The Dave Luna Urban Planet Forum Meet-Up (online, too), Sat. April 6th, 10 AM to noon; Copper Branch patio at Downtown Library at 6th Ave. North and Church St.

[BnaBreaker]

who is everyone?  I'd love to be able to match some names to faces!

[Bos2Nash]

Thanks for hosting this monthly, was happy to finally join in!

On 6/2/2018 at 1:08 PM, BnaBreaker said:

who is everyone?  I'd love to be able to match some names to faces!

2nd from right (green shirt)

Edited June 5, 2018 by Bos2Nash

[markhollin]

Our next Urban Planet Nashville Meet-Up will be this Saturday, July 7th, from 10 AM to noon at Luna Llena Taqueria (300 James Robertson Parkway, at the NW corner of JRP and 3rd Avenue North).  Some of the stories of the past month we'll be discussing will be the 2nd Ave. Partners 40 story tower being approved by Metro,  PSC Metals plotting a move to former State Prison site,  new design ideas for the redevelopment of the Fairgrounds around the soccer stadium, GBT Realty's proposed 20 story tower at West End and I-440,  Broadwest  36 and 22 story tower development at West End Summit site,  and much more.  A full agenda will be posted on this thread in the next few days.

There are no events at Municipal Auditorium this Saturday, so no parking issues.  Plenty of free spaces directly behind the restaurant.  Looking forward to another great group!  : )

[Skyscrapergeek]

I mentioned this at one of the last meets, what does everyone think of officially naming it “The Dave Luna / Urban Planet Forum Meet”?  Or something to that effect.  The restaurants already named after him. 

[smeagolsfree]

I had forgotten and the name change is in place. PM me if you have any concerns but the Mods discussed this at the meet and all were in agreement.

 

Thanks for the reminder!

[Skyscrapergeek]

Thanks Ron!  Looks great!

[smeagolsfree]

I will be there this month with a report on Omaha, Kansas City, Des Moines, St Louis, and Indianapolis. William will have a report on Louisville too I believe. As always, I will be there about one hour ahead of time to feed my face with a good breakfast burrito and shoot the bull with those that show up early.

[markhollin]

Even though we're into the dog days of summer, there will be lots of new topics to discuss at this Saturday's (July 7th) Dave Luna Urban Planet  Nashville Meet-Up.   A full agenda of discussion topics is below. Looking forward to another great crowd from 10 AM to noon a Luna Llena Taqueria (300 James Robertson Parkway, NW corner of JRP and 3rd Ave. North).  No events at Municipal Auditorium, so there will be plenty of free parking in the lot immediately behind the restaurant. 

AGENDA:

- Meet any new attendees, make introductions.

- Brief reports from anyone who visited another city and has an update on development they saw there.

- Items for discussion:

