Ritz Carlton Hotel /Residential (46 stories & 32 stories, 240 rooms, 150 condos, 185 apts,), 560 capacity garage

[Sean blackdog]

19 minutes ago, nashville born said:

Let's start here....spectacular development as is!  Having said that, I'm starting a petition to compel the Ritz to stack the 10 unused floors of bonus height from the apartment building ON TOP of the main tower!!!  I give you...MEGA RITZ!!!! 

That's a good tasting cracker!

[nashville born]

21 minutes ago, Sean blackdog said:

At a minimum height of 669', absolutely!  IMO of course.

[Bos2Nash]

2 hours ago, nashville born said:

stack the 10 unused floors of bonus height from the apartment building ON TOP of the main tower!

hmmmm, this does get me thinking that the fact that they highlighted these floors without using them may indicate that this could be a "feeder" site and the height could be transferred to another development in town. Compete and utter speculation of course, but Transferring Development Rights has been utilized recently in town and could very easily be utilized again.

[markhollin]

The Metro Development and Housing Agency Design Review Committee on Tuesday reviewed the concept plan for a Ritz-Carlton slated for SoBro but did not take a vote.

The two-building development will sit within MDHA’s Capitol Mall Redevelopment District and, as such, DRC approval of the concept plan and for the buildings’ exterior forms and functions will be needed.

Parker Brown, MDHA urban development manager, said the meeting was devoted to providing information. A date on which the committee will take the vote has not been finalized.

Brown said DRC members were comfortable with the plan as outlined overall.

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/mdha-committee-assesses-plan-for-sobro-ritz-carlton/article_d971ab62-0fef-11ec-a171-67de6d9c3691.html

[nashvylle]

Ritz Carlton NYC… I imagine Nashville’s RC will have a similar massing. 

[Mr_Bond]

On 9/7/2021 at 11:54 AM, Bos2Nash said:

hmmmm, this does get me thinking that the fact that they highlighted these floors without using them may indicate that this could be a "feeder" site and the height could be transferred to another development in town. Compete and utter speculation of course, but Transferring Development Rights has been utilized recently in town and could very easily be utilized again.

Does anyone know if they can sell these unused floors?  Under what conditions can they be used by a different entity?

[Bos2Nash]

40 minutes ago, Mr_Bond said:

Does anyone know if they can sell these unused floors?  Under what conditions can they be used by a different entity?

Yes they can. Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is a relatively common practice that has been utilized from time to time in Nashville. "Sending Sites" have to site within specific areas, "Sites within any Council-adopted Historic Preservation District or Historic Landmark District within Downtown Nashville". There is a procedure for the purchase (or donation) of the development rights that one would have to go through, but it is very feasible.

While I am not sure if this property sits in a "sending site district" (I do not believe the Capital Mall Redevelopment District counts, but I could be wrong), the SoBro receiving site district is approximately outlined in red via the description in the municipal code. This project is outlined in blue. 

To me is would be feasible to think that the developer here could work a deal to sell the unused bonus height to another developer. If I had to speculate, the Ragland lot fronting KVB and 2nd Avenue would be a perfect spot to acquire some additional development rights.

[smeagolsfree]

4 hours ago, Bos2Nash said:

To me is would be feasible to think that the developer here could work a deal to sell the unused bonus height to another developer. If I had to speculate, the Ragland lot fronting KVB and 2nd Avenue would be a perfect spot to acquire some additional development rights.

I think that area is one of the areas in SoBro at least fronting 2nd that they can go unlimited with height. I would have to go back and look at the silly chart, but maybe Taylor can help me out. So they would not even need to transfer height there if that’s the case.

[Bos2Nash]

26 minutes ago, smeagolsfree said:

I think that area is one of the areas in SoBro at least fronting 2nd that they can go unlimited with height. I would have to go back and look at the silly chart, but maybe Taylor can help me out. So they would not even need to transfer height there if that’s the case.

You gotta remember though, it’s not truly unlimited height, it’s unlimited bonus height. And to get that, you need to check certain boxes. With a TDR arrangement, the only box is finding a sender site and agreeing to terms (and getting city sign off). No need to worry about things like LEED or public parking. So you could pair a TDR arrangement with say getting LEED Silver accreditation. (Which is honestly the lowest hanging fruit a developer can do) and easily get 4 floors plus the 10 unused here. Boom 14 additional floors. 
 

