: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120312/NEWS01/303120057/The-Melrose-shopping-center-redeveloped-apartments-retail

Insighter

March 14th, 2012, 12:24 AM

Vandy will be a part of a new building at the Cool Springs Life Sciences campus, from the Post: http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/3/9/vumc_drug_discovery_lab_adding_cool_springs_space

Insighter

March 14th, 2012, 12:31 AM

I missed this one... but it's funny (the Glutch) from the Post: http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/3/8/uhm_that_would_be_the_gulch

Insighter

March 14th, 2012, 12:48 AM

So I am getting a chance to get "caught up". I hope you guys will check out some of these snaps from a week ago... some of the construction underway in the core. Kudos to Gannman at the SSP... http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=117104&page=22

Insighter

March 15th, 2012, 12:00 AM

I have seen a site plan for the Cooper property in Brentwood, and it includes four high-rises, up to 20-stories. The first piece is a three-story parking garage and retail. Apparently, there are at least two Fortune 500 companies looking to relocate to Nashville from the Midwest.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120314/WILLIAMSON08/303140032/Development-horizon-55-acre-Cooper-property?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Williamson County|p

Insighter

March 15th, 2012, 12:01 AM

And more business for the Gulch...

http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/3/14/chem_dry_parent_picks_nashville_for_regional_hq

rocket9561

March 15th, 2012, 08:12 PM

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120315/WILLIAMSON01/303150047/Franklin-leaders-slam-state-bills-gut-their-ability-regulate?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Here's an article from the Tennessean about Franklin's opposition to a state bill designed to strip cities of their rights to regulate building design, zoning ordinances, etc.

IMO, this is pretty ridiculous. Some of the most prosperous cities in the state (Franklin, Brentwood, Hendersonville, Mt Juliet, etc) are so successful because they have carefully planned developments that make the cities more attractive to potential residents and corporate relocations.

Look at a city with very little regulation like La Vergne and all the mess that is happening there. Why would we want to bring other cities down to that level?

qsrtyson

March 16th, 2012, 03:55 AM

Im on the fence about taking away the right to regulate designs in their city. I opened the Subway in Maryland farms about 3 years ago. When we opened the restaurant, we were with building identification because the brentwood planning commission kept putting us off. They even wrote an article in the Tennessean about our situation.

We were initially told that we could use the same sign specs of the previous tenant (Strouds BBQ). Days before we were to open we were then told that the commission wanted to meet about it. After waiting a month after opening we finally presented at their next meeting. Like a bunch of snobby pricks, they then blew us off until the next month's meeting because they wanted one change to the lighting of the sign.

So, I very much agree that these cities should have some ability to dictate the look of the buildings. However, a group of soccer moms and wanna be movers/shakers should not be in control. This committee that I dealt with hurt my business because they know nothing about business.

Insighter

March 20th, 2012, 08:53 PM

I think it's a bit funny how the self-proclaimed arbiters of style in the big cities on both coasts view places like Nashville, and even Dallas. We're supposed to be in "flyover" land, but when they come to our so-called nightspots, they are often surprised to find something different from the usual cliches where they live. Maybe they expect barefoot and bucktoothed people at every bar.

Anyway, apparently GQ was impressed by the 5-Spot... http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120320/LIFE02/120320006/GQ-names-5-Spot-party-most-stylish-America-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

On a somewhat-related note: My sister-in-law is a buyer for Neiman's, and she said that the Nashville fashion week is among her favorite events each year. She says it's easy to work with the "collaborators" and get her orders placed, whatever that means. Anyway, she is very professional, and very high-style... but as a true Texan, she knows good fashion (LOL).

Insighter

March 21st, 2012, 12:09 AM

Work will begin on Park 25 within 30 days...

http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/3/20/major_on_site_work_looms_for_park_25

Insighter

March 29th, 2012, 09:09 PM

The Post reports that 12 South flats are ready to "roll"... http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/3/29/12south_flats_ready_to_roll

Also, planning for SoBro's inevitable build-out... http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/3/29/federal_grant_to_fund_sobro_planning_study

And some old news with an update. Two Rivers church has put its land up for sale (gee, you don't think they are marketing directly to Gaylord do you?)... http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/1/30/briley_parkway_church_to_move_put_newly_valuable_land_up_for_sale and they want nearly $30M for the 38-acre parcel... http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness?page=4

Insighter

March 29th, 2012, 09:18 PM

Can you guys tell I have some time to troll the Post?