• Topped Out:  City Lights (7 stories), Airport garage (7 stories), Moxy Hotel SoBro (6 stories), 8th & Argyle (3 stories).
• Just underway: Belcourt Village, Kenect, Bellevue Ice Center
• Crane up: None...but a bunch about to  be erected. Total of 26 tower cranes around Davidson County are currently raised. 
• Crane down: Airport garage, Melrose Phase II.  
• 1700 & 1710 8th Ave. South (next to The Basement), interior of Sullivan Tower prepping for implosion, SW corner of Church and 9th Ave. North, 2 of 3 buildings on Union Gulch Phase I site about to come down.
• Core Drilling: Belcourt Village, Graduate Hotel, Vandy Tower
• Broadwest will be the name  of the two tower project (36 story condo/hotel, and 22 story/500,000 sq. ft. office) at former West End Summit site.  Rendering released.
• 2nd Ave. Partners (40 story & 15 story condos/5 Star hotel, $350 million) at NE corner of 2nd Ave. South and Demonbreun approved by Metro Zoning.  Groundbreaking set for Jan. 2019.
• GBT Realty planning two towers (one at 20 stories) at 3419 Murphy Rd. at intersection of West End Ave. and I-440. 250,000 sq. ft. of Class A office space, 175 room hotel, 30,000 sq. ft. of retail, and large internal garage.
• Nashville Yards' AEG section (3.9 acres) will have a larger hotel (originally shown as 17 stories)--no brand or other specs announced yet. 700 seat music club nixed. There will be a dozen food/drink properties, 5 or 6 movie theaters (instead of 10). 4,000 seat theater remains in plan. Sullivan Tower to be imploded sometime in 2nd half of July.
• Gulch Union will be the new name of Endeavor's 12th Ave. & Demonbreun project. Phase I (20 story, 329,000 sq. ft. office tower at $100 million) to break ground in August, with May, 2020 finish planned. Phase II will be residential tower with 250-300 units (probably 30 stories), and hotel with 250 rooms (about 18 stories).  Hope to have hotel brand finalized in August.
• 805 Lea (31 stories?, 375 residential units) now has land secured by 4 New Orleans-based investors, who also control a total of 2.8 connected acres just west of Music City Circle. Things seem to be moving forward. 
• McGavock Street Hotel (16 stories, 380 rooms) hopes to begin excavating by early fall.  New rendering released.
• W Hotel (16 stories, 350 rooms, 2 top tier restaurants) in Gulch at SE corner of 12th Ave. South and Laurel to break ground in next two months.
• LaQuinta Inn (11 stories, approx. 200 rooms) at 315 Interstate Drive approved by Metro Board of Zoning.
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car leaving 606 Lafayette St. for 8th Ave. South next to The Basement. Wonder what Shelby Smith has in mind now for that 2.8 acre site that is part of his holdings in SoBro?
• Metro Sport Authority gives preliminary approval to Populous to design the 28,500 seat MLS stadium (flexibility to expand to 32,000) at Fairgrounds.  Metro seeking bids for construction with $190 million budget. Pre-construction to begin in August, with main work to start in June of 2019.  Fair Board approves realignment plans for stadium and new expo buildings. Updated plans on adjoining development: 900 apartments, 200 hotel rooms (no brand yet), 200,000 sq. ft. of office space, 100,000 sq. ft. of retail. 8,255 parking spaces accounted for.  Need at least 2,300 more.
• Predators' Bellevue Ice Center broke ground last week at One Bellevue Place.
• PSC Metals considering move to Centennial Blvd. at former State Prison site (borders on Cumberland River).  They want 20-30 acres there. 
• TownPlace Suites (8 stories, 160 rooms) is moving forward at 1414 Charlotte Ave. (current home to Subway and Haddox Pharmacy). 
• McMillan & Church (now 12 & 7 stories, 126 condos, 6,000 sq. ft. of retail) seems to be stirring at 1506 Church St. and 215 15th Ave. North. Double the size of original plan from 2 years ago, New renderings.
• Residential building on .41 acre at 2012 West End Ave. on former site of Jack In The Box, and just west of Graduate Hotel in the works.  No height or renderings yet.
• Hyatt brand hotel (4 stories, 135 rooms) to be built at 3818 Bedford Ave. near Green Hills Mall. Ed Ewing is developer. No renderings yet. 
• Southeast Development is buying 11.3 acres at 341 Great Circle Drive in Metro Center from United Methodist Publishing House for a future residential complex.  Has views of Cumberland River to the north.
• 2 story/60,000 sq. ft. restaurant/retail complex along 3rd base line at First Tennessee Ballpark approved by MDHA.  Groundbreaking imminent.  Plan to have open by April of 2019.
• iFly (6 story indoor skydiving attraction) announced for .6 acre site at NW corner of Cowan and Jefferson Streets, directly east of TopGolf. Completion by summer of 2019.
• The View at City Heights (4 stories, 16 townhomes) announced for 2805 Delaware in McKissak Park.
• Thrive at City Heights (townhomes, condos, retail, and restaurant announced by John Eldridge for 1.4 acres at 2600 Clifton Ave.  Will include 15% workforce housing. 
• Endeavor City Heights (3 stories, 24 apts, 7 townhomes) is underway at 2511 Clifton Ave. Should be finished first quarter of 2019.
• 31st & Belwood (3 & 4 stories, 8 townhomes) planned for West End Park.  Groundbreaking next month. 
• 2909 Parthenon Ave. (3 stories, 16 units) planned for West End Park.
• Aloft Hotel (5 stories, 100 rooms) planned for vacant lot at 608 McGavock Pike. 
• 2AVES (3 stories, 58 units) townhomes announced for Vernon and James Avenues in The Nations.
• Silo Bend Phase II (49 cottages,/townhomes, 103 condos, and Silo Studios in former 70,000 sq. ft. lumber warehouse) announced for The Nations. 
• Fork's Drum Closet relocating to remodeled 1920's era 2 story building at 308-310 Chestnut St. in WeHo. Much more space. New owners are Chicago-based drum specialty group. No word yet on where Corner Music will relocate from complex at 12th Ave. South and Dallas St. that sold last month for $7 million.
• Riverfront flood wall voted down by Metro Council again. 
• McKewen Northside underway in Cool Springs. 4, 5, & 7 story buildings, mixed-use, and hotel.

Real Estate Deals:

1) Jim Caden buys final piece of Tennessean property at 1100 McGavock St. for $6.3 million.
2) Firestone property (.58 acre) at 1221 Broadway up for sale.
3) Belmont Church selling .7 acre at SW corner of 16th Ave. South and Grand Ave. for $5 million.
4) Rudy Law site at 19th & Broadway is available again for at least $9 million by Atlanta's Regent Partners. Lot is already OK'd for 22 & 16 story towers by Metro. 
5) 814 Church St. (6 story, 50,000 sq. ft. art deco building) and 3 lots directly across the street sold for $13.75 million to Speedwagon Partners of Chicago.
6) Bravo Development buys 645 Division St. (former Meyers Carpet lot). No price announced. Can build up to 16 stories there according to code. 

