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

[Griz83]

 

Could be   ...   a part of the Miller Distr building that you can't see well from 11th is down and they were on site this morning with the heavy equipment..   Nashville Glass building is still standing but I'm guessing it's just a matter of time..

 

There were also 2-3 big dump trucks and another big shovel at the site where the Korean market was..  it looked this morning like they were basically cleaning up the pile of concrete.. 

 

Maybe you could put up a web cam!

 

No webcam...but here's a quick snapshot out the window:

It looks like one building is indeed down near Nashville Glass.  Is that the Miller dist. you were talking about?

 

[jdavidf]

No webcam...but here's a quick snapshot out the window:

It looks like one building is indeed down near Nashville Glass.  Is that the Miller dist. you were talking about?

 

 

That's it alright..  I only knew that was that name of it because of a small sign on the now-gone building..   in fact, Miller Dist building was still standing when I drove by this morning at about 7:30, so they made pretty short work of it..

 

You can see the big red dump trucks on the site of the Korean market..   also, I had noticed the other day at the corner of Charlotte and the interstate there was digging going on..  

[bwithers1]

On a totally different topic (the new Central Police Precinct building), I was at the neighborhood watch meeting for the East Police Precinct yesterday and I was asking about how the Central Precinct would fit in their new home in that tiny sliver next to the power station south of the convention center.  One of the officers is currently in the Central Precinct but transferring to East.  He said that the Central Precinct space inside the Bridgestone is so small that detectives do not have rooms to interview witnesses/suspects and that there are no restrooms.  So the officers actually have to use their key cards, exit the Central Precinct portion and go into the Arena portion of the building to use the restroom.  So he said that even as small as that lot is at KVB and Sixth, that it will actually give them much more room than they currently have.  He did confirm that some police parking will be inside the MCC, but that a lot of the officers will still have to park on the streets in Sobro similar to what they do now on the street between the Bridgestone and and First Baptist.

[volsfanwill]

My senior prom was in the Crowne Plaza in 2000, now the Sheraton. I had the pleasure of staying at the Sheraton for a wedding 2 years ago while a prom was going on there, it was kinda weird.  Brought back a lot of memories. 

 

As for the idea of room rates dropping, they have to. there is a lack of supply for a city this size especially with this big of a tourist industry.  teh numbers are skewed by opryland but I mean convenient hotels.I currently live in west TN while looking for a new job in Nashville, and had planned on getting a hotel  downtown for my birthday a few weeks ago and getting a few friends to pitch in and hit the bars, The room rates were crazy, everything downtown and west end was $200 plus with most over $280.  my hotels of choice are usually the sheraton, the holiday inn downtown or the hotel indigo (now aloft) on west end.  they were all nearly $300 for a saturday night with nothing I could find going on that would raise the prices that much.  I had already avoided the actual week of my birthday because that was the SEC basketball tournament and most hotels were completely sold out.  

so, basically what I am saying is Nashville can support and needs several more downtown hotels and I only see it as a positive in bringing rates down, which in turn will bring more people in.  

[East Side Urbanite]

On a totally different topic (the new Central Police Precinct building), I was at the neighborhood watch meeting for the East Police Precinct yesterday and I was asking about how the Central Precinct would fit in their new home in that tiny sliver next to the power station south of the convention center.  One of the officers is currently in the Central Precinct but transferring to East.  He said that the Central Precinct space inside the Bridgestone is so small that detectives do not have rooms to interview witnesses/suspects and that there are no restrooms.  So the officers actually have to use their key cards, exit the Central Precinct portion and go into the Arena portion of the building to use the restroom.  So he said that even as small as that lot is at KVB and Sixth, that it will actually give them much more room than they currently have.  He did confirm that some police parking will be inside the MCC, but that a lot of the officers will still have to park on the streets in Sobro similar to what they do now on the street between the Bridgestone and and First Baptist.

Interesting news, BW1.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

WW

[Guest 5th & Main Urbanite]

Is anyone else wondering when the Hilton Garden Inn will get started on 3rd and Almond? They completed demolition a month ago! Anyone else impatient like me?

 

Secondly,has anyone heard who received the TIF money Curt indicated would be awarded this week? Tony? Swerdling? 

