Repurposed/revitalized historical buildings in Nashville

[nashvillwill]

It would make a perfect spot for a grocery store. A TJ's or Whole Foods. Easy Freeway access and plenty of options for a parking garage. 

[markhollin]

The owners of the Morris Building (circa 1924), which is home to the National Baptist Convention, are considering adding up to ten stories on top as possible hotel space.  IF it were done in the same Classical Revival style as the rest of the building, I could possibly see it working.  No renderings have been revealed yet. Remember, the American Trust Bank building was originally a 4-story colossal classic structure, and later had 10 stories added to it (now the Indigo Hotel). Most people love how that turned out.  This is a topic ready for abundant discussion.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2016/10/09/hotel-idea-lands-african-american-denominations-historic-building-endangered-list/91734060/

 

 

The American National Bank building as it looked in the early 1900s:

 

American National Bank Building as it looked after it's 10-story addition in 1925:

 

As it looks today as the Hotel Indigo:

[arkitekte]

6 hours ago, markhollin said:

The owners of the Morris Building (circa 1924), which is home to the National Baptist Convention, are considering adding up to ten stories on top as possible hotel space.  IF it were done in the same Classical Revival style as the rest of the building, I could possibly see it working.  No renderings have been revealed yet. Remember, the American Trust Bank building was originally a 4-story colossal classic structure, and later had 10 stories added to it (now the Indigo Hotel). Most people love how that turned out.  This is a topic ready for abundant discussion.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2016/10/09/hotel-idea-lands-african-american-denominations-historic-building-endangered-list/91734060/

 

 

First, thanks for sharing those historic photos. 

A rooftop addition wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing here; however, proportionally it should be 40 to 50 percent of the historic structure's height, feature setbacks from the wall planes of the historic building and share similar fenestration patterns. Anything more than that might leave us with a stucco muffin top.

If this were 1920, I would be all for an addition in the revival style, but today, not so much. The financial resources that the developer would need to actually design and construct an addition that is both architecturally appropriate in regards to massing and facade arrangement coupled with the use of appropriate materials would make than a ridiculously expensive project. The use of contemporary materials wouldn't be as bad if this weren't so much of a stand alone structure. 

[jl1718]

This years Nashville Nine has been released. Hope this is the right thread.

 

http://wkrn.com/2016/10/09/list-of-nashvilles-9-most-endangered-historic-places-released/

 

Jerry

[PruneTracy]

On 10/9/2016 at 8:30 AM, markhollin said:

The owners of the Morris Building (circa 1924), which is home to the National Baptist Convention, are considering adding up to ten stories on top as possible hotel space.  IF it were done in the same Classical Revival style as the rest of the building, I could possibly see it working.

I vote to put a glass box on top of it.

[donNdonelson2]

Make it a glass pyramid, perhaps? 

[Neigeville2]

9 hours ago, PruneTracy said:

I vote to put a glass box on top of it.

I actually like these type of projects where they put a tinted glass box on top of an older style building and replace the windows on the old part with matching glass, so it looks like a new building was fitted into the sleeve of the old one.  There's a not very huge building like that in Near North Chicago someplace but I can't find a picture.

Too bad the American National Bank didn't retain that beautiful pediment when they added the extra floors.  That medallion shape in the middle gave it a real Art Nouveau vibe.

On 10/9/2016 at 8:30 AM, markhollin said:

...The American National Bank building as it looked in the early 1900s:

 

American National Bank Building as it looked after it's 10-story addition in 1925:

 

 

 

[volsfanwill]

This is one of my favorites:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearst_Tower_(Manhattan)

 

[PruneTracy]

On 10/10/2016 at 9:56 PM, Neigeville2 said:

There's a not very huge building like that in Near North Chicago someplace but I can't find a picture.

Yeah, but for every one of those you get a

By the way I was only trying to rile up the anti-boxers although I agree that this style ends up very nice when tastefully done.