NASHVILLE REMAINS HOT:

• Amazon bringing 1,500 new jobs to new 125,000 sq. ft. and 300,000 sq. ft. distribution centers at Brick Church Pike and Smyrna, respectively.
• SmileDirect Club adding 500 more jobs downtown (up to 1,700 total in Nashville since 2016)
• CKE (Hardees) is expanding again in Cool Springs with 47,000 sq. ft. and 145 additional jobs.
• Nashville largest year-over-year increase in hotel bookings of any U.S.city for 4th of July weekend according to Priceline.com.
• Nashville #11 on list of "50 Best Places to Live in America" by Newsweek.
• Airport sets another record of 1,418,316 passengers in May, up 8% over last year. New single day record of 25,795 on May 6th.
• Nashville at #5 nationally, and #41 worldwide in fastest-growing economies of 300 top markets in the world between 2014 and 2016 according to Brookings Institute and Oxford Economics.
• Nashville is one of the lowest costs for banking HQ's in Top 40 U.S. cities. AllianceBernstein will save 22% in overhead per year by being here as opposed to NYC. More financial institutions are looking at Nashville and a wave of relocations could continue according to Boyd Company of NJ.
• Franklin is 8th fastest-growing city in America.
• Williamson County in Top 10 in nation of % of new building permits according to SmartAsset.com at 35 permits per 1,000 homes.  Maury County at 33 per 1,000, and Davidson at 31 per 1,000. 
• Bridgestone Arena ranked #2 in U.S. and 10th in world in concert ticket sales from Oct. '17 to May '18, with 367,000+ sold. Over 1 million in attendance when counting all sporting events as well, according to Venues.com
• New York Times did a big feature on bachelorette parties in June 13th edition.
• Wall Street Journal did big feature on Nashville's growth in June 18th edition.
  
  Hope you can join us for great food and fun, lively discussion this Saturday morning!

 

[smeagolsfree]

At Luna Llena  waiting on you earlybirds. Come on down.

Everyine iswelcome.

Just now, smeagolsfree said:

At Luna Llena  waiting on you earlybirds. Come on down.

Everyone is welcome.

 

[markhollin]

We had 11 at our July Meet-Up today (attendance probably down a bit due to so many taking vacation during this holiday week).  Much lively discussion, however---there is just so much going on in our beloved city.  Hope that doesn't come across too "positive" for those who are homer-phobic.   ; )   I'm  joking, of course.    : )

A few had to leave early and were not in our photo:

 

[smeagolsfree]

FrankNash, smeagolsfree,predsboy, markhollins, lynn and not sure of screen name, john who has gone by many names, skyscrapergeek, eastsideurbanite,LAtn.

[East Side Urbanite]

Another strong session. Always good to see everybody.

WW

 

[Skyscrapergeek]

Great seeing everyone.   Lots of great info as always but my favorite part was when a newcomer to the group lead us on an imaginary journey to the great metropolis of Winslow, AZ.  Within 32 minutes of not actually being there, we became experts on their city, built environment and all aspects of life in a barren wasteland.  Frankly, I was underwhelmed by the lack of 1000 footers.  The food scene wasn’t any better as it was sorely lacking in Chicago style pizzarias and traditional Japanese Ramen shops.  

Entertainment?  Apparently their is not one Death Metal Club in the whole MSA, just saying.  

The locals?  Bunch of homers.

Some have suggested, and I tend to agree, that Winslow is 70 years behind in their aerospace program.  What’s up with that???   

Sadly, Winslow’s “It City” status was fleeting and came to an abrupt end when Glen Frey decided to stop standing on a corner there.   Another blow to the economy and tourism came when the city lost its beaches some 541 million years ago but not to worry Winslow, not even Charlotte has beaches.  

In thourough summation, I’d like to say that Nashville is better than Winslow in every conceivable way except for one.  Their massive hole in the ground is much larger than ours and soon...we won’t even have that.

Anyway, thanks for the trip new guy, I now feel more superior than I already did.

Sincerely,

Sarcasmgeek

Ps.  My sincere apologies if any Winslownians or those with absolutely no sense of humor were offended, disheartened, mortally wounded or trolled by reading this pure piece of fiction.  

[markhollin]

Our August Meet-Up will be this coming Saturday, Aug. 4th from 10 AM to noon at Luna Llena Taqueria (300 James Robertson Parkway, at the NW corner of JRP and 3rd Avenue North).  Some of the stories of the past month we'll be discussing will be: MLS Stadium/Fairgrounds development updates, Giarratana's Church St. Tower and land swaps with city, Asurion's North Gulch Campus details, Ragland's 20+ story Hyatt brand at Molloy & 2nd Ave. South coming into focus, Sixth South Apartment buildings back on construction schedule, Canopy by Hilton announced for The Gulch, Sullivan Tower implosion at Nashville Yards,  LifeStyle Communities SoBro renderings released (quite handsome), and much more. A full agenda will be posted on this thread in the next few days.