Edited April 15, 2013 by 5th & Main Urbanite

[barakat]

Gulch Crossing to begin construction this year:  http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2013/04/marketstreet-to-kickoff-new-earl.html

[UTgrad09]

Gulch Crossing to begin construction this year:  http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2013/04/marketstreet-to-kickoff-new-earl.html

 

Whoa, that's awesome. I do wonder if this will affect Eakin's plans...but personally I think that the Collier's report from earlier stating that more places were looking downtown means the chances of both happening relatively soon aren't all that slim.

 

Gulch Crossing is one of my favorite designs.

[UTgrad09]

Sidenote: I do hope there is retail on the bottom level (11th), as well as a public way to access it via Demonbreun (outside entrance stairs + elevator).

[dmillsphoto]

Sidenote: I do hope there is retail on the bottom level (11th), as well as a public way to access it via Demonbreun (outside entrance stairs + elevator).

 

Wouldn't that possibly negate the need for a pedestrian bridge coming off Pine?

[timmay143]

ulch Crossing is one of my favorite designs.

Me too!

[UTgrad09]

Wouldn't that possibly negate the need for a pedestrian bridge coming off Pine?

 

It would make it better, for sure. I think the pedestrian bridge would be more for the time when the area of SoBro around Cummins Station down to Cannery Row builds up. I don't think it negates it. It just means it wouldn't be pressing. To me, the pedestrian bridge is more about providing a dedicated pedestrian/bike corridor between the hot spots in SoBro and the Gulch. We don't "need" an interstate cap, either, but it would be a big positive for that area...

[smeagolsfree]

I hate to burst everyone's bubble but the design will not be the same as ESa is going to design the building. It should be about the same size but even that is not a sure ting yet.

 

"Earl Swensson also is now designing the project."

 

"The size of Gulch Crossing hasn't been finalized. Sources with knowledge of the project expect it to be 170,000 to 200,000 square feet."

 

Also interesting how Spectrum was slammed a little here too.

 

"a partnership between MarketStreet and Spectrum Properties/ Emery.

That partnership dissolved late last year, when Spectrum's Pat Emery said it would be at least three years before construction starts on a new Gulch office development."

 

 Emory was not even trying to market the properties at all and continued to push all of the Cool Springs projects. There was never any mention of the Gulch properties on any of his websites.

[UTgrad09]

I hate to burst everyone's bubble but the design will not be the same as ESa is going to design the building. It should be about the same size but even that is not a sure ting yet.

 

"Earl Swensson also is now designing the project."

 

"The size of Gulch Crossing hasn't been finalized. Sources with knowledge of the project expect it to be 170,000 to 200,000 square feet."

Well, I just hope they keep with the spirit of that building...connecting Demonbreun and 11th.

 

Also interesting how Spectrum was slammed a little here too.

 

"a partnership between MarketStreet and Spectrum Properties/ Emery.

That partnership dissolved late last year, when Spectrum's Pat Emery said it would be at least three years before construction starts on a new Gulch office development."

 

 Emory was not even trying to market the properties at all and continued to push all of the Cool Springs projects. There was never any mention of the Gulch properties on any of his websites.

I noticed that, too. 3 years? Are you even trying?

[Griz83]

Interesting turn of events in the Ben West Library saga.  Apparently some are realizing that we need to hang on to valuable property downtown.  Hopefully the land swap will fall through:

 

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130417/NEWS0202/304170115/Land-swap-involving-old-Ben-West-Library-faces-questions

[MLBrumby]

Earl Swensson Associates (ESa) has designed pretty much all of the ugliest buildings of 10-stories or more in Nashville.  I think the Loew's Hotel is an obnoxious pre-cast eyesore that appears to have been built on the cheap.  Their hallmark is the rather hideous glass atrium (sometimes curve a'la Centennial Medical) or flat (a'la AT&T).  No coincidence that their work looks like hospitals... as they are beholden to HCA for their survival. 

 

 

Personally, I don't expect anything nearly as creative/original/stunning as the Gulch Crossing renderings we've seen. And given the conservative view of Nashville's home-grown developers, don't expect it to be very large either.

