Inner Loop - CBD, Downtown, East Bank, Germantown, Gulch, Rutledge

[CandyAisles]

? can you explain what you are referring to?

 

I meant this as a compliment to the project.  This site is tiny.  Where the white, red, and black cars are located in this Google aerial leaves very little room for development across the site from streetside to the back side.  The curved portion of 11th Avenue surely creates some difficulties as well.  Development has to make sense in Nashville for projects to happen.  Property values aren't at a price point here where every open lot requires something to be built on it.

[smeagolsfree]

BTW, Past Perfect is closed.

 

Wow, I had no idea they had shut down!  It's been a while since I was down that block...did they close recently?

Yes, I guess it was in the last three weeks or so.

 

http://www.nashvillescene.com/bites/archives/2014/07/28/past-perfect-restaurant-closes-owner-working-to-launch-new-concept

[nashvillwill]

Is anyone taking this proposal seriously? The more I see, the more I doubt these guys have any idea what they are doing. No doubt, they are successful business owners, but they seem totally inept at development.

Also, they are either completely lying about the purpose of this building, or they don't know what a diner is. I just don't see how it can work as a "diner".

[CandyAisles]

I mean, is there an architect involved? Structurally, does this work? I'm not an engineer, but I promise you the cinderblock foundation in place now will not support the torque of the overhanging floors. You're going to need to start over with steel frame in concrete to accomplish this. Seems more like an "up yours" gesture to the planning commission and Tony than a serious proposal.

But I will say, all of this diner drama has provided great summer entertainment!

 

If it is 6 floors, it is likely to be steel or concrete.  Wood structures can't go this tall without a lot of exceptions.

[CenterHill]

The name of the architect is  Quirk Designs.

"The new design will add approximately $1 million to the project’s cost, as the building, if Metro approves the design, will be steel frame instead of stick frame, according to Steve Meisner, Avenue Diner LLC counsel and an attorney with Brewer Krause Brooks Chastain & Burrow."

Ah, i hadn't read the article. Quirk Designs is Preston Quirk, who does good work. Still, this seems hard to take seriously, and by that I mean I'm sure the owner asked for the redesign, but is he serious about building such a thing? At an additional million bucks, will we be able to afford the scrambled eggs?!

[UTgrad09]

If we're going to go with tacky, why not clad the thing in chrome and have a 6 story streamliner-inspired 50s style diner.

 

Like this, but stretched to an absurd 6 stories!

 

[donNdonelson2]

Cue Reba..."I might have been born just plain white trash, but FANCY is my name!"

[smeagolsfree]

Mark Montgomery's Ink building project moves forward. I know demo work was going on week before last. They will be adding two floors to part of the building and it is located next to the City Winery building.

https://www.nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2014/8/22/ink_building_to_see_2m_in_additions

[smeagolsfree]

I almost deleated the UA comments when I first saw them. I was hoping maybe they would not be commented on. So I have deleated that post and the response. I don't want any of the comments taken the wrong way. Sorry guys. Just being pro active. I understaand where you are at, but others on the board or non members reading may not.

[CenterHill]

With all the buzz about restoration and reuse of downtown buildings for boutique hotels and otherwise, I'd love to see this downtown gem restored someday.   This one is on 5th and there are many others like it with the upper floors empty and falling further into disrepair.    The demand for apartments and lofts in the downtown core has never been higher and the owners of these properties are missing a real opportunity to capitalize on these assets. 

 

 

 

[e-dub]

i love that building... as i love nearly everything on 5th.

[UTgrad09]

With all the buzz about restoration and reuse of downtown buildings for boutique hotels and otherwise, I'd love to see this downtown gem restored someday.   This one is on 5th and there are many others like it with the upper floors empty and falling further into disrepair.    The demand for apartments and lofts in the downtown core has never been higher and the owners of these properties are missing a real opportunity to capitalize on these assets. 

 

photo.JPG

 

Like e-dub, I love the buildings on 5th. A few (like Kress) have already been converted, but I think that would be a logical area for lofts. I would also like to see an upgrade to the retail component below.......they can do better than that (mainly talking about the metal roll-up doors/windows).

 

I think perhaps some of the issue is parking. Perhaps with the new MDHA garage, parking spot rental or purchase may be available, and help push for more upper floor redevelopment.

[Bezoar]

This one slipped past me last week:  New brewery slated for Germantown:  http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2014/08/new-brewery-slated-for-germantown.html

Good use for this interesting building.  

