Holston House Hotel, James Robertson Apts. Conversion. 190 rooms, $65 million

[Paramount747]

I was at a gathering last night and a person their knew the details of the sale. It will be a hotel. Premier will operate the lot, and possibly have to open the wall behind the Masons Lodge for a loading dock egress out to Broadway for the hotel.

 

The only way to access the Renaissance Hotel loading dock is through this small parking lot between the JAS Robertson Apts. and the Barber Shop Quartet Headquarters.

 

This will be an upscale hotel brand and construction will start in May after the residents move out prior to the April 1st deadline. They will most likely have a tower crane on place to access the roof and the higher floors. The building is 12 stories and 129 feet. This is possibly another development by Post Development which did the Bennie Dillion rehabilitation.

 

 

Discuss.

 

[titanhog]

Will they add any floors...or is it just a remodel?

[UTgrad09]

Very interesting. I look forward to all the details coming out.

 

Seems like the hotel market is getting a bit crowded, especially in the 'boutique' realm.

 

It seems like parking would be an issue there, unless this will be incorporated into the convention center development (and their 2,500 spaces). That seems like it would make the most sense. That way you could turn the current parking lot into a nice little courtyard.

[MidTenn1]

Glad to see this building will be saved. I remember when the Sam Davis Hotel (removed for widening of Commerce Street) and the Genesco Bldg (removed to make a parking lot) were lining 7th Avenue in that area making a 'canyon' of brown brick mid-rise buildings.

 

[Paramount747]

William is on this story.

[markhollin]

It's been over a year since it was sold and various ideas were postulated by the new owners about conversion to either a luxury hotel or high-end apartments.  Has anyone heard anything?  Here's the article from 13 months ago:

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2015/01/30/james-robertson-apartments-sold/22612609/

Drove by other other day and snapped a pic of the handsome structure.  Sure hope good things are brewing....

 

[Paramount747]

No news or activity in this place since residents move out last April. Going on a year and nothing. Any news on this?

[bhibbs]

funny you guys brought this up....
http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2016/03/01/historic-james-robertson-apartments-building-sold-182-million-nashville/81164958/

 

[MLBrumby]

Just posted same to the CBD thread.  New owners, HRI are known for adaptive reuse.  The price is steep, but close to the price for the FBC site where the Embassy Suites will be built.  I do think the price paid here is indicative of their intent to save the building and renovate. 

[MLBrumby]

Boutique hotel... $65 million renovation. Rooftop bar and pool and 190 rooms. This thing should look spectacular when it's done. 

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2016/03/01/historic-james-robertson-apartments-building-sold-182-million-nashville/81164958/

[Paramount747]

This is great news!!!!!

[titanhog]

What do you guys envision they'll do to the exterior?  Major or minor changes?

[markhollin]

12 hours ago, titanhog said:

What do you guys envision they'll do to the exterior?  Major or minor changes?

I would hope that there would be very little change to the exterior...it is classic as is.  Perhaps some nice lighting accents around the first few floors and upper crest to bring out it's features at night.  There's a part of me that might even like old red neon type signage at the top branding whatever the new name is as an homage to the old days. 

[Vrtigo]

The best change to the exterior we could possibly hope for is to fill in all the empty lots and detritus around it with similar development. Until then, that entire area will feel quite underwhelming... :crosses fingers:

[MLBrumby]

Just speculating, but much of that $65M will be going to upgrading the mechanical equipment, such as elevators, plumbing, electrical, etc., then the bathrooms, and of course, those rooftop amenities.  Doubt much will be spent on changing the exterior. 

[titanhog]

Do they at least power wash the bricks and front facade on a structure like this?  Just seems a little dingy.  I remember when they did the power washing on the Frist Arts Center after they closed the post office...and it suddenly made the building look like it was just constructed...which was beautiful.

[volsfanwill]

dingy = character

[titanhog]

7 minutes ago, volsfanwill said:

dingy = character

I actually bet the true character of the building will shine through even more with a simple cleaning.  Gotta believe it will be gorgeous.

[volsfanwill]

i agree, and the uneven grey paint on the front has got to go

[Paramount747]

The larger issue in this redevelopment is this. The parking lot on the south side of the building is the only way to the back dock of the Renaissance. It will be interesting to see if the Renaissance will have to negotiate with the Masons Lodge to open their back wall and allow entrance to the Renaissance dock via their parking lot fronting Broadway.

[markhollin]

According to Nashville Post, activity spotted at James Robertson Building.

"The Post saw workers coming and going earlier today at the James Robertson Apartments building within downtown’s central business district. Real estate development company HRI Properties recently bought the building (pictured) for $18.2 million and plans to convert it to a boutique hotel."

[smeagolsfree]

I wonder who saw them......

[UTgrad09]

3 hours ago, smeagolsfree said:

I wonder who saw them......

Probably some creep that stalks construction workers.

[titanhog]

2 hours ago, UTgrad09 said:

Probably some creep that stalks construction workers.

Are you saying Smeagols catcalls the construction workers? 

[Guest]

The larger issue in this redevelopment is this. The parking lot on the south side of the building is the only way to the back dock of the Renaissance. It will be interesting to see if the Renaissance will have to negotiate with the Masons Lodge to open their back wall and allow entrance to the Renaissance dock via their parking lot fronting Broadway.

The Renaissance has a permanent access easement over that parking lot. Unless they agree to release the easement and re-record the plat then that parking lot isn't going anywhere.

Besides, do you really want their back of house entry off Broadway rather then 7th?