222 2nd Ave. South, 25 Stories|305 Feet, 391,000 sq. ft., $100 million

[Paramount747]

It all comes down to the fact that Arkitekte is right.  I know he hates me with a passion because I used to be real critical of these types of projects!  In the end it's all about money. Gone are the days when architecture was part of the American Culture. Gone are the days when grand buildings were constructed for art and sculpture as well as form and function. My great grandfather worked on the Empire State Bulding. My uncle worked on the World Trade Center Towers. The New York of the 1920's-1940's is gone forever. Great trio Jazz is gone forever as is real rock and roll, Johnny Cash, and muscle cars. The days of the great American architects is also now dead. Very rarely is a piece of art constructed anymore. Now cities are all starting to look the same to the point where no-one even notices anymore. Only people like us notice, and we cannot admit the last great piece of architecture in Nashville was the L&C Tower in 1957 or possibly the Post Modern Snodgrass Tower in 1970. It's all gone downhill from there.

So if we are building glass boxes, that is what money can afford. It's no wonder why I would rather live in Europe where real architecture is still cherished.

Edited September 18, 2015 by Paramount747

[MLBrumby]

 It's going to be one of those days.

[Paramount747]

ML, just stating the facts. Architecture is dead my friend!

[NashRugger]

The last "great" pieces of architecture in Nashville, per yourself, were also boxes, just with A LOT more concrete on them. Gotcha. 

[bigeasy]

I will probably get banned for saying this........

 

 

But I think the L&C Tower is ugly. 

[TNinVB]

^^^^ I'm with you on this. I honestly don't see the hype of the L&C tower. It looks dirty and like something out the Soviet Union.  Also the Snodgrass Tower looks like a concrete box with windows. To each his own I guess. 

Edited September 18, 2015 by TNinVB

[rookzie]

^^^^ I'm with you on this. I honestly don't see the hype of the L&C tower. It looks dirty and like something out the Soviet Union.  Also the Snodgrass Tower looks like a concrete box with windows. To each his own I guess. 

 

Think about it.  That was the "bomb" in styling back then.  But, Limestone cladding, being as porous as it is, will grime up in appearance more than polished or darker-colored natural material.  Also the grade of limestone used can deteriorate with precipitation erosion.  IMHO the L&C is not beautiful per se, but then neither is a baboon or an orang-utan, bearing a face which perhaps only its mother could love (if even that).

Except for spandrels and mullions, the extensive use of natural-materials for cladding throughout ─ limestone panels and thick, contrasting, dimensional granite along the lower fascades spanning Church and 4th. give that structure a classy, rich and non-cheap appearance, compared to many (if not most) other local structures of contemporary construction, even if the L&C is short and fat by today's comparison.  The detail of finished contoured granite lining the 4th-Ave service entrance is simply splendid in its own right, IMO.  At least it doesn't have that sham, tacky look of synthetic materials (or exposed concrete) found on so many others today (and erstwhile).  One just will not see that much of this type of exterior grandeur in material utilization in Nashville, as one would see in larger older cities, even still undertaking such choices of materials to this day, since the market of costs allows for that in those towns.

Granted, the building style does appear quite dated with the canopies and soffits at bottom and at the top, but even those could "redefined", and the structure at large could stand a exterior cleaning, if the owner(s) ever chose to do so.  But with a high-tenancy rate, there is not yet any compelling reason for them to do so.

-==-

Edited September 19, 2015 by rookzie

[Lexy]

I'm not a fan of the L&C nor am I a fan of "protecting its sight lines" like everyone else over 60 years old in this town.

[Paramount747]

The last "great" pieces of architecture in Nashville, per yourself, were also boxes, just with A LOT more concrete on them. Gotcha. 

Nash, you have a point, but The Snodgrass Tower has many subtle lines that differentiate it from other "boxes." Post Modernism was about lines and directional planes. The changes were subtle at the same time they were bold and monolithic . Next time you are in town, walk up to the northeast corner and look up at the tower and its  juxtoposition to the horizon. It's just beautiful. The L&C Tower does need a sandblast and washing as it were, but again we have the Mid-Century Modernism with Greco-Roman and Art Deco elements. Again, we have clean lines and powerful fins that bring the naked eye to the top of the tower in a clean and jettisoned feel.