[smeagolsfree]

crap. I saw it and forgot to post it. Going to be another cool project in Germantown.

[chelovek]

I think perhaps some of the issue is parking. Perhaps with the new MDHA garage, parking spot rental or purchase may be available, and help push for more upper floor redevelopment.

 

The other big issue is bringing the buildings up to code during renovations. Its not so difficult to do that for the first story, but retrofitting the upper stories to allow for emergency ingress and egress that is up to today's codes while retaining enough floorspace for lofts or whatever is tough. Kress lofts was able to do it by combining multiple adjacent buildings that now share a fire escape.

[Vrtigo]

I would also like to see an upgrade to the retail component below.......they can do better than that (mainly talking about the metal roll-up doors/windows).

Agreed! Those roll-up doors are horrid... Such a detriment to what would otherwise be a very attractive block. I would hope such security precautions, while once certainly a necessity, are no longer of any use.

In due time, I suppose...

[CenterHill]

Agreed! Those roll-up doors are horrid... Such a detriment to what would otherwise be a very attractive block. I would hope such security precautions, while once certainly a necessity, are no longer of any use.

In due time, I suppose...

 

Agree about the roll up doors, which send the wrong message about an otherwise very safe street.    The businesses on the West side of 5th (Frothy, Pucketts, Blue Coast, the art galleries, etc) almost all lack the security doors.    These few on the East side of the street have retained the doors from an era when they may have been needed.      Funny that the art galleries are fine without the doors, but the wig shops and payday loan places have them. 

[arkitekte]

Agree about the roll up doors, which send the wrong message about an otherwise very safe street.    The businesses on the West side of 5th (Frothy, Pucketts, Blue Coast, the art galleries, etc) almost all lack the security doors.    These few on the East side of the street have retained the doors from an era when they may have been needed.      Funny that the art galleries are fine without the doors, but the wig shops and payday loan places have them. 

 

Someone might be short on cash after purchasing some art. 

[Bezoar]

A little bit on the Embry Carillion apts beside the baseball stadium:  http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2014/08/25/carillon-apartments-planned-near-sounds-ballpark/14569673/

 

Buying to be completed in a month, with construction starting soon thereafter (allegedly).   

[CenterHill]

A little bit on the Embry Carillion apts beside the baseball stadium:  http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2014/08/25/carillon-apartments-planned-near-sounds-ballpark/14569673/

 

Buying to be completed in a month, with construction starting soon thereafter (allegedly).   

 

I don't think we've seen an actual rendering from Embrey have we?   The Sounds' rendering of the stadium plan includes placeholders for Carillon, but I'm not sure those came from Embrey.    

[nashmoney]

Downtown Nashville condos find views don't come cheap

 

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2014/08/26/downtown-nashville-condos-find-views-come-cheap/14593715/

 

What we were discussing the other day.

 

This is what happens when you have dense urban environments.

Edited August 26, 2014 by nashmoney

[TheRaglander]

As I stare out the window down 1st Ave towards Rolling Hill I see the sign:  "Jim'N Nicks Bar-B-Q, Coming Soon" on the old Copper Kettle building.  

[nashmoney]

As I stare out the window down 1st Ave towards Rolling Hill I see the sign:  "Jim'N Nicks Bar-B-Q, Coming Soon" on the old Copper Kettle building.  

 

The company that owns or either franchises a lot of Jim N Nicks bought the building last month. One of my favorite barbq spots.

 

Good to have a location downtown

[TheRaglander]

Yes.  I know a lot of people prefer unique and high end options downtown... but as a worker downtown it is nice to have quick/cheaper choices within a quick distance of walking.  The Peabody Market is a great example.  Hell, I would give anything for a Taco Bell across the street.  They would make a fortune just from the people on my floor.

[bwithers1]

The company that owns or either franchises a lot of Jim N Nicks bought the building last month. One of my favorite barbq spots.

 

Good to have a location downtown

Agreed.  Jim N Nicks is pretty decent.  That spot seems to be taking a continuous downward trend, though.  First Sole Mio, which moved up the street on Third.  Then Copper Kettle, which seemed like it was never open.  And now Jim N Nicks.  That building has terrific views.  That building reminds me so much of the Eastland Cafe spot in at Eastland/Chapel in Eastwood/East Nashville. It seems that some kind of a more high-end bistro would give anything for that location and those views. But on the other hand, maybe we should be glad that an affordable restaurant is going in there to provide some options other than the high-end stuff up on Rutledge Hill.