There are no events at Municipal Auditorium this Saturday, so no parking issues.  Plenty of free spaces directly behind the restaurant.  Looking forward to another great group!  : )

 

[smeagolsfree]

I am there like jelly on toast. Will be there one hour prior as always.

 

If you have not made a meet, please try to come out for a least one and introduce yourself.

[Bos2Nash]

Looking forward to it!

[markhollin]

Lots of new projects kept bubbling-up in July,  and hence there will be plenty of topics to discuss at this Saturday's (Aug. 4th) Dave Luna Urban Planet  Nashville Meet-Up.   A full agenda of discussion topics is below. Looking forward to another great crowd from 10 AM to noon a Luna Llena Taqueria (300 James Robertson Parkway, NW corner of JRP and 3rd Ave. North).  No events at Municipal Auditorium, so there will be plenty of free parking in the lot immediately behind the restaurant. 

AGENDA:

- Meet any new attendees, make introductions.

- Brief reports from anyone who visited another city and has an update on development they saw there.

- Items for discussion:

• Topped Out:  Hampton Inn Skyline (7 stories),  Dave Ramsey HQ (7 stories),  231 Public Square in Franklin (4 stories), Summit at White Bridge (4 stories),  Green Hills Mall expansion (3 stories)
• Crane up: Hyatt Regency at Nashville Yards, Vandy Tower, LifeStyle Communities SoBro 
• Crane down: Vandy Barnard Dorms (2)
• Total current tower crane count in Davidson County: 26 (Total for 2018 so far: 50)
• Rundown of projects under construction around Davidson County: Residential (75), Hotel (29), and Office (21) projects around Davidson County.  115 more being planned.  93 have opened in last 12 months.
• Tony Giarratana's Church St. Tower (around 60 stories, 650 ft.) getting closer as an amended land swap in place for the Church Street Pocket Park. Now the exchange at 301 James Robertson Parkway will be a similar sized pocket park, and Tony will help build the Homeless Service Center w/ 100 apartments at city-owned property at 505 2nd Ave. North, just north of the new Criminal Justice Center. 
• 908 Division (16 stories, 300 units, 420 capacity garage, street level retail) announced by Greystar Real Estate Partners for lot formerly home to Habitat For Humanity ReStore (1 story nondescript). Very handsome design that hugs odd counters of the intersection with 10th Ave. South.
• Ragland Hyatt hotel (20 stories, 252 rooms) will be Centric full-service brand. Molloy St. dogleg to finally be set straight at 2nd Ave. South. Will feature 8,000 sq. ft. of retail, a hotel restaurant and patio, with main entrance on Molloy. Address will be 200 Molloy. Finally have a massing render.
• Sullivan Tower implosion went well on July 21.  Rubble being cleared quickly. Demo of small warehouse at 9th Ave. North and Church complete, and the rest of the large LifeWay warehouse south of Church now razed.  Lots of infrastructure work for office and residential towers along 10th Ave. North being done now.
• Asurion HQ at Church St. Viaduct and 11th Ave. North will break ground in January. Completion set for 4th quarter of 2021. Will actually be 12 +13 story buildings with 550,000 sq. ft. of space, 9,000 sq. ft of retail at street level, parking garages for close to 1,900 vehicles. Cost is now up to $285 million.
• JW Marriott (35 stories, 500 rooms) at 8th Ave. South and Demonbreun is now open.  Rave reviews.
• Sixth South Apartments (10 stories, 297 units, 5,000 sq. ft. of retail, and garage) at 6th Ave. South and Lea  Ave. (just west of Olmstead and Hyatt House) back on schedule to start in December.
• Three Thirty Three building (5 stories, brick/glass, 11,000 sq. ft. of ground floor retail, 69,000 sq. ft. office space) will be newest addition to Market Street Enterprises’ Gulch catalogue.  At NW corner of 11th Ave. South and Pine.  Will also feature a pocket park with 12’ high x 42’ wide water wall park and stage. Start this fall, finish by late fall of 2019. 
• Canopy by Hilton announced for 900 Division  at current site of Yazoo Brewery (10 stories, 175 rooms, 5,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, rooftop bar).  Patel family of Tampa developing via Tara Investments of Charlotte.  Trying to woo Yazoo Brewery to have a taproom presence in the building. Early 2020 groundbreaking planned.  All equity is lined-up to secure loan.
• LifeStyle Community SoBro Phase I building images released (both 7 stories). Quite handsome. Crane up.
• N.E.S. announces plans for new power sub-station at 11th Ave. North and Cruch St. Viaduct, as well as a parking garage above it.  Will feature a block long, 2 story facade with art and lighting features to cover equipment.
