Countrypolitan expansion, 15 stories, 120-130 rooms, ballroom, rooftop bar

[markhollin]

Winston Hotels is seeking Metro's permission to add a 13 story, 120-130 room addition to Hotel Indigo on top of the 2 story former 117-year-old bank building bordering the property to the south at 231 3rd Ave. North. They purchased the classically-designed structure that still bears the name "Nashville Trust Company" last December for $4.6 million. 

Current zoning allows for 6 stories.  Their architect firm, Gresham Smith, makes a range of arguments to bolster its case for 15 stories in this letter:

https://media.bizj.us/view/img/11323838/hotel-indigo.pdf

The proposal calls for historic facade to be preserved and incorporated along with a street level event center, a rooftop bar, and a new restaurant space along Printers Alley.
 

More from the letter:

The Project will allow Applicant to rework the 315/235 Building’s first floor to activate the Printers Alley elevation. Specifically, the Printers Alley side of the 315/235 Building will be improved by installation of new wall wash lights; expansion of existing windows with retractable doors which open into the alley; installation of up-lights to highlight upper windows; installation of new pavement and planters; and the addition of Printers Alley signage at the Union Street corner. This will activate and create a pedestrian friendly environment at the Union Street end of Printers Alley, including a Printers Alley pedestrian entrance to the hotel restaurant. The pre-function event space frontage on 3rd Avenue will also engage and improve that streetscape.

Metro's Historic Zoning Commission has suggested 10 stories, but Winston claims that reduction in room count would make the project economically unfeasible.

More behind the NBJ paywall here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2019/05/20/high-rise-addition-could-nearly-double-boutique.html?iana=hpmvp_nsh_news_headline

[smeagolsfree]

Two words.....HELL NO!

[donNdonelson2]

The modern addition to the Noelle Hotel looks very handsome, in my opinion. If a design for additional floors at this property will pass with approval of the historic commission, I can see this being a project worthy of consideration!

[smeagolsfree]

We have already bastardized all of lower Broad and 2nd Ave. These buildings are no longer historic. You either leave them untouched or do away with Historic. We dont need to start doing this to every historic building in town, then they are no longer historic and therefore can be torn down as they have lost their historic significance.

 

Quit doing this for the sake of height .

[nashvylle]

16 minutes ago, markhollin said:

Winston Hotels is seeking Metro's permission to add a 15 story, 120-130 room addition to Hotel Indigo on top of the former 117-year-old bank building bordering the property to the south at 231 3rd Ave. North. They purchased the classically-designed structure that still bears the name "Nashville Trust Company" last December for $4.6 million. 

Current zoning allows for 6 stories.  Their architect firm, Gresham Smith, makes a range of arguments to bolster its case for 15 stories in this letter:

https://media.bizj.us/view/img/11323838/hotel-indigo.pdf

The proposal calls for historic facade to be preserved and incorporated along with a street level event center, a rooftop bar, and a new restaurant space along Printers Alley.
 

More from the letter:

The Project will allow Applicant to rework the 315/235 Building’s first floor to activate the Printers Alley elevation. Specifically, the Printers Alley side of the 315/235 Building will be improved by installation of new wall wash lights; expansion of existing windows with retractable doors which open into the alley; installation of up-lights to highlight upper windows; installation of new pavement and planters; and the addition of Printers Alley signage at the Union Street corner. This will activate and create a pedestrian friendly environment at the Union Street end of Printers Alley, including a Printers Alley pedestrian entrance to the hotel restaurant. The pre-function event space frontage on 3rd Avenue will also engage and improve that streetscape.

Metro's Historic Zoning Commission has suggested 10 stories, but Winston claims that reduction in room count would make the project economically unfeasible.

More behind the NBJ paywall here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2019/05/20/high-rise-addition-could-nearly-double-boutique.html?iana=hpmvp_nsh_news_headline

 

 

 

 

If this facade was left as is, I am fine with the addition. However, it appears they want to change it. WHY?

[donNdonelson2]

Remember, if you will, the building on the corner (originally the American National Bank Building) had floors added in 1925!

Edited May 20, 2019 by donNdonelson2
Correction

[smeagolsfree]

That was in 1925 when the freaking building was still reasonably new.

[CenterHill]

Does the Hotel Indigo portion of the property not already include the Printer's Alley frontage?    It certainly appears to.     The Nashville Trust building appears to be just the two-story portion fronting 3rd Ave.     

I would love to see the Printer's Alley side activated, but it looks like the Hotel could do that now if they wanted to.    

 

 

[titanhog]

If they would keep the facade, I'd say go for it.

[LA_TN]

On 5/20/2019 at 3:16 PM, smeagolsfree said:

Two words.....HELL NO!

IF they really embellish the facade to compliment the existing structure and the current Indigo building, then I am ok with it. If it will not look any better than the rendering, then I agree with your sentiment 100%

[East Side Urbanite]

Keep the facade. The balustrade is strong. The renderings have me concerned.