Thats enough to piss off some CL folks haha

[Nashcago]

It's great that this brand wants to invest in Nashville and in such a big way, though I'm slightly let down that we're getting two more "Boxes" added to the skyline. The taller of the two may look similar to the Four Seasons... Another great brand, less than inspiring design.  Overall, very exciting about this, but I dream of the day when someone will push Nashville past the boxy phase and go for something a but more interesting. 

[Rick Dalton]

21 minutes ago, Nashcago said:

It's great that this brand wants to invest in Nashville and in such a big way, though I'm slightly let down that we're getting two more "Boxes" added to the skyline. The taller of the two may look similar to the Four Seasons... Another great brand, less than inspiring design.  Overall, very exciting about this, but I dream of the day when someone will push Nashville past the boxy phase and go for something a but more interesting. 

I disagree. Sure it’s rectangular, but most buildings are. I think there’s a lot of subtle detail here and the “green belts” reduce the “boxiness”. This seems to be something they’ve spent a great deal of time/money on.

[chris holman]

[NissanvilleTitans]

I feel the same as nashcago. Sure it's a double and they're tall and that's exciting but they are just boxes. Nothing interesting at the top. Just a box top. Don't get me wrong, I'm still excited about the project though. It's a fantastic addition but a non-box would be very much welcomed.

[downtownresident]

Hadn’t seen these renderings posted yet. I found them on the M2 Development website: 

[PillowTalk4]

I know it's just a rendering, but dang, did they really have to reduce Nashville's skyline so much?  

[markhollin]

M2 Development's team will go before MDHA Design Review Committee today to seek concept plan approval.

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/ritz-carlton-project-proposal-back-on-mdha-agenda/article_af043f10-1a45-11ec-8240-939227e08a72.html

[nashvylle]

2 hours ago, markhollin said:

M2 Development's team will go before MDHA Design Review Committee today to seek concept plan approval.

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/ritz-carlton-project-proposal-back-on-mdha-agenda/article_af043f10-1a45-11ec-8240-939227e08a72.html

MDHA: "Please make this 11 stories". 

[Mr_Bond]

3 hours ago, PillowTalk4 said:

I know it's just a rendering, but dang, did they really have to reduce Nashville's skyline so much?  

They had to exclude the Four Seasons and the Grand Hyatt.

[smeagolsfree]

Remember MDHA has no control over height.

[PillowTalk4]

2 hours ago, Mr_Bond said:

They had to exclude the Four Seasons and the Grand Hyatt.

Neither of which would have been in that rendering.  But why include the Renaissance? And, why leave out several office buildings.  Not even the iconic L&C.  And, look at out how disproportionate they made the R2D2 building to Batman .

I think they were trying to play down the skyline to make their box standout even more.... 

[markhollin]

MDHA Design Review Committee approves the Ritz concept plan. Early 2022 groundbreaking planned pending Metro approvals. 

More behind  Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/mdha-oks-ritz-carlton-project-concept-plan/article_dea2a664-1b10-11ec-a10e-d7718691976b.html

[MLBrumby]

So what does MDHA approving the concept plan do for getting this through planning?  I'm guessing MDHA is responsible for development along KVB, but does this improve the chances it gets approved by Metro planning with no modifications?  

Edited September 21, 2021 by MLBrumby

[smeagolsfree]

MDHA only approves materials and such in the overlay district.  Planning approves zoning, height, etc. Some overlap with the DTC which approves bonus height and things related to the bonus height. I am over simplifying this but it is what it is. 

MDHA IMO we can do without as the Design districts and TIF for these areas have outlived their usefulness and the need for any TIF for any kind of improvement district.

Let MDHA do what the do best and that is manage Metro’s Housing Authority and get out of the downtown development business. It had its place at one time about 15 years ago, but no longer.

[Rick Dalton]

There's no way the city can deny this. This is a big money, signature building. Have to push it through.

[smeagolsfree]

I think they have all of the approvals they need now. I think it just has to get through the final design, and permitting stages. Looks like we may have 3 big projects U/C around the round-about at the same time. Grading permit for 800 Lea has been applied for as well as Circle South looks to be eminent construction anytime.

There may be some more surprises coming close by on Lafayette I can’t talk about. Foundation permit for first building of Somera Road project Applied for as well.