memphian

Most people here in Memphis are impressed by Nashville's growth. Many Memphians left to become part of it. There is always going to be some rivalry but in the long run we have been cursed with a less-progressive population and poor leadership here in Memphis. I will say this; I wish Nashville had a public university like the U of M - something the entire city could stand behind. Having come from Nashville, and now living in Memphis, I really the University of Nashville still existed.

I actually like this one. It has some nice features. Just hoping it isn't stucco. Dang Nashville is turning into a hotelier's dream city! I hope the city looks into recruiting at the big hotel schools - there isn't enough local talent to fill the positions at all these hotels.

I would have thought Dallas might've been considered more of a number 3 based solely on the appetite for fashion and the retail options, anchored by Neiman Marcus' headquarters. Apparently Columbus has a great fashion scene, too. It sounds like a prescription for how to lock down the number 3 spot if you look at the categories we did not win. Glad we have glamour though! Nice press for Nashville.

The Stouffer Hotel - I miss seeing that name.

I like the green "living wall" that covers the parking garage of 7 City Place.

I'd say the design is spot on for today's luxury hotel market (JW Marriott is considered a luxury brand by Smith Travel Research). The industry's shift to modern clean lines and the designer admitting they were going for a masculine feel make sense when you look at the renderings. Though we should remember these are renderings so we can't see the quality of the FF&E (furniture, fixtures, & equipment). I don't disagree with directing the design to appeal to the male business traveler for that level of the hotel market, especially since the Westin has a decidedly feminine appeal to it. Overall a good, grown-up look that many visitors enjoy.

I hear you! I am starting my PhD next year and I really need TECH to pick up my area of study. LOL

I like how the area is growing. TECH is surely the catalyst for much of the growth and now that it is one of only three nationally ranked universities in the State (Vanderbilt, UT, and TECH) it will surely continue to evolve. Between campus and downtown has cleaned up rather nicely over the years. And, downtown has different districts - like the westside, the square, etc. I am looking forward to the hotel in downtown.

I think they're going to replace them. I remember some nuclear engineering labs were under one side and then a tv station, racquetball courts, and ROTC classrooms were on the Ither side. The stands are old so it makes sense to tear down and rebuild , plus they need new press boxes and reception suites. Nuclear engineering was dropped not too long after the Cold War ended. TECH/MTSU games used to sell it out over Thanksgiving weekend - back when that rivalry was hot.

I had drinks with a College of Business Director of Development last fall when she was in Memphis (asking us alumni for money). She told me that Tucker Stadium will become a horseshoe with the open end facing 12th Street. The new enclosed end zone is supposed to house athletics space/offices, primarily football stuff. If done well, this should be a great improvement to game days ate TECH. OVC Football isn't exactly a lot of fun so anything to make the experience better is a win for the university.

There is something to be said for both old buildings and new ones! If Nashville could get a couple of the older buildings in Memphis and Memphis could get some of the newer ones in Nashville, it could make for some really cool urban areas. I'd like to see something like this built in SoBro (this building is in the Chelsea area of NYC).

Maybe once there is a massing of boring buildings it will force a developer to actually break out of the proverbial box. They'll want their development to stand out in a sea of bland towers. Who knows?

There appear to be some rather large flood walls separating the river from the buildings. This might be just a drawing or it could actually reflect plans to address possible flooding.

Does BNA even have a working customs and immigration area? I recall seeing one in Concourse A once upon a time but it doesn't seem capable of accommodating even one moderately sized international flight.

I actually like the stair step detail on the side. Of course I'd like it more if it were 40 stories but I'm not paying for it so I'll just enjoy looking at the parts I like for free!

Interesting that UTN had an enrollment of 6,000, in the 1970's. I'm guessing this was a total headcount of even non university level students. So much for TSU having the campus, they've not capitalized on it at all. They'd be better off giving it to MTSU or the state should re-charter the University of Nashville as an urban institute (similar to Memphis, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Houston). There's opportunity for higher education downtown.

I would like to see one of these in downtown (SoBro or North side of CBD near Parkway Towers) as well as on on the East Bank. Basically Skyhouse West, Downtown, and East and because of their locations, they'd each feel unique. Although I'd go 35 floors downtown. Now if I just had the cash...

TSU has an opportunity to break free from their past and use the downtown campus to fuel growth by offering beefed-up degrees that complement what the business community needs. Unfortunately they now also have to worry about all the other area universities which have just been freed from TBR rule. The days of "territories" are over and now MTSU, Austin Peay, TECH, and even Memphis can plop a campus down anywhere their new boards desire. Lipscomb has already begun the process of claiming downtown. It's nice to see the cbd become more than bars and office workers.

I actually like the Lipscomb dormitory. Would be cool if it were 2-3 stories taller.

How about a twin hotel? It could be a Hard Rock Hotel and they could duke it out to see which property can play on their perspective theme the best. LOL

I don't dislike it at all because it takes in money from people who want to stay in Nashville. If the branding goes away in the future it will be a great conversion to another brand. Nashville's growth is still in a very young stage. The architectural gems come in a later stage when the city develops a higher barrier to entry type of market. This hotel is pure fun and the tourists will most-likely love it.

I'm sure they'll have to add windows on those walls (or have windowless rooms). This building might be a funky-looking thing if it were given a new glass façade. I'm trying to figure out branding. Maybe Hotel Indigo or Clarion since those are the current relationships Patel has?

It takes new hotels a bit of time to catch the wind in their sails. I'm sure this hotel will be up-to-par (service-wise) in the next few months. They have an experienced GM who can lead them to success. The only thing that might be working against them is the Marriott/Starwood buyout. I'm sure the old guard at starwood currently have their hands tied and the hotel might not be receiving the same level of support as it would have just a few months ago.

Downtown is lacking a true mixed-use project.

It kind of has a Franklin vibe to it but I like it. I can't remember if any hotels have been announced for this immediate area - seems like a good place to drop at least one 150-200 room property.