HCA's data center... http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/3/21/hca_eyes_3m_tax_break_for_data_center

http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/hca-track-3m-tax-break-new-antioch-data-center

Insighter

March 29th, 2012, 09:24 PM

And I meant to post this earlier. A new apartment building for the Chestnut Hill section of town. This is attractive residential development for lower income people... http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120328/NEWS01/303270075/Urban-Housing-Solutions-Nashville-begins-work-affordable-apartments-retail-space?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

g-man430

March 30th, 2012, 06:23 AM

Nice article in the Greenville News I saw: http://www.GreenvilleOnline.com/article/20120329/LIFE/303290016/Go-Nashville-song-weekend

GTR99

March 30th, 2012, 10:21 PM

Insighter

April 4th, 2012, 02:42 AM

So here is the latest on Nashville's (or should I say East Nashville's) hot crop of bands... from (of all places!) England's Guardian... http://m.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/mar/25/east-nashville-garage-rock-scene-feature?cat=music&type=article

Hat Tip to Annie Johnson at NBJ: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/04/england-takes-notice-of-east-nashville.html

desertpunk

April 7th, 2012, 07:44 AM

Found this render of the proposed Nashville Medical Trade Center:

http://musiccityblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/media-trade-center-legends-corner.jpg
http://musiccityblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/old-convention-centers-new-plans-delayed-but-still-underway/

ariesjow

April 7th, 2012, 06:05 PM

desertpunk

April 7th, 2012, 08:00 PM

It looks like the same rendering for the Medical Trade Center that has been floating around for a while. I don't know if many of us think this one will ever come to fruition. I haven't heard much positive news about this one at all.

It's a head scratcher because other cities like Cleveland and New York either have medical trade centers in development or on the drawing board. There's a real question of how many of these very expensdive developments the market can sustain. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that this concept hss been scrapped.

Insighter

April 11th, 2012, 11:03 PM

Vanderbilt is ready to start (next month) on the new Kissam residential college at the corner of 21st Avenue and , West End. At about 90' tall, these large brick neo-gothic buildings will be quite imposing at the college's gateway at midtown.

http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2012/04/college-halls-breaks-ground/

http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/4/9/vu_preps_for_college_halls_at_kissam

And the conversion of the Blakemore House, which must be ready to house some of those displaced by the multi-phased Kissam construction... http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/2/22/vu_moves_forward_on_blakemore_house_dorm

http://news.vanderbilt.edu/files/College_Halls_Kirkland_main.jpg

Insighter

April 11th, 2012, 11:06 PM

And Nevin at NBJ writes about an acquisition in SoBro, which may bring bigger things in the future. Fast-growing LPS Integration... http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/10/lps-integration-buys-sobro-property.html

Insighter

April 12th, 2012, 12:49 AM

Nashville will get a NHL All Star game... http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/morning_call/2012/04/nhl-commish-nashville-will-get-an.html

Insighter

April 19th, 2012, 12:45 AM

Growth was decent in the metro between 2010 and 2011... and my firm's indicators show that the growth rate doubled from 2011-2012. We project over 350K in growth by 2020.

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/04/williamson-and-montgomery-counties.html

ariesjow

April 19th, 2012, 09:33 PM

350K sounds like quite a bit of growth in 8 years. How many people did the metro add between 2000 and 2010?

rocket9561

April 19th, 2012, 10:30 PM

350K sounds like quite a bit of growth in 8 years. How many people did the metro add between 2000 and 2010?

Roughly 360,000

CVG

April 20th, 2012, 05:15 AM

280,000

http://www.s4.brown.edu/us2010/segregation2010/msa.aspx?metroid=34980

Insighter

April 20th, 2012, 06:01 AM

280,000

http://www.s4.brown.edu/us2010/segregation2010/msa.aspx?metroid=34980

Wow! I totally misread CVG's reply to Ariesjow's question. Sorry. Must be the late hour.