[markhollin]

Edgehill Village's redevelopment should be a real source of pride for we Nashvillians.  The eight brick buildings were built in 1924 as the 56,000 sq. ft. central complex for Whiteway Cleaners. It gradually fell into disuse by the 1980s, and was left empty for a few decades before being redeveloped into a terrific mixed-use urban center that has helped revitalize the entire surrounding neighborhood.

http://edgehillvillage.com

http://edgehillvillage.com/directory/

 

[rookzie]

It never will be the same, but then it never should be.  An easterly view during a rainy August 1937 night along Church Street, shown with the Princess Theater and its signature "Vaudeville" marquee on the right at its then-location in the Jackson Bldg., which also included Florsheim Shoes.  After the Cain-Sloan Company acquired the property, the Princess Theater would be relocated in 1949 one block east and in 1959 it would become remodeled and managed by the Crescent Entertainment Company (of which Tony Sudekum had been President), and be given the name "Crescent Cinerama".  Razed in 1994, the site became Tony Giarratana's current development, the Viridian condominium tower.

The Florsheim store shown (as part of the former Jackson Bldg), and which also vacated the Jackson Bldg. and which relocated to the west side of 6th Ave., mid-block (also razed), became the now well recognized site of the former Cain-Sloan Department store of 1957, now becoming occupied by "505".

At least one iconic symbol looming in the darkness of the far background is becoming a Phoenix rising from the ashes.

[markhollin]

The Merritt House Mansion, which faces Humphreys Street in the Wedgewood/Houston neighborhood, was started around 1840, and completed around 1870. After falling into horrible disrepair by the early 2000s, and was nearly torn down.  Eventually it was bought by a private couple who spent over half a million to restore the home to its former glory. Over a year ago, the band Kings of Leon purchased it for $1.3 million, and now utilize it for part of their management offices, and housing for folks utilizing their studio, which is just a block away.  Yet another example of how some of Nashville's wonderful architectural past is being not only preserved but also utilized for modern purposes.

http://www.nashvillescene.com/news/article/13056547/the-merritt-mansion-survives-even-as-wedgewoodhouston-shifts-from-cow-pastures-to-factories-to-art-galleries

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2015/03/sale-of-historic-wedgewood-houston-mansion-tied-to.html

http://keltonhomes.com/2015/03/17/wedgewood-houston-merritt-mansion-owned-by-kings-of-leon/

 

[titanhog]

^^Love how Kings of Leon (and others) embrace Nashville and try to give back in some way.

[timmay143]

That is simply awesome.

[markhollin]

The Belmont University Bookstore update.  Formerly the Athlete's House sporting goods store, and one-time distributor for a snack company when originally built in the 1920s:

Looking NW from corner of Belmont Blvd. and 17th Ave. South:

 

Looking east from the backside along Portland Ave:

[CenterHill]

As much as I'll miss the Athlete's House, the conversion to the Belmont bookstore will be a great addition to this corner.     And, the construction fence around the stately elm tree in the parking lot indicates Belmont's intent to keep it.    I've always marveled at how this tree has somehow managed to survive all these years with its roots completely paved over.    It deserves to live on!    

[markhollin]

Darkhorse Theater took over the former Presbyterian Church building at 4610 Charlotte Pike in 1990.  The sanctuary was reconstituted, and now has a 136-seat auditorium that slopes upward from a large staging area where the award-winning local troupe puts on productions. I cannot find any records as to when the structure was originally erected, but my guess is sometime in the 1920s. This is another gem that has not only been preserved, but has an active purpose that adds to the artistic influence within our community.

Looking NE from Richland Park along Charlotte Ave. near the intersection with 47th Ave. North:

 

Looking north from Charlotte Ave:

 

Looking SE along 47th Ave. North:

[MidTenn1]

On ‎10‎/‎22‎/‎2016 at 10:01 AM, markhollin said:

Darkhorse Theater took over the former Presbyterian Church building at 4610 Charlotte Pike in 1990.  The sanctuary was reconstituted, and now has a 136-seat auditorium that slopes upward from a large staging area where the award-winning local troupe puts on productions. I cannot find any records as to when the structure was originally erected, but my guess is sometime in the 1920s. This is another gem that has not only been preserved, but has an active purpose that adds to the artistic influence within our community.

 

I have spent many hours in that building theater sets, directing and managing plays, rigging and running lighting and sound and yes, acting. I just finished a three week run in a play on Saturday. In fact at one time, the google earth view showed my car parked outside.

