Nashville Bits and Pieces

[dragonfly]

11 hours ago, smeagolsfree said:

I copied the old Emporis info, and it says 1970 as well.

See below

Edited August 15, 2023 by dragonfly

[dragonfly]

On 8/14/2023 at 3:17 PM, Luvemtall said:

No need to get so technically picky. Thanks Mark for the time and energy to come up with that list, much appreciated.

OK, really profuse apologies for getting technically picky, and being so presumptuous such as an out of towner, but I'm gonna do it -- as the National Life building was a major product of the thinking of '60's Nashville financial sector and it's worth prying into the architectural history and if it bores anyone then skip over this, please. I will explain subsequently, OK, I was there and my dad started at L&C in '55 right at the beginning of this modern high rise period in Nashville.

But first let me finish clearing up this mystery of conflicting decades with the final bullseye provided to me on Facebook at my request. Since I don't want to start a membership at any of the archive services, I encountered two enticing blurry thumbnails when searching 1969 and 1970 on the topic thanks to one of the services. I could make out maybe 10 words total on both of them. The first one in '69 from the Tennessean mentioned a strike by some of the tradesmen working on the National Life project. I could make out no more details so that would help explain the delay after the topping out in '68. The other hit from the paper was in Feb '70 when they had the dedication ceremony and I could make out no names, but I think it was to the company founders.

So I got the desired answer on FB with images, and according to the Tennessean image provided, the company started moving in on Dec 4, 1969 which supports it being complete in autumn '69 , just as I remember. Those internet sites are basing the 1970 completion on the dedication ceremony. Here is the link to the FB, be sure to expand and see the under construction pics: thread: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1031934030216274/posts/6500851109991178/?comment_id=6501252059951083&notif_id=1692132131036448&notif_t=group_comment

I'm going to finish what I have to say in another post, and may I add that my best friend from grades 7~9 and good friend over the decades, his father worked for National Life so our fathers worked for competing firms. It is really interesting what his father had to say about the L&C tower, which maybe had something to do with how things played out, including with American General taking over both companies.

 

Edited August 15, 2023 by dragonfly

[MLBrumby]

This discussion jogged my memory of a Youtube video posted on this forum years ago that was done by (apparently) teenagers in January of 1970. They were driving around the city and using a super 8 mm film camera to capture street scenes, one of which was of the kids frolicking around Capitol Hill with the recently finished Andrew Jackson building in the background and the National Life building (not yet moved into). Rubble from a recently demolished building was visible as the camera panned up the new skyscraper which had a few floors lit with others not yet wired. The video ended with a romp through the Christmas display at Green Hills shopping center. So that may answer some of these questions. It was definitely topped out in fall of 1969 when dragonfly started at Vandy. It was not moved into until 1970. 

[dragonfly]

 So that may answer some of these questions. It was definitely topped out in fall of 1969 when dragonfly started at Vandy. It was not moved into until 1970. 

 I don't know how else to say it. I provided a link to a FB thread where people readily provided the clarity needed. Maybe the link doesn't work. The building topped out in '68 and was moved into in 12/69.

Maybe instead of saying it here is evidence in pixels: 

 

Edited August 16, 2023 by dragonfly

[markhollin]

NashToday has created a a nice  City Guide to Nashville:

https://nashtoday.6amcity.com/city-guide?utm_term=nashtoday&utm_campaign=daily-newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=nashtoday&utm_content=nashtoday

[markhollin]

There were a handful of posts that veered off into politics that I have moved to the "2020 Politics" thread in the Coffeehouse.  

[KJHburg]

How Nashville stacks up with area dedicated to parking in its downtown vs other cities.

https://parkingreform.org/resources/parking-lot-map/   

[smeagolsfree]

Jason Wood is back at it with a new version of his 3D imaging of downtown.

https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/future-nashville-skyline-3d-rendering?utm_source=wkrn_app&utm_medium=social&utm_content=share-link

 

Hey Jason if you are reading, please post on the board!!!

 

GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[markhollin]

^ ^ ^ Here are some screen shots from that report:
 

[FluffyP13]

And yet that big parking lot on 1st/2nd persists 

[PostRural]

12 hours ago, smeagolsfree said:

Jason Wood is back at it with a new version of his 3D imaging of downtown.

https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/future-nashville-skyline-3d-rendering?utm_source=wkrn_app&utm_medium=social&utm_content=share-link

 

Hey Jason if you are reading, please post on the board!!!

 

GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Smeags! I will post some screen shots soon. The map looks similar to a year ago. Again, a big thanks to you (and other contributors) for putting the development map together, that made putting a 3D version together very easy. 