• MLS stadium and Fairground redevelopment news: Sports Authority, Fair Board, and Metro Planning Commission all approve moving forward. More meetings over the next several weeks with more approvals needed. Soccer team ownership group agrees to pay at least $200,000 annual lease over 30 year  period.
• $144 million next phase of Airport Expansion underway. Will feature 6 story garage (3,000 more spaces), 64,000 sq. ft. of admin offices, base for eventual 16 story hotel Mercer Construction awarded the contract.
• The Manning (7 + 4 stories, 36 luxury condos) at 120 Woodmont Blvd. is finally getting underway after a decade of delays.
• NorthPoint Hospitality dual Marriott brand hotel project secures land at SW corner Church and Hayes St. for 1 acre project.  Phase I will be 204 room and should start soon.  Phase II will be 135 rooms.  Zoned for up to 15 stories. 
• Holiday Inn Express Metro Center (6 stories, about 125 rooms) at SW corner of Clay St. and 3rd Ave. North should break ground any day now.  Just granted grading permit.Supposed to be open by fall of 2019.Core Development mixed use (4 stories? 104 units, 11,000 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant/office space) on 1.48 acres at 1234/1236 Martin in WeHo. No renders yet. To break ground by year's end.
• Hamilton Ave. Apts. (9 three  story buildings with 37 units) planned for 1.93 acre site at 630-640 Hamilton Ave. in WeHo. Jan. '19 start.
• Eakin's 2920 Berry Hill Drive (3+4 stories, 24,000 sq. ft. of office space) underway. 
• 2165 Nolensville Pike (11 acres, 155 condos,  several 4 story buildings) to get underway soon w/ pre-fab units being shipped from Birmingham.
• Trinity & Edwin (5 acres, 170 units, several 4 story buildings) to get underway soon with same pre-fab units from Birmingham.
• 27th Ave. Townhomes (6 buildings, 3 stories, 29 units) for 511 27th Ave. North announced for McKissack Park/City Heights. 
• Mount Juliet Station North (2 four story buildings, 220 apts/condos, 1,500 sq. ft. of retail) approved by city commissioners. Next to Music City Star station.
• Silo Bend Phase II (103 condos, 49 cottages, /townhomes, and Silo House rehab of old lumber warehouse) underway along Centennial Blvd. in The Nations.
• Sky Nashville (two 6 story buildings with 114 condos, 29 free-standing single family homes, and 200 car garage) will finally get underway at SW corner of intersection of I-40 and I-440, just north of Charlotte Ave.
• Bellevue Ice Center/Community Center images released.  Construction underway.
• Element Hotel at 2825 Elm Hill Pike in Donelson announced. No size or render yet.
• Catholic Diocese 2.1 acre site at 2400 21st Ave. South has been bought by Linden Road Residential for $6 million. They plan upscale residential project that will include overhauling existing 2-3 story building and adding more structures.  Details to be released soon.
• Music City Center buys triangular .5 acre lot at 417 Lafayette for $3.85 million to use short term for marshalling site.  WeGo (new name for Nashville Metro Transit Authority) wants to work with MCC to eventually buy the whole block for a SoBro Transit Hub at 4th Ave. South and Lafayette.
• The historic National Baptist Convention Building (also known as the Morris Memorial Building) at 330 Charlotte Ave. is still being considered for possible redevelopment into a hotel.  That is the reason that the religious organization was opposed to the Homeless Service Center featuring 100 apartments being built on Tony Giarratana's lot just to the north at 301 James Robertson Blvd.
• Luke Bryan to open a theme bar at 1928-era bank building at 301 Broadway.
• Bond Collective co-working space to go in one-time Meridian St. United Methodist Church (built in 1936, 4 stories, 40,000 + sq. ft.) in Cleveland Park. Will feature small food/beverage operation, food hall or speakeasy, and another small retail space. Rehab to cost $2+ million.
• Russell St. Church of Christ Building (circa 1905) at 819 Russell St. to become 17 room boutique hotel and event space to open in  early 2019.
• A local grocer (possibly Turnip Truck) to convert 15,000 sq. ft. car parts store at 5001 Charlotte Ave. 
• Real Estate News: 1) Rusty Dunn selling 1107 Grundy in Gulch (1930 warehouse, 13,000 sq. ft.) for $6.5 million; 2) Emerald Sound Studio at 1033 16th Ave. South (.3 acre) on market for $3.4 million;  3) 1200 49th Ave. North in Nations caddy corner to Stocking 51 up for sale.  4.34 acres.  Next to Derek Bell’s new development as well. Currently home to Jackson Masonry, which plans to relocate to rural site.

NASHVILLE REMAINS HOT:

• Aetna to add 200 more jobs as they expand into larger regional offices in Berry Farms, adding to the 400 they already have.
• Dave Ramsey has hired 200 in last year, and will hire another 125 by year's end for total of 925 in new 7-story HQ in Berry Farms.
• RSM, one of the nation's leading accounting firms, is opening an office in Nashville by Sept. 1. 7,000 employees nationwide.  Offices in Birmingham and Charlotte have 107 and 223 employees, respectively, so Nashville branch will probably end up in that range.
• Nashville rate #1 Fastest Growing Tech Talent Sector in U.S. among small market cities growing 43% in last 5 years.  Now up to 29,000 tech workers.
• Nashville ranked #2 in Top 7 affordable cities for Tech Jobs by Livability.com.
• Airport sets another annual record w/ 14.9  million passengers in FY '17-'18. Also had new busiest month ever with 1,460,525 passengers in June. 
• Up until Oct. 2017, Nashville had never had more than 1 million hotel rooms booked in 1 month.  Now it's happened in March, May, and June so far this year according to STR Hotel Stats.
• "Chrisley Knows Best" family to open a downtown restaurant in 2019. No location announced yet. The cable TB show has 6 million viewers.
• "Bachelorette Weekend" will be a new CMT reality series based on the phenomenon in Nashville.
• Nashville area home sales up 3.8% in June over last year. Avg. home price is $314,900 (+7%) and condo is $221,850 (+11%).
• Nashville ranked #3 in nation in home appreciation values in 2017.  Homes sold for 51% more than what owners had originally paid. 
• Major League Baseball commissioner, Rob Manfred, said in press conference at the All Star Game that Nashville would be one of the 6 cities to be considered when MLB expands from 30 to 32 teams in the next 5 years or so.  Others named were Charlotte, Portland, Las Vegas, Montreal, and Vancouver.  This was completely voluntary on his part.  As far as we know, there is no local ownership group seeking to bring a franchise here at this  time.
  
  
  Hope you can join us for great food and fun, lively discussion this Saturday morning!

 

[Guest]

Will miss this meet... in Knoxville for the weekend

Edited August 1, 2018 by Guest

[volsfanwill]

I'm actually in town, so I'll make it. 

[dmillsphoto]

Always a good crowd and great discussion!

[markhollin]

Our next Urban Planet Nashville Meet-Up will be this coming Saturday, Sept. 1st, from 10 AM to noon at Luna Llena Taqueria (300 James Robertson Parkway, at the NW corner of JRP and 3rd Avenue North).   Some of the stories that we will be discussing include MLS Stadium/Fairgrounds updates, Giarratana's Paramount Tower/Church St. Pocket Park news, even newer Gulch Union and Broadwest renderings,  Belmont University's new Performing Arts Center, a 16 story mixed-use development proposed for 12 South & Hawkins,  the 1865-era tobacco warehouse off of Charlotte Ave. finally being converted into apartments, the possibility of a new tower on top of One Nashville Place's parking garage, and much more.  A full agenda will be posted on this thread in the next few days.

There are no events at Municipal Auditorium this Saturday, however, Live on the Green at Public Square Park opens their gates at 11 AM (first act isn't playing until 1:00 PM) so there may be some parking challenges in the neighborhood.  Hopefully there will be some free spots available behind the restaurant.  Looking forward to another great meeting.  Hope to see you there!   : )

[smeagolsfree]

I will be there early as usual. 

[RonCamp]

It's been a while, but I hope to attend this weekend. 

[MidTenn1]

Can't be there. I've got daughters, Granddaughters and future granddaughters, and one unknown gender future grandbaby staying at my house. 

[markhollin]

Gonna be another full list of new topics to discuss at this Saturday's (Sept. 1st) Dave Luna Urban Planet  Nashville Meet-Up.   A full agenda of discussion topics is below. Looking forward to another great crowd from 10 AM to noon at Luna Llena Taqueria (300 James Robertson Parkway, NW corner of JRP and 3rd Ave. North).  No events at Municipal Auditorium, however, the Live on the Green free concert at Public Square opens the gates at 11 AM, and first act goes on at 1 PM, so some of our free parking in the lot immediately behind the restaurant may be gone.  Just be aware that you might need to scout a few blocks around to find spot (or, you could pay at an area garage). 

AGENDA:

- Meet any new attendees, make introductions.

- Brief reports from anyone who visited another city and has an update on development they saw there.

Items for discussion:

• Topped out: Hilton Tru/Homewood Suites Dual-Brand Hotel (10 stories), Bridal Suites BnB (3 stories), Delaware & 28th Townhomes (3 stories), Endeavor City Heights (3 stories), Torbett & 27th North Townhomes (3 stories)
   
• Just underway: Yazoo Brewry in Madison; Hampton Inn Capitol View
   
• Crane Up: Graduate Hotel, Peabody Plaza
   
• Crane down: Hyatt House West End, Moxy SoBro, Holiday SoBro, Criminal Justice Center, 1200 Broadway/Endeavor (garage portion).
   
• Current Crane Count: 24
   
• Demo: Gulch Union site office tower, Illume (909 Hawkins)
   
• Core drilling: Joseph Hotel; Hampton Inn Capitol View
   
• Despite lots of venomous opposition from a certain group of people, the MLS Stadium and 10 acre development at the Fairgrounds continues to inch forward with several more positive votes and approvals from various councils. Nashville Soccer Club ownership has agreed to pay $200,000 per year in rent (which is $25,000 more than the racetrack does), as well as working with neighbors on a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) that will ensure $15.50 hourly minimum wage for people hired directly by the club, 20% affordable/workforce housing out of the 900+ residential units, a child care center, 4,000 sq. ft. micro incubator for artisans/small businesses,  etc.  3rd and final vote by Metro Council for rezoning legislation is Tuesday, Sept. 4th.  27 of 40 members must vote "yes" for it to pass. If that goes through, then everything should be fairly positive from there on out. There is also some talk about a car museum and NASCAR races returning.
   
