Haven at The Gulch, 11 stories, 299 apts, $100 million

[markhollin]

Travis Kelty is finally moving forward with a project at his 1.8 acre site at 641 Division St., at the southwestern base of the Division Street Connector. Over the years he has proposed a development called Crescendo, which initially was going to be 20+  stories, then later reduced to 6.  

Now it will be called Haven at the Gulch, will be 10 and 11 stories, with 299 apts. built on top of a 3 level garage. The building's design complies with existing zoning, so no variances are needed. Applications will be made this month for the first permit needed to build the project.

Between additional new investors Joe Porter, Prescient Company, and Guefen Development, they have lined up an additional 70% of money needed via a multi-billion dollar bank (unnamed at this point). Total completed value will exceed $100 million.

It will feature a unique design utilizing steel frames and panels that are assembled elsewhere that workers will snap together on-site to create the shell of the building. Stucco will be applied to the building's exterior.

The approach allows for a taller building  while saving 10 percent to 20 percent in costs compared to concrete. That's partly because it's faster than waiting days for each floor of concrete to harden.

"It's kind of like Legos. It's assembled with nuts and bolts. You're not doing welding on-site," says David Kulkarni of Guefen. "It's very low-waste."

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/residential-real-estate/article/21059520/groundbreaking-looms-for-pie-town-project

More behind the NBJ paywall here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2019/03/13/exclusive-houston-developer-unveils-cant-miss.html?iana=hpmvp_nsh_news_headline

This screen shot from Smeagolsfree's excellent development map shows the site highlighted in teal (and shown as Crescendo) in the center of the frame:

[Jamie Hall]

It's nice to see development popping up on that end of the Gulch. Curious about the "Signage" space though -- is that a spot for potential retail or a restaurant? The story doesn't indicate anything.

[nashwatcher]

Does stucco ever age well?

[MTFAN]

ugly.  Looks like a suburban hospital.

Edited March 13, 2019 by MTFAN

[BnaBreaker]

6 minutes ago, MTFAN said:

ugly.  Looks like a suburban hospital.

Looks like something a Houston developer would come up with.  

[PillowTalk4]

7 minutes ago, MTFAN said:

ugly.  Looks like a suburban hospital.

I thought the exact same thing.  That site calls for a much better design.  That's a high impact location visually.  Even for an 11 story building the design should worthy of the site location.

[CenterHill]

Disappointing.   It's unfortunate that this will be the first "downtown" building drivers will encounter approaching from I-65 and I-40 E.   

[MLBrumby]

42 minutes ago, BnaBreaker said:

Looks like something a Houston developer would come up with.  

Or Travis Kelty. I expect this thing to be a blight on the skyline for decades to come. Sure to become downtown's first slummy tenement in the next economic downturn. 

[Tennessine]

That design couldn't get any more carbon-copy. Slash the height in half, double the acreage, put a huge parking lot from the building to the periphery and stick it in Williamson County. Though I suppose this as good as it gets for the property being adjacent to the interstate. Ultimately, I'm glad we're adding some more height and density, but I think it's not exceedingly negative to criticize the lame design.

[TheRaglander]

1 hour ago, nativetenn said:

That design couldn't get any more carbon-copy. Slash the height in half, double the acreage, put a huge parking lot from the building to the periphery and stick it in Williamson County. Though I suppose this as good as it gets for the property being adjacent to the interstate. Ultimately, I'm glad we're adding some more height and density, but I think it's not exceedingly negative to criticize the lame design.

Here's the "little brother" version... in Franklin

[Tennessine]

Raglander coming in clutch with proof that this rendering is a "Franklin Box."

[PillowTalk4]

15 hours ago, nativetenn said:

..... Though I suppose this as good as it gets for the property being adjacent to the interstate. ....

There are substantial developments built next to interstates and major highways all over this country.  This is simply a piss poor design and lackadaisical effort.   

[Jamie Hall]

 

I get the complaints about lack of originality for this design, but for perspective, keep in mind that it is being built next to the Frugal McDougal liquor warehouse and one building over from the Pour House bar with its faux second-floor facade -- so the design standards for that block aren't particularly high. This will up the ante for that part of the Gulch significantly.

And doesn't this still leave an additional lot next door (alongside the tracks) to still be developed?

[smeagolsfree]

There are two things I hate on apartment buildings, Hardie Board and Stucco. It seems as if the builders in  Nashville absolutely love those materials and neither age well because they are cheap, Cheap, CHEAP.

[CenterHill]

This quote made me laugh.     As if the person were not aware that steel frame construction has been in use since the 1800's.   

The snap-on panels covered in stucco sound like taking cheap to a new level.   

 

Quote

It will feature a unique design utilizing steel frames and panels that are assembled elsewhere that workers will snap together on-site to create the shell of the building. Stucco will be applied to the building's exterior.

The approach allows for a taller building  while saving 10 percent to 20 percent in costs compared to concrete. That's partly because it's faster than waiting days for each floor of concrete to harden.

"It's kind of like Legos. It's assembled with nuts and bolts. You're not doing welding on-site," says David Kulkarni of Guefen. "It's very low-waste."

 

 

[Tennessine]

Not only does it look tacky, but this thing has a lower lifespan than those sh*tty student apartments they build off campus in Knoxville. Not impressed. Downtown Nashville is WAY too good for this.

[satalac]

I will refer to this as the Haven for Hot Garbage.

This is terrible.

[PillowTalk4]

I've decided not to follow the progression of this project.  If they change the design to something more fitting to the location and overall development of the Gulch, please notify me....  If the project falls dead notify me so I can pay my respects at the funeral.... 

[Mr_Bond]

What are the blue wave looking things on the parking garage?  A tribute to Lake Palmer?

[titanhog]

I hope the city tells him it will have to be all-brick instead of stucco.  THEN...he'll end up dropping the whole thing.  Fingers crossed.

[smeagolsfree]

Metro has no materials guidelines here because it is not in any redevelopment district. Even if it were Metro is mamby pamby to the developers. They let a lot of them do what they want to do.

Metro at some point will really need to step up but from what I have seen from the Planning dept. and the new director it is steady as she goes. Dont rock the boat.

[nashwatcher]

Does anyone know the developers? If so please communicate to them how bad of an aesthetic this is. Spend a little more and create a way better product.

[smeagolsfree]

These jokers are out of Houston.

[titanhog]

And btw...the fact that the crap people put on Nashville-area buildings is called "stucco" really does a disservice to what I consider the real stuff they use out west on Adobe-style homes.  This stuff out here just looks like blown-on fiberglass.

[markhollin]

All the machinations on the sale ($13.5 million) of the property at 641 Division St. are now complete for Travis Kelty, Joe Porter of Highpoint Division Partners, Prescient Company, and Guefen Development to move forward very soon.  The cost of the project is supposed to exceed $100 million.

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/article/21065823/pie-town-site-for-midrise-sells-for-135m