But on that note... I was referring to my firm's numbers for the full decade... And we have found that US Census projections are almost always too low for the markets we are in (7 in the southeast and south central states). Not since 1970-1980 have they been even close to accurate for the Nashville metro. Typically, the USCB uses previous 5-year averages to estimate future growth rates... very flawed. With all our money at stake, we prefer a more accurate estimate.

350K for the period from 2010-2020 is not that big a stretch to go from 30k per year which was what was happening before 2008... to getting back on track to an annual growth rate of 1.68% per year. And that's conservative.

Regarding the question from Ariesjow about what the growth was from 2010 to 2012... that was about 2.5 percent... but that must be taken in context of a horrible economy. Quite simply, people are not as mobile as they have been in years leading up to 2008-2009. Remember... the housing bust actually worsened in 2009... and bottomed out in late 2010 in Nashville. Most other markets have not fared so well (yet?).

ariesjow

April 20th, 2012, 04:56 PM

Thanks for the numbers and clarification, guys. Here's something else I just came by. It sounds like the Medical Mart isn't DOA after all. I'm personally taking this with a grain of salt, but quietly hoping this thing gets built. It would be amazing addition to Broadway and Nashville as a whole.

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/19/med-mart-architect-very-optomistic.html

Insighter

April 23rd, 2012, 07:14 PM

A major renovation is on the way for Bridgestone Arena... to make access from the new convention center much easier and improve the streetfront along 5th Avenue. The point is to "integrate" the arena with the convention complex, creating an entertainment district.

From NBJ: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/morning_call/2012/04/upgrades-to-bridgestone-arena-likely.html

Insighter

April 24th, 2012, 02:56 PM

I am not a fan of BRT, as I see it as just adding to the complexity of all the factors that contribute to congestion. I heard a renowned city planner refer to BRT as a "baby step that does not address the problem." He even said it was 95% wasted funds, and its redeeming aspect (the 5%) is that it gives little bit of order to commuting patterns. But then so does a well-done transit plan. Obviously, Mayor Dean thinks this is all he can get through politically, and for that it may be all Nashville can hope for. I tend to think transit solutions are far more of a planning-cum-funding-cum-P.R.-cum-time intensive proposition that needs to be approached with a total commitment (or not done at all), whether that results in LRT, dedicated bike paths, more sidewalks, better zoning, new streets, etc. It really is an example of the proverbial, "s__t or get off the pot" approach. This article points to increased ridership on the Gallatin Avenue BRT, but is that really due to the BRT or the economy, a combination, or something else?

Given that this debate has already been exhausted, here is the so-called next step to rapid transit in Nashville...

http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/bus-rapid-transit-lite-planned-murfreesboro-pike

Insighter

April 24th, 2012, 03:27 PM

And a piece from 10SEN on the trend in rising rent, even with all the new apartments rising in Middle Tennessee. I know there is an apartment boom downtown, but it is also in the suburbs. Nothing really new, but this gives a progress report on some of the higher profile developments.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120424/BUSINESS02/304240045/Middle-TN-rent-rising-demand-apartments?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

From a table accompanying the article.

Average monthly rents in 1st quarter
• Bellevue: $893, down 1.2 percent
• Donelson/Hermitage: $755, up 2.5 percent
• Franklin: $1,067, up 2.3 percent
• Mt. Juliet/Lebanon: $879, up 4 percent
• Murfreesboro: $754, up 1.4 percent
• North Nashville: $824, up 2.3 percent
• Nolensville Road: $704, up 2.6 percent
• West End/downtown: $1,286, up 4.3 percent
• Overall average: $790, up 2.7 percent

Source: Greater Nashville Apartment Association

And from Nevin Batiwalla at NBJ: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/23/nashville-apartment-occupancy-climbs.html

Insighter

April 25th, 2012, 12:08 AM

More new apartments in the core. Wedgewood Park apartments... http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120424/NEWS01/304240069/New-Wedgewood-Park-apartment-complex-built?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Insighter

April 25th, 2012, 01:37 PM

Plus, another small apartment building from Core Development with 15-units just a few blocks west of Wedgewood Park. This one at Wedgewood and Magnolia... http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/4/24/core_to_develop_apartment_building_near_hillsboro_village

Insighter

April 25th, 2012, 01:40 PM

With nothing new from the Medical Mart, it is looking increasingly like something else will occupy the existing (old) downtown convention center. House of Blues is the latest proposal. From 10SEN: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120425/COLUMNIST03/304250097/Getahn-Ward-House-Blues-medical-mart-fizzles-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