• Tony Giarratana's  60 story residential tower on Church street will tentatively be called "The Paramount." Will feature 200 high-end units.  No parking provided. The pocket park land for the site is going to be reappraised as part of the deal now.  
   
• The Homeless Service Center and 100+ low income housing unit apt. building at 505 2nd Ave. North that Tony G. will build as part of the Church Street Park trade is to be 11 stories.  No renderings yet.
   
• Gulch Union (20 story office tower, 28 story residential tower, 16 story hotel) finished demo of Deja Vu site and several other nondescript 1 story buildings to make way for the initial 20 story structure.  New renderings released of the entire project.  Very handsome. 
   
• Nashville Yards releases more renderings of the 12.5 acre, $1 billion development.  The largest building will be the 32 story office tower, at 1000 Church Street that will be about the same height as the Snodgrass Tower 3 blocks to the NE. 
   
• Broadwest (21 story office tower w/ 500,000+ sq. ft. of space, and 34 story tower with 14 floors of hotel /245 rooms, 20 floors/220 luxury condos, 4 story125,000 sq. ft. retail/office space connecting the two along Hayes St., 1 acre plaza, 2,500 car garage underneath) to get underway within the next month. The office tower should be done by late 2020, and the 34 story structure buy mid-2021. Price tag is $500 million.
   
• 12-16 story mixed-use tower being proposed for the 2.7 acre site at 801 12th Ave. South (NW corner of 12th Ave. South and Hawkins).  It is currently home to Park Center Mental Health facility.  Just south of Gulch on the other side of I-40.  Meeting being held with community groups to seek approval.  May end up being 10-12 stories.  Crescent Communities and Pearl Street Partners working together on the concept.
   
• 3415  Murphy Rd. project at intersection with West End and I-440 will now be 16 stories (instead of 20). Still aiming fro 250,000 sq. ft. of office space, 175 room hotel, 30,000 sq. ft. of retail, and large garage.  Renderings released.
   
• Land deal finalized at $9.2 million for the 10 story Canopy by Hilton to be built on Yazoo Brewing site at 910 Division. Demo should begin in mid-2019.  No renderings for hotel yet.
   
• Unico is purchasing One Nashville Place (the R2D2 building) for $140 million.  The Seattle-based real estate giant may be interested in building  a hotel or residential tower on top of the 3 story attached garage that faces 4th Ave. North.
   
• The Olmstead in SoBro is going to become an Airbnb property, as it was just sold to Niido out of Miami for $90 million. Is causing quite a bit of consternation with those who signed long-term leases to live there.  Metro needs to start enforcing better regulations on these situations.
   
• Belmont University  will build a 1,700 seat state-of-the-art on the east side of Belmont Blvd. between Bernard and Compton Avenues.  Slated to open in fall of 2021.
   
• Vanderbilt Univ. continues to make strides towards their eventual 3-square-block Graduate School Village and dorms at NW corner of Broadway and 21st Ave. South. Will be razing the former Noshville Deli in coming weeks, and hope to relocate the 3 story, 108-year-old brick home at Broadway and 20th to anyone willing to have it. Temporarily the whole area will serve as surface parking.  No designs have been released for the longterm plan yet.
   
• Fisk University's 2 story Parrish Center for Career Planning & Development to break ground soon.
   
• 1030 Music Row will be the name of the 6 story, 130,000 sq. ft. office building Panottoni plans to on 16th Ave. South.  Will be all wood timber frame design.  
   
• 83 Freight (3 & 4 stories, 83 container unit apts.) at 429-431 Wingrove in WeHo (immediately to the NW of the fairgrounds) will start in September.
   
• 2021 Beech Ave. Townhomes (3 stories, 9 units) is underway near 8th Ave. and Wedgewood. Should be done in spring of 2019.
   
• Buntin Group advertising is targeting February for their relocation to the repurposed Tenn. Central Railway shed in the Railway District.  $3.5 million cost.
   
• Olympic 1 (5 stories, 51 units) is planned for 806 Olympic off 8th Ave. South. No renders yet.
   
• Ludlow Flats (5 & 3 stories, 68 units, rooftop amenities deck, 3,500 sq. ft. restaurant, $19 million) hopes to break ground in Nov. on SW corner of 10th Ave. North and Scovel St. in Historic Buena Vista.
   
• Taylor Place Phase II in Germantown (adaptive re-use of 75-year-old warehouse into 60,000 sq. ft. of office, restaurant, and bar, plus 2 story 18,000 sq. ft. office space at 602 Taylor, and another small building) is underway.
   
• Gateway 808 (7 stories, 330 units, restaurant) developers now looking for an additional partner.  My even sell the 3.3 acre site at Rosa Parks Blvd. and I-65/40. 
   