The L&C to me is still the most significant structure in downtown. Not because of its age or history, but because of its presence and relationship to the street and the pedestrian walkways.

My point about architectural significance is one of deep spiritual meaning. When I look at a piece of architecture, I want to experience God. I want to experience the universe. I want the visceral experience of humanity and the promise and inspiration to create something great. I just don't get that with much architecture after 1970. I think we lose something as a culture when we sacrifice architectural elements to save money on the bottom line.

[arkitekte]

It all comes down to the fact that Arkitekte is right.  I know he hates me with a passion because I used to be real critical of these types of projects!  In the end it's all about money. Gone are the days when architecture was part of the American Culture. Gone are the days when grand buildings were constructed for art and sculpture as well as form and function. My great grandfather worked on the Empire State Bulding. My uncle worked on the World Trade Center Towers. The New York of the 1920's-1940's is gone forever. Great trio Jazz is gone forever as is real rock and roll, Johnny Cash, and muscle cars. The days of the great American architects is also now dead. Very rarely is a piece of art constructed anymore. Now cities are all starting to look the same to the point where no-one even notices anymore. Only people like us notice, and we cannot admit the last great piece of architecture in Nashville was the L&C Tower in 1957 or possibly the Post Modern Snodgrass Tower in 1970. It's all gone downhill from there.

So if we are building glass boxes, that is what money can afford. It's no wonder why I would rather live in Europe where real architecture is still cherished.

I can't hate you because you gave me a complement. 

[Nathan_in_DC]

It all comes down to the fact that Arkitekte is right.  I know he hates me with a passion because I used to be real critical of these types of projects!  In the end it's all about money. Gone are the days when architecture was part of the American Culture. Gone are the days when grand buildings were constructed for art and sculpture as well as form and function. My great grandfather worked on the Empire State Bulding. My uncle worked on the World Trade Center Towers. The New York of the 1920's-1940's is gone forever. Great trio Jazz is gone forever as is real rock and roll, Johnny Cash, and muscle cars. The days of the great American architects is also now dead. Very rarely is a piece of art constructed anymore. Now cities are all starting to look the same to the point where no-one even notices anymore. Only people like us notice, and we cannot admit the last great piece of architecture in Nashville was the L&C Tower in 1957 or possibly the Post Modern Snodgrass Tower in 1970. It's all gone downhill from there.

So if we are building glass boxes, that is what money can afford. It's no wonder why I would rather live in Europe where real architecture is still cherished.

What about the Schermerhorn? The new amphitheater? The Bridgestone Arena? I think all of those are pretty cool architecturally...and would be considered "real" architecture.

Don't forget, some of the silliest, most 'modern' of architecture comes out of London and Berlin.

[titanhog]

 

What about the Schermerhorn? The new amphitheater? The Bridgestone Arena? I think all of those are pretty cool architecturally...and would be considered "real" architecture.

Don't forget, some of the silliest, most 'modern' of architecture comes out of London and Berlin.

I really like the CMHoF, as well.

[markhollin]

I happen to think the At&T building looks great and is pretty distinctive.

[titanhog]

I think the MCC is really nice...for a convention center.

[mirydi]

I've come out of retirement just to say the L&C tower is just about the ugliest building in Nashville. I can only hope that sometime in the future something is built that will completely block it out. It's ugly as sin just like the Keeble building was and that's why nobody other then a select few here on this forum cares that it's being put out of its misery. There are countless of beautiful buildings built around the country in its time, the L&C is not one of them. NOTHING about that tower says.....wow, now thats great architecture right there. Lol!  If this building was in NYC it would have been demolished a long time ago. 

End rant....bottoms up guys....see ya!

[BnaBreaker]

I love the L&C.  Not a building like it on earth that I've seen. 

[mirydi]

I love the L&C.  Not a building like it on earth that I've seen. 

There's a logical reason behind that. 