From NBJ: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/04/24/house-of-blues-eyes-nashville.html

ariesjow

April 25th, 2012, 06:08 PM

Hey_Hey

April 26th, 2012, 02:40 AM

I think the mistake is calling the Murfreesboro Rd and Gallatin Pike service bus rapid transit. It's not BRT. True BRT and light rail are essentially indistinguishable in terms of ridership, speed, frequency, and use by riders. The east-west connector is true BRT since it is separate from traffic. The Murfreesboro and Gallatin corridors are more or less express bus service. My concern is that by calling these other routes "BRT" that the riding public will equate that service to what is proposed along West End Ave. If people equate the two then in their minds the expense of the West End project isn't worth the service that will be provided.

ariesjow

April 26th, 2012, 05:40 PM

^ I agree with you as well. Calling the Murfreesboro Rd and Gallatin Rd routes BRT is silly without dedicated lanes. Regardless, I'd much rather have LRT through the West End corridor than the BRT proposed. I saw the proposal video and it doesn't change my mind one bit about this. I don't see glorified bus lines spurring development like LRT or a nice street car system. I honestly think we should demand more. It's disappointing to see us settle for mediocre mass transit initiatives. We either need to do it right or not at all.

Insighter

April 26th, 2012, 07:05 PM

So here is the big announcement from Asurion... still a private company, but one that is likely to be a F500 company in just a few short years (already over $4 billion in revenue). They announced that 500 new jobs will moved downtown in the Ragland building. This is b-i-g! And the sort of company that could very well lead to construction of a new tallest for downtown in a few years if they decide to consolidate their HQ in Grassmere with this office sometime in the future.

Good news from the Post! http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/4/25/update_asurion_bringing_500_jobs_to_downtown

Insighter

April 26th, 2012, 07:11 PM

And a story/rendering on 700 Wedgewood Park. I guess the developers realized they needed to show a rendering, as their announcement a few days ago might have been overshadowed or lost in the announcement of the apartments going up on Wedgewood in Green Hills. Anyway, more info on 700 WWP from the Post: http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/4/26/700_wedgewood_park_slated_for_november_completion

Dale

April 26th, 2012, 08:11 PM

degraw

April 26th, 2012, 10:14 PM

Insighter

April 27th, 2012, 01:39 AM

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/atlanta-falcons-seeking-nearly-1-billion-dollar-retractable-roof-stadium-042612

This is probably a very radioactive subject, but Atlanta is already looking to replace the Georgia Dome built in 1992. When do you think Nashville will start to look to replace LP Field? It was built in 1999 which is not that old but in several years they will probably need to start looking at doing that. They could either go the route of just renovating it or what I wish they would do is build a retractable dome like they have in Houston and Indy. I know this is jumping the gun and this will be met with a lot of resistance, which I can understand. I can only imagine the cost of building something like this in 10 years from now will be but I also think about all the different events Nashville could host (Super Bowl, Final Four, etc). Maybe it's just a pipe dream but I wanted to see what anyone else thought about this.

I understand from the engineering firm that built the stadium, that it had two primary constraints: Cost and future expansion as a retractible roof dome. Hence the bare-bones exterior that has been "dolled up" a bit in recent years.. and the very low open area behind both end-zones. That would be where the presumed "retracting" mechanics would be housed in a large overhead bulkhead. Let's not forget however, that the stadium was built fifteen years ago... with the technology of the day (retractible roofs were just coming onto the scene). Also, that was before the whole convention center question was settled, and Nashville decided to put it all on the downtown side. As such, I think the existence of the new CC, actually prolongs any future debate on "doming" Titans stadium.

It goes without saying that if Nashville ever wanted to host the Super Bowl, it would need an all-weather stadium. To that end, the next ten years (with the success of the CC) will determine if Nashville will get a dome in the 5-10 years after that. By then the stadium will be 25-30 years old. It will be due a whole new update (God willing the Titans will still be going strong and NFL owner extortion will have fallen out of favor)... so that's the earliest that I expect there to be a retractible dome over Titans stadium.

