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

[bhibbs]

1 minute ago, titanhog said:

Haha.  Some of us are on different schedules than others.  Haven't had a drop of alcohol since my college days, btw. 

damnit, I didn't even mean to quote you....now I look like an idiot

[titanhog]

Just now, bhibbs said:

damnit, I didn't even mean to quote you....now I look like an idiot

[12Mouth]

8 hours ago, Nashville Cliff said:

Here's the link to their Campus Planning and Construction office: http://www.cpc.vanderbilt.edu/

 

The one to really pay attention to is FutureVU - https://www.vanderbilt.edu/futurevu/  Vanderbilt is undergoing a massive land use planning initiative - think campus greenways, much less surface parking, urban graduate/professional housing village, etc. This is all coming straight from Eric Kopstain's office and will have a major impact on Vanderbilt and Midtown in the coming years.

Edited September 25, 2017 by 12Mouth

[AUNash]

I didn't know anything about FutureVU. Looks like the plan will be released later this year?

Here's something I like from the FutureVU page:

"FutureVU calls for the prioritization of the campus core for pedestrian circulation and open space. While vehicular access for service, emergency and accessibility reasons must be maintained, a core goal is to minimize the impact upon pedestrian circulation and campus aesthetics as viewed from around the campus edges. One such area of focus is the 21st Avenue edge, which will be undergoing a number of enhancements in the coming months.

"Parking has a strong presence along the most public edges of campus, especially along 21st Avenue. The 21st Avenue edge provides a unique opportunity to increase visual porosity into the core of campus. By creating clear views of the campus from the street, important physical connections to Peabody and the proposed Graduate Village will be more apparent. In order to accomplish this, the existing surface parking will be removed; emergency, service and drop off access will be maintained as a limited use path; and a new shared-use path for bikes and pedestrians will be situated in the new open space for enhanced connectivity.

"These enhancements will be developed as part of current building efforts along the 21st Avenue edge. An expansion at the Nursing School and expansion at the Divinity School are underway, with further enhancements on the 21st edge to follow."

[AUNash]

I also like this nugget from their page on the West End side of campus:

"The proposed site for the next residential colleges is on West End Avenue between 23rd and 25th avenues, where the Carmichael Towers and the Tarpley Building currently stand."

[Neigeville2]

^this really makes me unhappy.  Those are fine examples of Eisenhower era architecture, old enough to be out of style but not yet old enough to be perceived as historic.  They're going to be trashed for another pseudo-Oxbridge knockoff.

[memphian]

I would think those dorms don't live up to the expectations of today's Vanderbilt students. If they were on MTSU's campus they could probably get another 10-15 years out of them but even that may be pushing it.

are they modern at all inside? 

[MLBrumby]

I lived in Tower 1, in a suite during the '90-'91 academic year. It was a dump then, and it has not been updated much since then. I used to hear stories that they were intended to be temporary, but you know how legends are born.  Maybe 50 years is temporary in the academic world. 

[markhollin]

Absolutely sweeeeet!  From today's Nashville Post:

Vanderbilt University officials are strategizing for what could be a major reinvention of key property fronting West End Avenue, highlighted by a possible stately academic tower (20 stories) that would rank among the campus’ tallest structures if standing today.

Though the long-term plans are far from finalized, VU continues to note that the four residential buildings comprising Carmichael Towers are likely to be replaced. Opened in the mid-1960s, each of the modernist brick high-rises stands 14 floors and about 150 feet. 

An image that Vanderbilt is now circulating to the university community shows the four Carmichael Towers buildings facing West End replaced by various six-story buildings and a tower — seemingly rising upwards of 20 floors and 200 feet. According to the image, the buildings would allow for vehicular access to the campus via 24th Avenue (as is currently the case) and with a tunnel-esque design element. (Click on the above rendering to see an image.)

The slender high-rise seen on the VU website (pictured) seemingly could serve as a smaller version of the grand Cathedral of Learning, a 535-foot-tall limestone building located on the University of Pittsburgh campus and opened in 1926. Designed in the late gothic revival style with various art deco flourishes, that handsome structure ranks as the Western Hemisphere’s tallest academic building.

