Inside 440 - Berry Hill, Midtown, Vanderbilt, 12S, WeHo, Fairgrounds, etc.

[PaulChinetti]

Updates on 2 projects from Somera Road. 

https://courbanize.com/projects/1300martin/updates/29920

[markhollin]

^ ^ ^ I enlarged an image from the update that shows proposed massing for the Martin & Merritt Somera Road project.  The boutique hotel is 6 stories and will be on the SE corner of Merritt Ave. and Martin St. the residential block appears to also be 6 stories at its tallest, and scaling down as low as 3 stories in some sections along Hamilton Ave. There is also a public green space along Merritt Ave. 

They also allude to their other WeHo project 2 blocks to the NW called 475 Humphreys.  It is being proposed at 4 stories (ground level retail and 3 stories of office space). Somera Road's company HQ will be located in this structure. They will pursue an SP that calls for the site to be rezoned from commercial/manufacturing to mixed-use retail/office with an internal garage. No massing render for this one.

In both cases Pfeffer Tode is listed as the architect.
 

This screen shot from Smeagolsfree's excellent development map shows the Martin & Merritt site highlighted in teal:

The 475 Humphreys project is highlighted in teal:

[smeagolsfree]

There were a lot more images in the package that Paul posted.

The hotel will be about 6 stories with a rooftop area and the residential will be 3-5 stories. The mill buildings will be rehabbed for retail.  The new building that will go at 475 Humphreys will be about 4 stories according to a massing diagram in the package as well.

 

More images

 

[PaulChinetti]

Oh I missed those yellow and orange overlay images. It sits better in my mind now. 

I'm on the job hunt, and then ruptured my achilles (would not recommend) a few weeks ago, once all that is resolved I plan to get back to droning. I'll definitely get back to this area among all the others.

[CenterHill]

These two slides, wow!    What a great comprehensive overview of all the different developments going on in Wedgewood Houston.    It's astounding. 

[markhollin]

50 minutes ago, PaulChinetti said:

I'm on the job hunt, and then ruptured my achilles (would not recommend) a few weeks ago, once all that is resolved I plan to get back to droning. I'll definitely get back to this area among all the others.

Sorry about your injury, Paul.  May you heal quickly and well.  Look forward to more of your drone work when you are up and about.  : )

[Nash_12South]

Taqueria del Sol, on 12 South, is closing June 30th, it was announced today. As a regular, we are crushed. It has great drinks and food, reasonably priced. It is always busy. I can only guess that the rent is going up too much. 

Edited April 6, 2023 by Nash_12South

[PaulChinetti]

Oh man, love that place. That's no good. 

[markhollin]

Story on the Martin & Merritt project by Somera Rd. behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/details-unfold-for-planned-wedgewood-houston-project/article_af433686-d4af-11ed-976f-ef92beda27be.html

An additional diagram:

[Nash_12South]

In thinking about it more, Taqueria must have opened about 10 years ago so their lease is likely up. They also have the least media (Instagram) presence of any of the restaurants on 12th, and as ridiculous as it sounds, it matters. They charge less for food and drink than most other spots, which is why families love them. That's likely part of their "problem".

[drewbert]

I've contributed to, and read all the comments the Somera project web page asking for input - and I have to agree with a lot of the suggestions for what the community needs. TBH I'm not seeing any of that in these plans. They're asking for dog parks and grocery stores and mid-range retail and dining. Haven't seen one request for a boutique hotel...

[markhollin]

Vanderbilt Univ.  Power Plant update: crane erected and foundation being dug.

Looking south from Children's Way, just west of 25th Ave. South:

Looking NW from 25th Ave. South, 1/4 block north of Children's Way:

[smeagolsfree]

I had to do a little research, and this is for the new power plant at Vanderbilt. 

Construction of new power plant begins at Recreation Field – The Vanderbilt Hustler

Vanderbilt to begin utility and infrastructure upgrades for campus growth | Vanderbilt University

 

[samsonh]

12 hours ago, drewbert said:

I've contributed to, and read all the comments the Somera project web page asking for input - and I have to agree with a lot of the suggestions for what the community needs. TBH I'm not seeing any of that in these plans. They're asking for dog parks and grocery stores and mid-range retail and dining. Haven't seen one request for a boutique hotel...

I am sure the developers would love an anchor tenant like a grocery store. But grocery stores generally pick where they want to go and the development happens. Simply isn’t enough density YET for a grocery store or every day retail to make sense. That point will happen soon if development continues at this pace.