Insighter

April 27th, 2012, 01:45 AM

*cough* 505 CST! *cough*

LOL... I think Tony's timing may be off a bit. If he is still trying to "hawk" 505CST in 3-5 years, then can you say, "Siggy"?

Given that, I must say that any developer who wants to build the tower that Asurion would be asked to consider (remember the allure of Williamson is always present in the minds of company CEOs), should start the schmoozing game now. My money is on Michael Hayes, who has this lease in Ragland. He also controls adjacent land on which a nice new tower might be built. We can dream, huh! But my guess is that Michael is already thinking along those lines.

Insighter

April 28th, 2012, 02:47 AM

Core Development's newest project: The Chesterfield which will have 43 cottage homes in midtown. http://nashvillecitylivingblog.com/2012/04/27/core-developments-the-chesterfield-will-feature-43-residences/

Insighter

April 28th, 2012, 03:04 AM

Some flattering comments about Nashville from the Google blog...

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/in-nashville-sweet-sound-of.html#!/2012/04/in-nashville-sweet-sound-of.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/04/google-has-high-praise-for-nashville.html

Insighter

April 28th, 2012, 03:08 AM

A new 80,000 sf medical school building for Meharry and $25M in additional upgrades.

http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/cal-turner-foundation-gives-3m-meharry-new-facility

Hey_Hey

April 28th, 2012, 03:51 AM

L&C Tower Admirer

May 2nd, 2012, 11:31 PM

This was published on April 12, so it's a few days old by now. No formal proposal just yet, but I think it portends good things to come in the near future. Eakin Properties owns a parcel of land at 12th Ave and Demonbreun for a proposed 20 story condo building, and a 16-20 story office building. They also owned two parcels of land across Demonbreun that have just been sold to a group called SilverRock for the express purpose of building a midscale hotel. Per the deed a hotel is the only thing that can be built at this site.

http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/4/12/gulch_land_sale_portends_future_hotel

This proposal is more than five years old and has been revised many times!!!! You can also do some research into The Gulch and find Market Street and Eakin Partners have as many as 15 buildings in the 5 to 25 story range that have been discussed over the past year on sites like Urbanplanet.org. These are formal proposals. Bidclerk.com has had the RFP's on line for a long time, and bids for all phases of construction have been going on for at least three years. The three buildings in question are an apartment tower, a condo tower, and an office tower all within the 12-23 story range. A 17 story condo tower has also been proposed for the corner of 12th and Division where the old adult bookstore used to be. It is what was referred to as the "Sliver Building." You can go into the ICON Building and look at The Gulch map. All 15 or so projects are pictured on a large map. One that is practically construction ready is the elevated five story building that will be built right next to the Demonbreun Street Bridge. Five stories of parking will be below the bridge and five stories of office will be above the bridge.

Insighter

May 4th, 2012, 03:01 PM

Another cheesy little hotel being considered for SoBro... http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/5/3/choice_hotels_eyes_choice_sobro_land

Insighter

May 4th, 2012, 03:02 PM

And nothing new but more promises from Bill Winsor at Market Center Management regarding the Medical Mart... http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120504/BUSINESS05/305040076/Nashville-medical-mart-developer-says-has-6-new-leases?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

If/When they do get financing... then that WILL BE NEWS! Stay tuned.

Insighter

May 5th, 2012, 09:01 PM

New, very large academic building on Wedgewood for Belmont University. It will be 188,000 sf and cost $76M, rendering and a story from William Williams in the Post... http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/5/4/work_begins_on_belmont_academic_building

Insighter

May 5th, 2012, 09:05 PM

And the permit for the $32M West End Village was issued.

http://nashvillepost.com/news/2012/5/4/permit_patrol_4_may_2012

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2011/04/18/new-apartments-slated-for-west-end-area.html

Insighter

May 5th, 2012, 09:12 PM

And the new MTSU science building, with 250,000 sf and a cost of $147M.

From the 10SEN: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120505/NEWS04/120505005/MTSU-breaks-ground-new-147M-Science-Building?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Insighter

May 8th, 2012, 07:08 PM

So grapevine says that Mayor Dean is putting a lot of muscle into getting things at the Medical Trade Center underway... and also looking for a (best case) alternative for House of Blues. Grapevine also tells me that Dean might look for MDHA land near the river for a House of Blues, if the deal for MTC actually happens. One big thing Dean is using is firm deadlines. FYI: Grapevine is a composite of several reliable sources.