Edited April 17, 2013 by MLBrumby

[NashRugger]

I hate to burst everyone's bubble but the design will not be the same as ESa is going to design the building. It should be about the same size but even that is not a sure ting yet.

 

"Earl Swensson also is now designing the project."

 

"The size of Gulch Crossing hasn't been finalized. Sources with knowledge of the project expect it to be 170,000 to 200,000 square feet."

 

Also interesting how Spectrum was slammed a little here too.

 

"a partnership between MarketStreet and Spectrum Properties/ Emery.

That partnership dissolved late last year, when Spectrum's Pat Emery said it would be at least three years before construction starts on a new Gulch office development."

 

 Emory was not even trying to market the properties at all and continued to push all of the Cool Springs projects. There was never any mention of the Gulch properties on any of his websites.

Oh that slamming against Spectrum was something us young folks call "All T, no shade" because it's plain truth. Emery now looks like a real idiot, going politely here, for saying such a statement. It's obvious he was either never fully on board to develop said projects or he's just that stupid about the office market pinch in Class A. I hope he's kicking himself now.

[TheRaglander]

I attended the little "street fair" on KVB. And, as we speak, KVB is open for business! Finally. Something is actually FINISHED.

[Guest 5th & Main Urbanite]

Oh that slamming against Spectrum was something us young folks call "All T, no shade" because it's plain truth. Emery now looks like a real idiot, going politely here, for saying such a statement. It's obvious he was either never fully on board to develop said projects or he's just that stupid about the office market pinch in Class A. I hope he's kicking himself now.

Never trust a man with a porn star mustache like Emery!!! J/K! Suburban developers have no interest in the city at all. It's a lot easier to carve up more precious land in the suburbs than it is to retro fit, or create new and exciting spaces in the city, so I am not surprised the relationship with Market Street is over.

Earl Swensson Associates (ESa) has designed pretty much all of the ugliest buildings of 10-stories or more in Nashville.  I think the Loew's Hotel is an obnoxious pre-cast eyesore that appears to have been built on the cheap.  Their hallmark is the rather hideous glass atrium (sometimes curve a'la Centennial Medical) or flat (a'la AT&T).  No coincidence that their work looks like hospitals... as they are beholden to HCA for their survival. 

 

 

Personally, I don't expect anything nearly as creative/original/stunning as the Gulch Crossing renderings we've seen. And given the conservative view of Nashville's home-grown developers, don't expect it to be very large either.

 

 

Agreed ML.

Edited April 17, 2013 by 5th & Main Urbanite

[dmillsphoto]

Bring the onslaught, but I wouldn't mind a little design and influence from their 1515 Demonbreun design for the former Lionstone project... that big almost-plate-glass look...

[BnaBreaker]

Extremely disappointed that the original design will not be used.  In my opinion, it was absolutely perfect for the space from a functionality standpoint, but it was also an extremely sharp, unique design as well.  Hopefully since this will be Esa's headquarters they will be a little more daring in their design than their usual bland, unimaginative office building designs, but I'm not holding my breath.  Get ready for another boring box covered in blue glass!  If we're lucky we may even get some brown concrete made to look like brick!  I'm sure it won't be ugly, but it won't be memorable either.  I'll be stunned if it addresses Demonbreun in any fashion. 

Edited April 17, 2013 by BnaBreaker

[UTgrad09]

Funny how quickly this turned into a pity party. Reputation or not, let's at least hold back a smidge of judgment until we actually see a rendering.

[BnaBreaker]

Funny how quickly this turned into a pity party. Reputation or not, let's at least hold back a smidge of judgment until we actually see a rendering.

 

You're right that we should wait until we see an actual rendering, but it's not like Esa's reputation for 'safe' design is unfounded.  I mean, they have their full portfolio up online for all to see.  Let's just say that if they did come up with a design that was equally as exciting and unconventional as the previous one, it would be a very out of the ordinary for them.

[bigeasy]

Their hallmark is the rather hideous glass atrium (sometimes curve a'la Centennial Medical) or flat (a'la AT&T).  

 

Wait, are you actually saying you dislike the Batman Building? or just the atrium?

[dmillsphoto]

Photos from today courtesy of a Redditor.

 

http://imgur.com/a/YKAFJ