Repurposed/revitalized historical buildings in Nashville

[bhibbs]

theres a great hidden away billiards bar on the second floor as well!
(regarding the sportsmens on the last page)
(they also have the best burger in nashville, and ill will argue to death over this)

Edited October 28, 2016 by bhibbs

[rookzie]

1 hour ago, bhibbs said:

theres a great hidden away billiards bar on the second floor as well!
(regarding the sportsmens on the last page)
(they also have the best burger in nashville, and ill will argue to death over this)

I believe that's it's now the Chandler's (owners') cigar room.  It used to have six antique Brunswick-brand tables, for either snooker or 8-ball.  Last time I was up there in that pool hall, was when buddies of mine used to hang there during the mid-'70s, under different ownership by some old, portly, cigar-chompin' man.  I also believe that the Chandlers had owned the recently closed Melrose Billiards.

[donNdonelson2]

That building housed the very popular restaurant/bar "Spats" for many years. I enjoyed many a burger and adult beverage there back in the day!

[CenterHill]

4 hours ago, markhollin said:

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. 

 

That was the old Spats watering hole when I was in college.   Spent a LOT of time in there.     You're right about the need for a little freshening.    Remarkably little has changed inside or out in the last 30 yrs.  

[markhollin]

The Rutledge Hill mansion standing at 16 Academy Place is deserving of a major revitalization.  As far as I can tell, it is owned by a private citizen, and appears to be falling into disrepair.  This circa 1900, 6,200 sq. ft. beauty has 9 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and 23 rooms altogether.  Could make an amazing Bed & Breakfast, or Legal Office, or...let your imagination run wild. 



 

[rookzie]

It actually looks halfway spooky and haunted, as if that were your secondary intention in posting, not to discount the need to save "House on Haunted Hill" (1959. William Castle, Producer-Director; starring Vincent Price and Richard Long)

[markhollin]

The 2,500 sq. ft. foursquare home at 2005 Belmont Blvd has been purchased by Bong Java (it's next door neighbor).  Bongo owner Bob Bernstein plans on converting it from a 4-unit apartment building into an eatery.  Was built in 1905. Wonderful to see some of these stout old homes being repurposed like this.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2016/10/31/bongo-java-owner-explores-new-belmont-area-restaurant/93059452/

 

[markhollin]

1950-era storefront/industrial building on Chestnut being retrofitted at 3,600 sq. ft. for creative industry use:

http://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/article/20839289/wedgewoodhoustonarea-building-set-for-upgrade

 

[markhollin]

The most recent $15 million remodeling of Union Station Hotel is complete.  Full slide show here.  I've included some of my favorite shots.

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2016/11/03/slideshow-iconic-nashville-hotel-gets-updated-look.html

 

[titanhog]

^^A Nashville gem!  

[bhibbs]

I hate to admit this, but, i have never stepped foot inside of there, I really need to change that

[rookzie]

..Quite a transformation from the times when I would sit on the bench pews alongside my grandmother, aunts, or mother in that grand waiting room during the 1950s through the mid '60s, and then alone from that period through the mid-late '70s, either to wait for my train to a number of far-off places and hear it rumble as it passed below the station floor, or to wait to be picked up upon arrival.

The place was literally falling apart starting some 15 years before its abandonment in October 1979, but for a joint that nearly got the wrecking ball months following, there's no way I really could complain of this revival, in spite of any other use for which it could have been re-purposed.

Edited November 4, 2016 by rookzie

[markhollin]

The Barista Parlor did a wonderful job transforming the former 1-story cinder block industrial building at the SE corner of Monroe St. and 4th AVe. North in Germantonw.  The 2,800 sq. ft. structure was originally built in 1950.



 

[markhollin]

Rolf and Daughters restauranteurs of Germantown have leased property at the southeast corner of Meridian and Wilburn streets in East Nashville with plans for a new restaurant.

The location at 823 and 825 Meridian St. includes a 3,652-square-foot building (built in 1931), which was once home to elevator manufacturing, installation, maintenance and repair business Automatic Elevator Inc.  It is across the street from the soon-to-be-renovated Roxy Theater in the Cleveland Park area.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2016/11/15/rolf-and-daughters-owner-plans-new-east-nashville-restaurant/93926380/


 

[CenterHill]

Longing for the rain in that photo.   