Brian Reisinger has a piece today on the complex financing process for the MTC, from the NBJ: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2012/05/med-mart-market-center-management-lbmc.html

ariesjow

May 8th, 2012, 07:49 PM

What other spots near the river could work for House of Blues? I've never been to one so I'm not sure what kind of footprint they would need. However, I'm really excited about the idea of one because it seems like it would provide another decent-sized concert venue to bring even more people downtown. I want to see both the MTC and House of Blues built.

Insighter

May 8th, 2012, 08:23 PM

Please go to this page, it may interest you

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1511809

It seems you placed this link in the wrong place. However, I must say that the proposed project really looks sterile and not walker-friendly. That's definitely a trend in America these days, and Boston is the probably the most walkable of all our cities.

Insighter

May 11th, 2012, 03:12 AM

Mars Petcare will break ground for their big HQ campus just south of Franklin in Thompsons Station. $88M and 4 buildings, over 500,000 sf... http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120510/WILLIAMSON12/120510019/Mars-break-ground-May-22-87-9M-campus?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

And more about Thompsons Station, from the 10SEN: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120507/WILLIAMSON12/305070021/Thompson-s-Station-lands-second-corporate-headquarters?odyssey=obinsite

Insighter

May 15th, 2012, 12:00 AM

Wellllll..... it ain't "Real Housewives...", but it's something we can call our very own. Announcing Nashville's new TV show (i.e. a "soap opera").

From the Post... http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/5/14/abc_picks_up_nashville_soap_opera

From the 10SEN: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120514/LIFE01/305140031/ABC-s-Nashville-picked-up-upcoming-season?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Insighter

May 16th, 2012, 03:42 AM

Additional apartments planned for 12South. I love the vision for this neighborhood, and I still "love me" some Mafiaoso's Pizza!

This one will be going up just two blocks from the HG Hill block... http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/05/15/new-mixed-use-12-south-project-in-the.html

http://assets.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/12th%20and%20montrose%20project*900.jpg?v=1

Insighter

May 19th, 2012, 06:23 AM

OneC1ty to land two important anchors (from William Williams in the Post)... http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/5/18/onecity_looks_to_lure_anchor_tenants

Insighter

May 19th, 2012, 06:26 AM

And from the NBJ, city officials are in the process of luring up to 2 very big, top-name hotels to downtown (SoBro)... http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2012/05/18/city-courts-4-star-hotel.html

cwilson758

May 21st, 2012, 05:17 PM

I can't believe that Nashville doesn't have 4-star brands downtown now? Hell, I would have thought that they had a 4.5...?

dReAmWiELdEr

May 21st, 2012, 06:10 PM

I can't believe that Nashville doesn't have 4-star brands downtown now? Hell, I would have thought that they had a 4.5...?

Nashville does have (at least) several four and even 4.5 star hotels... see here. (http://www.google.com/hotelfinder/#search;l=Nashville,+Tennessee;d=2012-06-03;n=1;r=4;si=)

(at least according to Google users... lol.)

Insighter

May 21st, 2012, 07:25 PM

Actually, downtown has a 5-Star/5 Diamond hotel... the Hermitage. http://thehermitagehotel2-px.trvlclick.com/homepage.aspx

But the city got caught a bit flat-footed when Omni moved in and took the convention center HQ hotel. Robert Rowling came forward with his own money, and the offer was too much to resist for all prospective competitors. Rowling also wants to take over Gaylord, so he wanted to beat (in a way) Gaylord in its own backyard. So Nashville got a 800-room downtown for very very little (land) government funding.

My friend in the mayor's office told me recently that city leaders really wanted a new tallest for downtown... but they pretty much had to take the bland box that Omni is building. That desire for a new tallest is still very much alive, and the adminiistration will try to get that with the TIF for the new hotel(s). Marriott is a key name bandied about... as well as Crown Plaza, Westin and Peabody. Several sites are being considered including the FBC property, land owned by Tower Properties, a site on lower Broadway, two blocks from the new Convention Center, and the old Thermal property with a complex of two amphitheaters and a House of Blues. The belief is that a hotel on or closer to Broadway than the Omni will so well that it could warrant as many rooms, up to 1000. Lots of stuff is going on behind the scenes... but we'll know very soon.