• 101 Athens Way (eleven 4 story buildings, 300 units) will go on 9.7 acres in Metro Center.
   
• The 4 story, 1865-era Tobacco Warehouse at 610 21st Ave. North is finally being repurposed with 34 apt. units.  Another new building on site will feature an additional 12 units. 
   
• The Lofts on 44th (4 stories, 2 buildings, 26 units) has broken ground at 941 44th Ave. North in The Nations.  
   
• Novel Nashville West (6 buildings, 400 apts. on 15 acres at 7025 Charlotte Pike) hopes to begin this fall.
   
• One Bellevue Place had its official Grand Opening last week.
   
• Boscobel II portion of Envision Cayce (three 2 story buildings, 20+  townhomes) with new renderings.
   
• McGavock Pike & Riverside Drive will have a 2.4 acre mixed-use development with 33 apts in 2 story modules, and the conversion of an existing 1 story structure for restaurants and shops.
   
• Bourbon Bar Steakhouse on the 34th floor of JW Marriott has its grand opening Sept. 10th.
   
• Nashville Underground at 105 Broadway will be adding a double deck bowling alley (3rd and 4th floors).  Another family-friendly entertainment option for downtown.  Need more of these.
   
• Gino's East Chicago styled deep dish pizza should be open in early 2019 in fully remodeled space at 311 3rd Ave. South (formerly Sole Mio).
   
• Hamilton Springs train station built around mixed-use developments just opened in Lebanon.  The 7th stop of the Music City Star line.
   
• The $30 million transit-oriented development around the Donelson Station on Music City Star line was squashed by Metro Council. Not sure if it can be restructured or if the whole thing is dead now.
   
• MSM Hotel Developers buying 1.7 acres for $3.8 million at 7106 Moores Lane in Cool Springs. Brand, size, etc. not known yet.
   
• Carothers Crossing West is slated for 22 acres at SW corner of Carothers Pkwy and LibertyPike.  Four 5 story buildings with 340 apts, 35,000 sq. ft. of retail, 24,000 sq. ft. of office, a restaurant, and bank are all planned. 
   
• 801 Crescent Center Drive office park in Cool Springs to add 21,000 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant space in parking lot at center of the 5 building complex.
   
• Gallatin will get a 253 home/284 apt. complex to be called Westfield.
   
• Real Estate News: 1) The Tennessean is relocating to 2.5 upper floors of Palmer Plaza; 2) Gerst House property at 301 Woodland St. (.7 acre) is up for sale; 3) Bravo Development buys the former Myers Carpet site (1.3 acres at 645 Division) for $8.9 million. No announcement on plan yet; 4) Quarter acre lot at 5507-5511 Centennial Blvd. in The Nations for sale at $1.5 million (directly across from new Silo Bend development).
  
  NASHVILLE STAYS HOT:
   
• Tennessee had biggest year in tourism ever in 2017 with $20.7 billion. Nashville made up 6.5 billion of that, up 8.5% over 2016.
   
• Airport set another record with 1,446,000 passengers in July, up 11% over last year.  Cargo also up 20% over July of '17.
   
• Airport adds Sun Country Airlines with 6 more destinations.  Now up to 15 airlines now.
   
• Nashville ranked "Fastest Growing Metro in Terms of Economy in U.S. from 16-'17" according to headlightdata.com
   
• Tennessee ranked #4 state in nation in growth of women-owned businesses since 2007, a 68% increase according to American Express.
   
• DavidsonCounty wage growth up 6% over last year (5th best county in nation) according to Federal Bureau of Labor Stats.  Employment up 2.7%, one of highest gains in nation.
   
• Tennessee ranked #2 in nation of "Friendliest Cities to Small Business" according to Thumbtack.com
   
• Nashville ranked #5 of Top Ten Boomtowns in U.S. by MagnifyMoney.com
   
• Nashville ranked #11 "Best Places to Live" of Top 125 cities in USA by U.S. News & World Report.
   
• Phillips announces that instead of 800 jobs with their relocation here, wt will be over 1,000 in the next two years.
   
• Lyft had goal of 400 employees in their national call center HQ in Nashville when they started in 2015. Now up to 750.
   
• Vanderbilt Hospital ranked #17 Best Hospital in America (out of 5,000 studied) by U.S. News & World Report.
   
• Franklin Main Street named one of "The 30 Best Main Streets in Small Town America" by Architectural Digest.
   
• Franklin ranked #4 Best Place to Live in America by Time.com
   
• Williamson County ranked #5 Happiest County in America by SmartAsset.com
   
• Evolution of 200'+ tall buildings in Nashville: 
  1950's: 1 
  1960's: 3 
  1970's: 5
  1980's: 7
  1990's: 2
  2000's: 3
  2010's: 19 (includes those currently u.c. that should be topped out by end of 2010. 
  
  So, from 1957 to 2009, there were 20 buildings erected of 200' or taller.  And in this decade, there have been 19.
  
  Hope you can join us for another Meet-Up full of lively and fun discussion!  : )