[markhollin]

Some more details and renderings for Somera Road's 475 Humphreys project:

- 4 stories
- First floor will feature 13,000 sq. ft. of commercial space
- 2nd-4th floors will have 73,094 sq. ft. of office space
-Internal garage will have 205 parking spaces
 

[smeagolsfree]

As far as I know this will be office and retail only. and where their office will be located afterward.

[PaulChinetti]

50 minutes ago, markhollin said:

Some more details and renderings for Somera Road's 475 Humphreys project:

- 4 stories
- First floor will feature 13,000 sq. ft. of commercial space
- 2nd-4th floors will have 73,094 sq. ft. of office space
-Internal garage will have 205 parking spaces

Is there the need for that much office space in Nashville currently?

[smeagolsfree]

Remember that AJ Cap is going to ass a lot of office space as well in their buildings.

[PaulChinetti]

They have a lot of junk in the trunk? haha

[Bos2Nash]

15 hours ago, drewbert said:

I've contributed to, and read all the comments the Somera project web page asking for input - and I have to agree with a lot of the suggestions for what the community needs. TBH I'm not seeing any of that in these plans. They're asking for dog parks and grocery stores and mid-range retail and dining. Haven't seen one request for a boutique hotel...

This is where the development world and neighborhoods crash. As mentioned above, grocery stores are typically anchors tenants and will want to spearhead their development. What the market drives is also different than what the neighborhoods drive. I think alot of that also comes back to the density comment made. You get a place dense enough and that pocket of density can begin to drive its own market, but when that density isn't there, the market expands outward which changes what is demanded and what will sell. 

People speak out against apartments, but if we want things like grocery stores, retail (that can pay the market rents), etc. we need to have the density and people that will support those places. 

[drewbert]

8 hours ago, Bos2Nash said:

People speak out against apartments, but if we want things like grocery stores, retail (that can pay the market rents), etc. we need to have the density and people that will support those places. 

Yeah, fair point. I don't think anyone is expecting Kroger to set up shop in the area, I wouldn't want that anyhow. Bunch of us miss Sassafras Market, just a little corner shop/deli where E+Rose is now. I'm not aware of details why they failed, but IMHO they unwisely stocked  expensive organic brands, and didn't carry a lot of everyday staples. They opened when there were far fewer people in the area than there will be soon. I hope someone tries again before too long.

I'm probably premature in saying this, but a 'community driven project' isn't what I see yet. 

Edit: eh, I'm going to retract this. I didn't get to go to the public meeting, and I'm far from an expert at these things anyhow. I will step back and see what happens next

Edited April 8, 2023 by drewbert
retracting...

[markhollin]

Clarendale West End (5 stories, 172 senior living units, underground garage) update: foundation walls and pillars set across site.

Looking north from Fairmont Drive,  1/2 block west of West End Ave:

Looking NW from Fairmont Drive,  1/2 block west of West End Ave:

[markhollin]

Haven Charlotte  (9 & 10 stories, 316 units, internal garage) update: topped-out on southern section.

Looking south from Charlotte Ave., just west of City Ave:

Looking SW from City Ave., just north of City Blvd:

Looking west from City Place, 1/2 block south of City Blvd:

Looking SW from City Place, just west of The Shay:

Looking NW from City Place, just south of The Shay:




Looking SE from intersection of Trevor St. and 33rd Ave. North:

Looking SE from I-440 where it crosses over Charlotte Ave:

[markhollin]

The Krispy Kreme at 2103 Elliston Place has has erosion fencing up in prep for demo.

Looking SE from intersection of 21st Ave. North and Elliston Place:

[Bos2Nash]

On 4/9/2023 at 6:16 AM, markhollin said:

Haven Charlotte  (9 & 10 stories, 316 units, internal garage) update: topped-out on southern section.

Looking south from Charlotte Ave., just west of City Ave:

Looking SW from City Ave., just north of City Blvd:

Looking west from City Place, 1/2 block south of City Blvd:

Looking SW from City Place, just west of The Shay:

Looking NW from City Place, just south of The Shay:




Looking SE from intersection of Trevor St. and 33rd Ave. North:

Looking SE from I-440 where it crosses over Charlotte Ave:

Even though I am not too hopeful with the overall finished product of this building, it may be one of THE MOST efficient apartment buildings in the city due to it's parking layout and apartment layout.