Insighter

May 21st, 2012, 11:07 PM

And found this trailer for the new ABC show, Nashville, on Youtube.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76fS5Kg0TXQ Amazingly, it looks like all the scenes are actually done in Nashville... buildings, houses, stores, streets, etc.

I am just old enough to remember the old show, Dallas... although at that age, I was not interested. Every so often, I catch an old one and get pulled into a world that is vaguely familiar to the city where I grew up. Still was pretty bad. Well, I hope this show does a better job than that one did for Dallas... although must have been quite successful by H'wood standards. This one reminds me of that movie with Gwyneth Paltrow, Country Strong. I think the question will be, "How long can that story line sustain itself and keep the interest of the public?" We'll see.

Insighter

May 22nd, 2012, 06:18 PM

The hotel on Division near the Terrazzo building will be a Fairfield Inn. Permits will be sought by the end of summer.

urbansouth

May 22nd, 2012, 10:18 PM

Hey fellas, I thought yall would find this relevant.
http://www.urbanophile.com/category/cities/nashville/
If you haven't heard of this blog, it's an urban planner who discusses current events in cities. Since 2008, he's seemed to have tons of good things to say about Nashville. He makes it seem like it's really coming alive, calling it "The Boomtown of the New South." My new roommates in August will both be from Nashville and I can't wait to go up and visit, haven't been in years. It's an important element of southern culture.

Anyways, I'm currently in a coffeshop in Bham posting from my phone haha. I'm in the middle of taking pics for the Birmingham Development thread, will post them this week.

Insighter

May 23rd, 2012, 06:45 PM

:cheers:Hey fellas, I thought yall would find this relevant.
http://www.urbanophile.com/category/cities/nashville/
If you haven't heard of this blog, it's an urban planner who discusses current events in cities. Since 2008, he's seemed to have tons of good things to say about Nashville. He makes it seem like it's really coming alive, calling it "The Boomtown of the New South." My new roommates in August will both be from Nashville and I can't wait to go up and visit, haven't been in years. It's an important element of southern culture.

Anyways, I'm currently in a coffeshop in Bham posting from my phone haha. I'm in the middle of taking pics for the Birmingham Development thread, will post them this week.

Thanks, Usouth, and "welcome to Nashville" (when you come here). :cheers: Keep up the good work on the Birmingham thread. That is a city I plan to get to know more about in the future.

You are right about Nashville being an important southern city (especially culturally). It is perhaps the most unique city in the region today, and (IMHO) has a fantastic "vibe". It is arguably the most creative large city in the country.

That website is interesting... I had read some of the author's observations before. He is a true "urbanophile" indeed.

I would say there are certainly other "The Boomtown(s)" of the South before I think of Nashville. Of course, there are also too many "Bust Towns" of late.

No doubt, we are in a "sweet spot" of good, healthy growth. Our metro population will be around 2 million in 2020, and there are a lot of initiatives (entrepreneurial, educational, technological, transportational, industrial, etc.) that should help build on that growth in the years to come. Growth rate is accelerating at a healthy pace, and there is more integrated planning between core and suburban communities than ever before. By many measures, we have the best academic medical center in the South... and it doesn't hurt that the seat of state government is here (no matter what you think of our lawmakers).

Similar to Dallas, Nashville is a conservative town (albeit traditionally a Democrat stronghold), so much of our infrastructure and big projects are not done with big federal funds (although the city has recently issued some breathtaking bonds for certain projects). But overall, this city is well-managed, and in this day of budget deficits galore everywhere you turn, Nashville compares well with its peers. It has a bloated Metro Council, but the flip-side to that is there is a lot of community involvement and awareness from the citizens in a sprawling county. There is also a recent effort from many camps to preserve those precious pockets of pristine wilderness that exist in the northern part of the county. So there is a distinct culture of country conservationism throughout this part of the state. Think gentlemen/women professionals during the weekdays and farmers and nature lovers in their spare time. It has been called often a "granola, but with country common sense". While I wouldn't consider "granola" anything to be much of a compliment (I went to college in Austin), I would say there is a lot of common sense in this town, and it's why I choose to live here.