WW

[Armacing]

I usually like the concept of building modern buildings over historic buildings in order to bring new life and importance to an old building.  They should preserve the old buildings underneath as much as possible (with some interior refurbishments) and not feel obligated to make the addition look like part of the Historic building.  I think the Port of Antwerp headquarters building is one of the best examples of this approach that I have seen.

[smeagolsfree]

Thats hideous!

[BnaBreaker]

I absolutely love the juxtaposition... it's daring... it's risky... it's one-if-a-kind... and there isn't a building like it on earth.  Not everything has to be so formulaic.  I'm not saying a building being unique means it's automatically good or everyone's cup of tea.  But the world, particularly this corner of it, needs architecture and art that pushes the envelope and inspires and gets people thinking and questioning.  Nashville needs to, quite literally, start thinking outside the box when it comes to building design, in my opinion.  Of course, not every project is can or should be necessarily outside the box to the extent the Antwerp port building is, but every time this issue is brought up people just kind of shrug it off by pretending Nashville just isn't big enough for daring architecture.  The truth is though, that even when you compare our newer highrise architecture to peer cities like Charlotte and Austin we're getting significantly out-gunned.  I mean, we can't even get a building with a simple crown on it, much less a building that pushes the envelope in any sort of way.  We're all about boxes in this town.  

Okay, sorry... my misplaced rant directed at nobody in-particular is now over.  

Edited June 8, 2019 by BnaBreaker

[markhollin]

Some additional renderings of the 15 story addition. 

Gresham Smith and locally based land planning and engineering firm Ragan Smith, will go before the Metro Development and Housing Agency Design Review Committee on Tuesday, Aug. 6, to seek concept plan approval. The site sits within MDHA’s Capitol Mall Redevelopment District and, as such, requires committee approval.

The building would be clad primarily in brick to with windows sizes and spacing to match that of the existing Hotel Indigo windows. It would stand about 180 feet.

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/article/21081073/images-released-for-proposed-downtown-hotel-addition

 

[markhollin]

Metro approves the design for the 180' addition. Also a new renderings, as well as design/render on the second entrance and club along Printers Alley.

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/article/21081236/hotel-indigo-addition-plan-approved

[Bark At The Sun]

When they were hoisting the bus to the top of the Bobby Hotel around 3 or so years ago, me and my co workers were laughing about it and wondering what the designers were thinking.   Now they look smart, because all people want when they come here is a rooftop experience.   

Edited August 7, 2019 by Bark At The Sun

[nashvylle]

more people are inside that bus than in metro buses on the road... 

[NashWellington11]

 

On 6/7/2019 at 12:25 PM, Armacing said:

I usually like the concept of building modern buildings over historic buildings in order to bring new life and importance to an old building.  They should preserve the old buildings underneath as much as possible (with some interior refurbishments) and not feel obligated to make the addition look like part of the Historic building.  I think the Port of Antwerp headquarters building is one of the best examples of this approach that I have seen.

I would argue that the Hearst Tower in New York is a better (read: more widely palatable) example of this. Granted, the original building was built as the base for a tower that never came to fruition so the notion of adding a tower on top of it was not completely out of left field.  

Edited August 7, 2019 by NashWellington11

[markhollin]

Metro Planning Commission has approved the 15-story, 180 addition for Hotel Indigo on top of the NashvilleTrust Building at 231 3rd Ave. North.  the facade will be fully preserved, and the new tower will match the height of the existing Hotel Indigo structure to the north.  

The building would be clad primarily in brick to with window sizes and spacing to match those of the existing Hotel Indigo windows.

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/article/21084623/exgrocery-store-building-space-for-lease

[smeagolsfree]

Its actually a 13 story addition on the 2 story to be a total of 15 stories. I wanted to clear up any confusion.

[Nash_12South]

I’d like a more unique addition to the Indigo as well, but Metro pushes for a more “back ground” (bland) approach so as to not “compete” with the historic structures.....

[markhollin]

The 13 story addition on top of the old bank building is going to add nicely to density along this block.  And should the Chicago developer who recently purchased the parking garage in the foreground proceed with a proposed 15 story structure alongside, it will be even better.

Looking NW from 3rd Ave. North from Bankers Alley:

 

[markhollin]

JMI Realty out of Austin has purchased the 161 room Indigo Hotel for $60 million.

But there's more to this deal than simply buying an existing hotel. Last year, Metro's Planning Commission approved plans for a high-rise to be built atop a neighboring building at 231 Third Ave. N. As proposed by Winston Hospitality, the expansion would add 120 to 130 hotel rooms, event space, a rooftop bar and restaurant space along Printers Alley.

More behind the NBJ paywall here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2020/02/18/austin-developer-buys-downtown-hotel-approved-for.html?iana=hpmvp_nsh_news_headline

 

And the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/article/21116851/austin-company-pays-592m-for-downtown-hotel

[archilove]

On 8/7/2019 at 3:16 PM, NashWellington11 said:

 

I would argue that the Hearst Tower in New York is a better (read: more widely palatable) example of this. Granted, the original building was built as the base for a tower that never came to fruition so the notion of adding a tower on top of it was not completely out of left field.  

Different for the sake of being different. Odd looking at best. Am glad Indigo expansion is keeping the old facade. It is far superior to the remake.