ATLBrain

I am a minority investor in a partnership that builds office condos in suburban Atlanta, and I know very little about development (that speaks either to my stupidity as an investor or the trust I have in the leaders of the partnership... actually it's more of the latter). Anyway, the partnership is an umbrella company that creates corporate entities for each of its project (one way to manage all the various financial partners for respective projects). BTW: Only about a third of the time do we involve banks, and our D/E ratio never exceeds a conservative 25%, which is fairly safe in the risky game of real estate. Of course, our largest project (so far) hasn't been more than $15 million (a pittance compared to TG's task of funding Signature). The reason I divulge this is that our partnership has researched the feasibility of a hotel in a fast growing area and backed off. It would have been part of an emerging office complex. However, the hotel was to be set up like any other separate entity and include a national hotel franchiser/operator as an equity partner. I don't know too many of the specifics of this would-be project, but one of the key people who run the umbrella company used to own several hotels before he got into the development business.

Given all the technology devoted to showing the building in its prospective setting, it's probably going to look a lot like what we've seen (if that is the go-forward design). Personally, I like the desing, but I think it's about 300ft too tall. I know that strikes some as heresy, but I think the lines are graceful and the materials look good together. As Richard says, though, we won't know until we see how lighting affects the final product. I still hope this gets built. On a related note, Richard (I believe) referred to a conversation with TG and said there would be some "fun", big announcement later this week. Is that going to be from TG? Does it relate to any existing/announced projects, or something altogether new? I'm sorry if the quote above isn't completely accurate, but seems like I remember the word "fun".

They have really dropped a lot of money into DT... plus, I see that they have a super-exclusive equestrian/housing development in Pulaski.

The news of so many projects in north DT make me very curious as to what's going on there. It sounds as though that part of the city is shaping up to be a quite pedestrian oriented residential quarter. How's the development quality there? Have any of the meet-ups of forumers explored that area of town?

Was the driver of the car trying to outrun the train?

^^ I'm feeling like you are correct on this (Unfortunately!!). Beautiful design, but I'm having doubts this thing will ever see daylight. Would one of you guys ask Tony if we could have it in Atlanta when you guys are done with it?

These Lofts on 8th look hideous... bland, faux-sto exterior, and (gasp!) is that a parking lot in the front? I guess not all the projects in Nashville will look great. Isn't this one near Wedgewood? http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl...6/1196/COUNTY01

Thanks for the invite. I'd like to, but it's probably going to be before then. I have to go when the client says "jump" LOL... actually I believe it will be the end of next week on Thu-Fri.

A couple of links on proposed projects: High density (93 homes and retail on 7 acres) near I-440 and Franklin Road (in Melrose)... http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl...6/1196/COUNTY01 And new phases of the project at Wedgewood and Eighth Ave. south (also in Melrose) including Glass Factory Lofts... http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...5/1196/COUNTY01 I'll be coming up to Nashville in the next few weeks, and I think I'll even have a couple of hours to take a spin around town. Sounds like there is much to see.

Hey, what's wrong with rednecks? I'm proud of my redneck lineage... fourth generation. FWIW: I enjoy looking at a well designed and very tall high rise. Of course, we have several, how shall I say this... unattractive architectural follies here. But I just don't look at them if I don't have to. Anyhooo, I saw this out on the Business Journals site. I guess it's not news to you guys by now. Just a question, the article mentions that the middle section has 269 flats for sale in the 400K-650K range on floors 13 thru 39. Comparing for a moment to Viridian (I don't recall their prices), how tall of a task does it look like Giarratana has to sell those 269 units? I'm sure it's not a apples-to-apples comparison as Signature is to be more "upscale". http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stori...ml?surround=lfn

I was wondering about that b/c those recent articles on the numbers of homes sold in 2006 always refer to the inventory of homes on the market and they've consistently been in the 14k-16k range.

I will admit that if this thing is built, I will be jealous. Although, I'm glad it's being planned b/c it's very beautiful, and I'm not worried about Atlanta never getting another tall one. Maybe Signature will inspire the next one in my home town. If we can't see this in Atlanta, I'm glad it's going up in a city that I have a lot of fondness for. Nashville has changed so much since I graduated fifteen years ago, but it hasn't become overly slick and stuffy. It's time the city get something this striking, as if an exclamation to the rest of the country that the city's "arrived." Having said that, I have absolutely no idea what the chances are of this getting built. However, it's fun to follow the progress, even if it's not much more than scuttlebutt at this juncture. I think everybody who's been on this forum for any length of time is quite aware that Tony is a showman. That shouldn't take the fun out of adding/reading observations and updates on the site. They're no more silly than speculative comments on the other threads. We won't have to wait much longer. We'll know very soon if this becomes reality.

Gosh, that really is a beautiful proposal. I hope it will be built. However, Gaushell, can you tell me why the restaurant section was designed to look so radically different from the tower. Will the amenities deck be built atop the restaurant.

Why do I remember a post from somebody (Gaushell??) a few months back saying that the sales center for Signature will be at the Viridian?

OIC, thanks. Do you know who is developing it? I find it interesting that it appears to be the same property that Vastland had slated for their 12+ story office building. However, that one may be what's being called 1725 Hayes (which of course would be near 17th Ave. on Hayes ... between West End and Hayes). So has anybody seen any real proposal announced for this twin tower project? Is the 3-story base a part of the total 17 floors?

What is currently sitting on this parcel? Is that the corner across from the Marriott Courtyard? There is a Mrs. Winners at one corner, a gas station at another, and an abandoned bank building at another.

^^ Looking closely at the 8&H diagram, I see that the plan calls for 89 residential units and 5,000 sqft of retail. With a total of 110K sqft, this building is a significant infill on (what appears to be) a whole "block" in Germantown.

Thanks for that DC... can't wait to see that part of town sometime in the near future. I saw on the link above that the 8th and Hume project is going before the Metro Council on March 6. http://enclave-nashville.blogspot.com/2007...h-and-hume.html

^^ That's too bad. A little foresight and planning would have made a world of difference (especially on a sweltering July afternoon)...and far more attractive than those faux bricks. "Green Building" anyone?

Sure that's not District Lofts? Looks a lot like the rendering. Doesn't Harrison Square look like a block building with a parking lot in front (3 stories or so)? Another thing I've noticed about the G'town area... the sidewalks (many of which are very old and in need of repair) should be replaced sometime in the future with new walks and medians (for trees). That would add so much to any DT residential area. It would resemble the residential streets of the city center in Philly.

Thanks for the pics. It's great to see things still building. Question: Is there any news on this project at 8th and Hume? http://enclave-nashville.blogspot.com/2006...pment-goes.html

Where is Glass Factory being built?

Wow, many of those projects actually look good. I thought that the hodgepodge on Long would look bad (and I'm still wondering), but those developments indicate that the neighborhood will actually retain some greenspace around the streets, like an intown neighborhood. We just got an approximate count of the units under construction in the Gulch. Does anybody have a quick-rundown of the numbers in the West End Park/Vandy area? Thanks for the pics, Ron.

That looks like a tenement building.

shows what I know. I didn't even know Wachovia was in TN.