[markhollin]

Bill Miller, who also owns the Johnny Cash Museum, the Sun Diner, and Nudies Honky Tonk, recently purchased the 1890-era 2-story building at 120 Third Avenue South.  It has approximately 15,000 sq. ft. of usable event space, and it is rumored his plans will be to make it into either another museum for an iconic country artist and/or a possible restaurant/bar.

Here is the website of The Avenue, which currently inhabits the building as an event space:

http://www.nashvilleeventspace.com/venues/avenue/ 



 

[markhollin]

The Cohen Building, nestled between Downtown Presbyterian Church and Viridian Condo Tower at 421 Church Street, was built in 1890 and is a real gem.  One of our favorite developers, Tony Giarratana, is among the current tenants. This Renaissance Revival-style 3-story building.  Originally it was home to jeweler Meyer Cohen, who ran his shop at street level and lived on the top two floors. 



 

[rookzie]

28 minutes ago, markhollin said:

The Cohen Building, nestled between Downtown Presbyterian Church and Viridian Condo Tower at 421 Church Street, was built in 1890 and is a real gem.  One of our favorite developers, Tony Giarratana, is among the current tenants. This Renaissance Revival-style 3-story building.  Originally it was home to jeweler Meyer Cohen, who ran his shop at street level and lived on the top two floors.

You think it just might have defied all odds?  I'd surely say it did!  Now If only it could answer and tell its side of the story.....

[markhollin]

The Mad Platter, one of the very first restaurants to open at the beginning of theGermantown renaissance 27 years ago, has announced they are closing Jan. 1st.  The owners, Craig and marcia Jervis, are approaching their 60s, and want ot enjoy their retirement years with more time in Costa Rica.  I'm sure they will be able to cash out big time on their investment.  A new owner would do well to retain the name (if the Jervis' were willing to sell the rights).  But no matter what, that locale will continue to do big business as an eatery.  I had many a meal there over the years, and always enjoyed the revolving paintings on the walls by local artists. 

The 3,800 sq. ft., 2 story brick structure structure was built in 1900, has served as many businesses over the years, with an apartment upstairs. 

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2016/11/23/mad-platter-close-after-27-years/94332272/

 

[Nathan_in_DC]

On 10/28/2016 at 10:45 AM, markhollin said:

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. 

 

I have long wished that Sportsman's Grille would get a bit of a spruce up and be a better place to hang out. I really want to like it, and that area needs a local divey hangout since the demise of Sam's. Honestly, just fixing or removing the tattered window awnings would do wonders for the place. The peeling paint almost gives it a charm.

[markhollin]

Rudy's Jazz Room is coming to the lower level at 809 Gleaves Street (the SW corner of Gleaves and 9th Avenue South in the Gulch), originally built in the 1800s as the ticketing office for the train lines nearby.  This will be a great addition to our music scene in Nashville, and an outlet for some of our top musicians to share their gifts.

More info on the club (including a video) are at this link for their Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the centerpiece of the stage, a Steinway grand piano:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rudysjazzroom/rudys-jazz-room-nashvilles-authentic-late-night-ja?ref=thanks_share

 

[markhollin]

Closers Sports Bar at 717 Third Avenue North is being built in the 1902-era 1-story brick retail/warehouse space that for many years has been home to Melton and Sullivan Bonding Companies. The owners are adding a rooftop party deck as well.  This will be the only sports bar serving the burgeoning apartment/condo developments featuring over a thousand residential units that are springing-up within 3 blocks in every direction over the next several years.

http://www.nashvillepost.com/business/food-business/article/20826944/highend-sports-bar-planned-for-ballpark-area

 

[Canuck87]

Well that didn't take long... the Mad Platter property is under contract

“'The prospective buyer is very aware of what’s happening in Germantown and will be a heavy contributor to the neighborhood,' said Grout, who declined to disclose either the would-be buyer or a closing date for the transaction."

"A LoopNet listing shows the building, built in 1889, spans 3,858 square feet. The asking price is $1.75 million, the equivalent of $453.60 per foot."

Article: http://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/article/20844692/mad-platter-property-under-contract

[markhollin]

The three story beauty (four in the back) at 234 4th Avenue North has 3,700 sq. ft. of space and was built in 1901.  Has housed numerous businesses, retailers, and residents (on upper floors) over the past 115 years, including an upscale clothier currently.



 

[CenterHill]

The recent exterior work on that building has been tastefully done.