Princine Lewis, a VU spokeswoman, said that Vanderbilt officials are stressing the plan to replace Carmichael Towers is very fluid.

“These are preliminary designs that are continuing to evolve,” Lewis said.

If the four residential buildings eventually are demolished, the effort to raze them and remove the rubble would rank among the more noteworthy of its type in Nashville history. VU has not announced when the towers might be razed or if any demo would be done in one full effort, one building at a time or two buildings at a time.

If the neo-traditional tower for which Vanderbilt has created an image does, in fact, materialize and is included among the replacement buildings, it would rival in height and detail the university’s iconic Kirkland Hall. That brick and stone structure rises just off West End Avenue between 21st and Louise Avenues on the northern fringe of the campus and is considered by many a landmark of sorts.

Any residential buildings to replace Carmichael Towers would sit a half-block west of E. Bronson Ingram College, an under-construction residential building — also to display various neo-traditional design elements — slated to open in 2018 (read more here).

That project is the latest in what is dubbed FutureVU, a comprehensive multi-phased plan to transform the northern segment of the campus from 21st Avenue on the east to 25th on the west. The three-building Kissam College Hall was the first element of the process. The university is calling the general area the “West End Neighborhood” (read more hereand here) in part, because it fronts West End Avenue.

In addition to E. Bronson Ingram College, Vanderbilt is focused on its Greek Row area, which is slated to be updated to offer a more park-like feel. The design process is fully underway.

“The plans for the West End Neighborhood, and the entire FutureVU process, reflect Vanderbilt’s commitment to use the physical campus to reflect our academic mission and our values of equity, inclusion, friendship and community,” VU Chancellor Nick Zeppos told news.vanderbilt.edu. “The feedback from students, faculty, staff, alumni and others throughout the planning was critical to inform the creation of spaces that are truly welcoming and inspire growth and learning.”

The buildings to replace Carmichael Towers, if they materialize, would be integrated into the Greek Row segment of the campus. The sorority and fraternity buildings variously address Kensington and Vanderbilt places and 24th Avenue.

Relatedly, the university is eyeing for Greek Row a multipurpose space that could be used by Multicultural Leadership Council groups and other student organizations.

It is unclear how many structures located within Greek Row will eventually be demolished and replaced with new buildings and/or green space.

http://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/article/20977946/vanderbilt-ponders-options-to-replace-west-end-towers
 

[CenterHill]

I lived in Carmichael Towers for 2 years in '82 and '83.     It's funny, but compared to the other non-freshman dorms on VU's campus in that era, the Towers were considered "upscale".     That was because they were suites with small kitchens, air conditioning and en suite baths.      But the fact is campus housing is designed very differently these days and the Towers no longer function the way VU needs them to.     So, their days are numbered. 

I love that rendering and the proposed 20-story tower.     Instant landmark.   

[memphian]

Awesome! 

[ariesjow]

That looks fantastic! It would be a welcomed addition to West End Avenue.

 

Edited October 4, 2017 by ariesjow

[BnaBreaker]

I know im in the minority here, but i actually like the Carmichael Towers, due mostly to the fact that they add at least the illusion of urbanism to a stretch of West End Ave that desperately needs it.  That being said though, if that magnificent tower is what would be replacing them, then I gleefully await their destruction! That thing is STUNNING!! 

[nashvylle]

Can we put this beautiful tower in front of the Symphony Hall?

[markhollin]

1710 Belcourt Place (4 stories, 76 units) update.  Up to 3rd floor now.

Looking SE from corner of Wedgewood Ave. and 18th Ave. South:
 

 

Looking south from Wedgewood Ave at intersection with alley between 17th and 18th Ave. South:

[markhollin]

The Tennessean's coverage of the new 20 story Vanderbilt tower proposal:

On Oct. 19, the university will go before the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals seeking a special exception from height requirements related to building Residential College A. That's needed because a portion of the proposed tower encroaches into the skyplane.