[PostRural]

[Baronakim]

3 hours ago, FluffyP13 said:

And yet that big parking lot on 1st/2nd persists 

Yep and it will until someone with deep pockets figures out how to rebuild that block in a manner restoring the basic styles and massing of the building that was destroyed by arson and yet make it work commecially.

 

Edited August 26, 2023 by Baronakim

[Luvemtall]

PostRural, thanks for your excellent work!! Really appreciate it and it really helps get a good prospective of how all the projects together will look. And let’s all remember that’s without the East Bank! Once we get a better idea what will happen over there , maybe you can update us with that included. 

[markhollin]

8 hours ago, PostRural said:

Thanks Smeags! I will post some screen shots soon. The map looks similar to a year ago. Again, a big thanks to you (and other contributors) for putting the development map together, that made putting a 3D version together very easy. 

Really appreciate your time, effort, and skill on these mass renders, Jason.  Keep 'em coming.  : )

[smeagolsfree]

Awesome Job! I would love to see the East Bank added to this at some point.

 

Thanks for your hard work.

[go_outside]

John Burns Research & Consulting tracks domestic migration data using postal address change forms. You can access their high-level findings for free here.

Per their latest report:

• Strong housing demand: Nashville, Charlotte, Houston, Fort Worth...
• Previously strong housing demand slightly weakening: Dallas, Tampa, Boise, Raleigh-Durham...
• Previously strong housing demand now barely positive: Austin, Phoenix...
• Previously strong housing demand now negative: Denver, Seattle...
• Negative housing demand still negative: Miami, Boston, Chicago, San Fransisco...

[MLBrumby]

From NBJ: https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2023/08/30/inventory-shrinks-office-markets-conversions.html

A number of U.S. office markets are seeing their inventory shrink in the wake of weaker demand for office space and a push to convert vacant office towers into new uses.

Only three markets — Nashville, Tennessee; south Florida; and Tampa, Florida — were not considered oversupplied by Savills' estimate. 

[markhollin]

To be placed in the highly speculative, crazy idea category:

A global developer has secured the exclusive rights to man-made, wave-generating surfing technology for nine markets in North America, including Nashville.

Those destinations would be anchored by 5.5-acre surfing lagoons within broader mixed-use developments expected to consist of hospitality, retail and residential components. Amenities could incorporate cafes, restaurants, beach clubs, fitness and well studios, and creative offices, among other neighborhood services.

Each spot requires about $50 million to $100 million in development capital, the company said, and it has already raised $12 million from high net-worth individuals, family offices, and private investment firms to aid in its North American rollout.

More at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2023/08/30/surf-park-surfing-development-aventuur-wavegarden.html

Here are renderings and photos from some of theeir other locations around the world:

[Luvemtall]

To keep it in the crazy idea realm, how bout they incorporate this surfing thing into the Storyville Gardens theme park!! 

[smeagolsfree]

This goes the category of Polarcoaster and the Parachute place that was supposed to go on the corner of Spring and Cowan and lest we not forget the crazy Blue Moon drive in theater or whatever it was called at Ellington and Spring.

[Argo]

Maybe, maybe not. Summit Hill and the fontannel redevelopment which was somewhat similar to this were scheduled to begin construction in 2020 but the plandemic happened and ended both.

[Argo]

Then again...

With the economy, interest rates, inflation, and the ouster of the dollar...

Naaaah. Ain't going to happen.

[chris holman]

From: Travel + Leisure Joseph Hotel 

 

Thank you, Travel + Leisure and Elizabeth Rhodes for so beautifully capturing the hidden stories, thoughtful touches, and Italian warmth of The Joseph – voted Nashville’s Best Hotel by Travel + Leisure readers for the second consecutive year.

 

Rhodes writes, “Inside its art-covered walls, sophisticated nods to Nashville’s musical legacy are found in floral rugs that harken back to the iconic Nudie Suits once worn by country’s greats; warm wood furnishings reminiscent of an acoustic guitar; and a striking tooled-leather check-in desk crafted by luxury bootmaker, Lucchese.”

 

Read the full review: https://www.travelandleisure.com/the-joseph-nashville-hotel-review-7567218

https://www.travelandleisure.com/the-joseph-nashville-hotel-review-7567218

[MLBrumby]

OK... I'm not firing on all brain "cylinders" as I try to remember... perhaps someone here can help me.

The Joseph (and chain?) was built by a Vandy alum (right?)

The Graduate chain was started by a Vandy alum (right?)

Were the Joseph and Graduate hotels built by the same firm?