[BnaBreaker]

There's no "logic" that plays into this my good man.  You're generally not a fan of old buildings.  I get it.  But this is all nothing more than subjectivity at play, so I'm not sure why you're acting like there is something more than mere personal preference behind your opinion.  By the way, if we follow your line of reasoning here, towers that are seen more or less universally as examples of "beautiful architecture," like say, The Chrysler Building, should have hundreds of copy cats around the world.  They dont.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 19, 2015 by BnaBreaker

[arkitekte]

I've come out of retirement just to say the L&C tower is just about the ugliest building in Nashville. I can only hope that sometime in the future something is built that will completely block it out. It's ugly as sin just like the Keeble building was and that's why nobody other then a select few here on this forum cares that it's being put out of its misery. There are countless of beautiful buildings built around the country in its time, the L&C is not one of them. NOTHING about that tower says.....wow, now thats great architecture right there. Lol!  If this building was in NYC it would have been demolished a long time ago. 

End rant....bottoms up guys....see ya!

I'm curious as to which "countless of beautiful buildings built around the country in its time" you're referring to. Please don't compare a skyscraper built in the modern style to a single story or low rise utilitarian structure built in the international or modern style. That's what this county was building in the 1950's.

Also, comparing the L&C to a building in NYC? Really? You're comparing Nashville's first skyscraper to the likes of the Seagram Building and Lever House (or outside of NYC, Inland Steel in Chicago) - two of these were designed by the same man. Of course no one is going to compare Nashville's first skyscraper to those. Let's return to a reasonable perspective once again; here we have a city's first high rise that's also a city's first highrise in the modern style, a city's first highrise that openly implemented various ways to reduce heating and cooling costs by window placement and found a way to incorporate traditionally ornate materials without doing it in a non tasteful manner. That's something to say....wow, now that's great architecture. 

 

[Paramount747]

I'm curious as to which "countless of beautiful buildings built around the country in its time" you're referring to. Please don't compare a skyscraper built in the modern style to a single story or low rise utilitarian structure built in the international or modern style. That's what this county was building in the 1950's.

Also, comparing the L&C to a building in NYC? Really? You're comparing Nashville's first skyscraper to the likes of the Seagram Building and Lever House (or outside of NYC, Inland Steel in Chicago) - two of these were designed by the same man. Of course no one is going to compare Nashville's first skyscraper to those. Let's return to a reasonable perspective once again; here we have a city's first high rise that's also a city's first highrise in the modern style, a city's first highrise that openly implemented various ways to reduce heating and cooling costs by window placement and found a way to incorporate traditionally ornate materials without doing it in a non tasteful manner. That's something to say....wow, now that's great architecture. 

 

Again arkitekte is correct. The L&C Tower was built in cooperation with the Vanderbilt Astronomy Department to determine how the fins should be placed based on our position in the solar system at the time. The sun warms the tower in the winter through the fins, and the fins block the sun in the summer. Pretty ingenious design for 1955 when construction started. The shape, which is only a 7000 square foot floor plate, was orientated to reflect the earth and sun position to achieve the heating and cooling effect. Again, this building is a masterpiece and one of the first skyscrapers built using steel to utilize welding as opposed to riveting used from 1895-through the early 1950's. There may still be some rivets in the steel frame, but the 1950's saw the surge of welding. My great grandfather was a rivet man on such buildings as the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. In the architecture community, the L&C Tower is a prime example of Mid Century Modernism moving into the Post Modernist age. 

Edited September 21, 2015 by Paramount747

[MidTenn1]

Again arkitekte is correct. The L&C Tower was built in cooperation with the Vanderbilt Astronomy Department to determine how the fins should be placed based on our position in the solar system at the time. The sun warms the tower in the winter through the fins, and the fins block the sun in the summer. Pretty ingenious design for 1955 when construction started. The shape, which is only a 7000 square foot floor plate, was orientated to reflect the earth and sun position to achieve the heating and cooling effect. Again, this building is a masterpiece and one of the first skyscrapers built using steel to utilize welding as opposed to riveting used from 1895-through the early 1950's. There may still be some rivets in the steel frame, but the 1950's saw the surge of welding. My great grandfather was a rivet man on such buildings as the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. In the architecture community, the L&C Tower is a prime example of Mid Century Modernism moving into the Post Modernist age. 

The way it soars above the street is almost unmatched. It draws your eyes up.

It's a shame the southern side doesn't look so grand.

[Paramount747]

Would ove to see some neon or LED lights run up the front of this building! That would be cool!

[Paramount747]

WW told me last night he hears a mid-October ground breaking for MHT.

[Paramount747]

Looking daily to se fencing going up around the property.

[wmaddbb2018]

Still no fencing I'm sure it will just be a few weeks.