As for the building itself, it shows it's age significantly; unlevel floors, creaky stairs (not good for theater), cramped rooms, etc. But it is busy. There are always people from creative groups (theater, tv, actors unions, indy movies, circuses, burlesque (that got your attention) and pretty much any other entertainment endeavor you could think of) using it. It is an incredible asset that fills a need and helps make the city a great city. 

[markhollin]

The Stahlman Building was considered Nashville's tallest from the time it was completed in 1907 until the L&C Tower was built in 1957. The 12-story, 176 ft. tall Classical Revival design was done by Carpenter and Blair. For many decades it was the home of Fourth National Bank and dozens of attorneys offices.  

In 1967, while its studios were located in the building, WKDA mounted huge red letters on the eastern facing roof.  Later the "A" was replaced by and "F" for their FM outlet. Even though the stations moved to their current Rutlege Hill home in the mid-70s, they have retained the neon lettering on the Stahlman all these years. 

From 1971 until 2005 it was housed Metro Government departments. In 2005 it was sold to the Mathews Company for $500,000, and then $1 million in renovations were done to convert the structure into residential use (see the slide show at the link below for some samples of the beautiful housing units).  The Mathews family has just announced they are selling the building...can only guess what kind of profit margin they will earn on their investments of 11 years ago:

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2016/10/24/mathews-selling-historic-downtown.html

The Stahlman is another grand old lady whose continued reinvention can give us development fans in Nashville immense pride.

http://www.thestahlman.com/phototour.cfm

 

[titanhog]

^^I hope they never take the WKDF letters off of the building.  It's "so Nashville"...and I love it.

[Neigeville2]

^I really like the ornament over the doorway with the word Stahlman in skewed perspective.  It doesn't match the style of the rest of the building, but I think it totally works.  

[rookzie]

14 hours ago, Neigeville2 said:

^I really like the ornament over the doorway with the word Stahlman in skewed perspective.  It doesn't match the style of the rest of the building, but I think it totally works.  

That soffit actually was installed some 30 years following the initial construction.  I agree as well that it doesn't quite match that building design inspired of turn-of-20th-C Beaux-Arts ornate style, which also complements the presence of the American Trust Bldg. on the opposite corner of that "Tee" intersection at 3rd and Union.

The signs and soffit itself, of stainless-steel Art-Deco fabrication, always did enthrall my attention, ever since I was a kid, and when I decide to go to get a hoagie from that Jersey Mikes on the NE (frontal) corner of that building, I always look up and admire that thing.  As crazy as it seems, the damn sign probably has endowed subliminal urge for me to choose to go there, when I do have a hankerin'.

It was common for such structures to receive external appurtenances to "update" their appearance during the 1930s, as a matter of branding to confer a sleek and bold look.  I always thought that the false-perspective intention was strange but that this made it that more fascinating against otherwise rectilinear conventionality.  That soffit and the signs have become an historic icon, as the building itself, in my mind, and it's contrast against the building is made even more apparent with the red-granite surround with engraved "Stahlman" above the doors, all of which definitely post-dates the structure itself.

[MidTenn1]

22 hours ago, titanhog said:

^^I hope they never take the WKDF letters off of the building.  It's "so Nashville"...and I love it.

You can see the KDF sign in the background of the opening scene to "The Matrix" where Carrie Anne Moss runs across the rooftops. 

 

Apparently, some studio had a massive backdrop of the Nashville skyline which was used in several movies.

[CenterHill]

58 minutes ago, PHofKS said:

You can see the KDF sign in the background of the opening scene to "The Matrix" where Carrie Anne Moss runs across the rooftops. 

Apparently, some studio had a massive backdrop of the Nashville skyline which was used in several movies.

Ha!  I never knew that.    

[markhollin]

The Sportsman's Grille at the SW corner of 21st Avenue South and Children's Way has always been a favorite building of mine, with it's angled front entrance, and rich woodwork inside.  Built in 1953, the restaurant takes up the first floor, and offices are on the second.  Could definitely use a new coat of paint and some tree trimming along the northern side.