"It doesn't comply with the height requirements in the zoning code, so therefore it needs to go to the Board of Zoning Appeals...," Metro's Zoning Administrator Bill Herbert said.

The footprint for Residential College A includes the 2417 West End Ave. site of the Tarpley Building, which houses university maintenance functions, and a parking lot. That site is across West End Avenue from a Rite Aid drug store and two flower shops and across 25th Avenue from the 2525 West End mixed-use tower where Vanderbilt is a tenant.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2017/10/06/vanderbilt-plans-new-20-story-340-room-dorm-25th-and-west-end/739932001/

[Nathan_in_DC]

If the zoning board turns this down, then it's proof positive that they are suffering from massive brain trauma.

1 hour ago, markhollin said:

The Tennessean's coverage of the new 20 story Vanderbilt tower proposal:

On Oct. 19, the university will go before the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals seeking a special exception from height requirements related to building Residential College A. That's needed because a portion of the proposed tower encroaches into the skyplane.

"It doesn't comply with the height requirements in the zoning code, so therefore it needs to go to the Board of Zoning Appeals...," Metro's Zoning Administrator Bill Herbert said.

The footprint for Residential College A includes the 2417 West End Ave. site of the Tarpley Building, which houses university maintenance functions, and a parking lot. That site is across West End Avenue from a Rite Aid drug store and two flower shops and across 25th Avenue from the 2525 West End mixed-use tower where Vanderbilt is a tenant.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2017/10/06/vanderbilt-plans-new-20-story-340-room-dorm-25th-and-west-end/739932001/

 

[BnaBreaker]

Gahhhhhhhh to hell with the height requirements ready!  Im sure this will easily skate past the board, but I am so sick of the ridiculous arbitrary height requirements in this city.  

[Pdt2f]

25 minutes ago, BnaBreaker said:

Gahhhhhhhh to hell with the height requirements ready!  Im sure this will easily skate past the board, but I am so sick of the ridiculous arbitrary height requirements in this city.  

They need to just draw a line - maybe like Briley/Thompson Lane/Woodmont/White Bridge around the city - and just eliminate the height requirements (except obviously around the airport). Or at least set a more reasonable cap, maybe like 1,200 feet or something. 

[BnaBreaker]

18 hours ago, Pdt2f said:

They need to just draw a line - maybe like Briley/Thompson Lane/Woodmont/White Bridge around the city - and just eliminate the height requirements (except obviously around the airport). Or at least set a more reasonable cap, maybe like 1,200 feet or something. 

I totally agree... and ya know, I'm not saying that height restrictions never have a place.  A thirty story highrise would be very out of place in Five Points East Nashville, for example, or any other of Nashville's primarily residential neighborhoods (Germantown, The Nations etc.)   But what is the point of having height restrictions on a major commercial thoroughfare two miles from the center of downtown that's already lined with midrises and highrises??  It just doesn't make sense.  I'm sure whatever board decided upon those thought they were really doing something proactive and forward thinking when they dreamed those up, but really all they've done is hold the city back.  

Edited October 7, 2017 by BnaBreaker

[markhollin]

Vanderbilt Children's Hospital addition (supposedly 4 stories, but looks more like 5) update.

Looking west from intersection of 21st Ave. South and Capers Ave:

[markhollin]

Moxy Hotel Hillsboro Village (6 stories, 130 rooms, 47 residential units, retail) update.

Looking east from intersection of Belcourt Ave. and 20th Ave. South:
 

 

Looking south from intersection of Belcourt Ave. and 20th Ave. South:

[markhollin]

1 Music Circle South (Panattoni, 5 stories, 125,000 Sq. Ft. office space) update. Foundation digging continues.

Looking south bend in Music Circle South:
 

Looking SE from Music Circle South:

[Hey_Hey]

He crane for The 18th & Chet/Emery office building is being installed currently.

[nashvylle]

Sidenote: Skyhouse is so prominent from so many areas in town.