Not defending it by any stretch. I too think it is wretched. But fortunately, it will be covered up by two other bland box hotel towers. So this block might be considered a hotel "ghetto". Even the developer admits this one costs half the amount per room as the JWM and Westin across the street.

The Tennessean reported that Mt. Juliet and the Gulch will get a Staybridge Suites hotel. The also describe Staybridge as being an upscale extended stay brand. I've stayed at a Staybridge Suites a couple of times and I wouldn't call them upscale. Their suites are like studio apartments with basic furniture and finishes. Maybe they have different design elements depending on their locations. But the majority I've seen and the ones I've stayed in look more like suburban office park hotels or airport corridor style properties. Staybridge is similar to a Candlewood Suites Hotel like the one on Elm Hill Pike but with a nicer facade.

I noticed on their website that they do have properties in NYC and Atlanta-Buckhead that have a different architectural style than the more suburban style properties. However, given what I saw for the Austin and Dallas area properties, I'm concerned that the Gulch will end up with a property that doesn't fit or enhance the area.

I think Staybridge is a good fit for Mt. Juliet. I'm not sold on them being in the Gulch until I see what their plans are for the building.

Definitely getting a NYC 432 Park Ave vibe from the building. Sheer simplicity but the lighting.

I prepared a graph showing relative heights of some selected buildings proposed or under construction and compared them to a few selected existing buildings.

https://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/a...8e80a5bb5f460f

I've seen the 432 Park Ave building many times and even though it is a simple design it makes a statement in the crowded NYC skyline because of how tall and slender it is. I don't see this Cambria design making much of an impact on Nashville's skyline unless you are driving by it. If you can see the lighting detail from a distance then it might have a bit of an impact.

I'm still waiting on a developer to design something that is going to be iconic for Nashville. We are still primarily seeing boxes. Even if you design a box you can at least place some type of architectural feature on top of it. Imagine Atlanta's skyline without the architectural elements found on several buildings stretching from downtown to mid-town. Imagine NYC without the crowns on the Empire State and Chrysler buildings among others. Right now Nashville has the batman building and with all the new construction you'd think someone would want to do something iconic. even Charlotte has buildings that give their skyline some interest. For that matter even Mobile, AL.

Where could a developer building 50+ stories in Nashville?
 

So, with all the development taking place in Nashville it seems most of the development is in the 10-30 story range in terms of high rises. When you consider most of the development is in SoBro, The Gulch and Midtown, you have to ask, is Nashville running out of potential sites for a 50+ story building?

Other than the area between I-40 and the Broadway/West End split, I don't see any developer getting approval for anything over 30 stories in Midtown. The Gulch may get a 38 story high rise, but that was a battle and going any taller than that will certainly draw more debate. SoBro, is probably the most likely location for a 50+ story building, but most of the recent announcements have been mid-rise buildings. The only other area I see within downtown would be the old Lifeway Campus property. One could also consider the east bank of the Cumberland. But that has been so slow to development it's not likely that any developer would consider taking that kind of risk until others show an interest in the area for potential office. hotel and residential development.

Has Nashville stifled the prospect of anyone building over 50 stories?

No. Not even close. Look at an aerial map. There are TONS of undeveloped lots in the core.

Every surface lot and every lowrise warehouse (talking the crappy modern ones, not the historic warehouses) is an opportunity for higher density.

Technically, yes, there are a finite number of sites that it would be possible to build 50+ stories....but there are a lot of them. The real question is whether the property owners will sell.

A 16-story W Hotel and Residences has been announced for The Gulch on the site where Griffin Plaza was previously proposed. The concept plan goes before the MDHA for approval tomorrow.

http://www.nashvillepost.com/busines...for-gulch-spot

https://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/u...709d702b4b.jpg

https://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/u...b9373914fe.JPG

https://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/u...74e259ca68.JPG

A little bit of context as to how the 'W' fits in the Gulch...(the one in the middle)...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps5tqbfdbp.jpg

And how the Gulch relates to the rest of the City...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psoneggnod.jpg

:thrasher:

Welcome to Nashville... (The embed feature is not working, clink on link)

https://youtu.be/8A__mpnWBT8

Rezoning eyed for land near the Nations
 

The Tennessean reported that a family which owns 10.2 acres of land in the Nations to be rezoned to fit in with a massive mixed-use development planned for the property next to theirs. See article in the link... http://www.tennessean.com/story/mone...ions/82177838/

When I look at the picture included in the article I hope that the massive mixed-use project will include buildings from 10 to maybe even 20 stories. It would be an ideal way to redevelop the area, give potential residents a view of downtown and create density while maintaining an open feel. A Town Center type development would be ideal for that property. I also see it as a means for Nashville to create a western skyline of sorts. The Nations Town Center could be just what the area needs.

This is the Reston Town Center in Northern Virginia outside of Washington, DC. I used to work in the there and it was amazing how the created such a miniature urban feel for both workers and residents in the area without being overly massive. There are some views of the Reston Town Center that makes it appear much larger than what it is. But it's quite walk-able and the hold quite a few events year round to make it a gathering place.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i...CdRBunLC1PHqJg

Google Reston Town Center Photos to see more. To me this is what Metro Center in Nashville should've been 20+ years ago. Still could be. But I hope the developers involved the Nations area are considering something similar.

A couple of new renderings for the above mentioned W Hotel to be built in the Gulch!

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pswf1kaljj.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psdi2buhkk.jpg

:thrasher:

Those are from an architect that wasn't chosen for the project. I'm quite glad, because this is giving me "suburban Atlanta office park realness" and it'd be fairly underwhelming for the residential component to be in a building the looks like that rendering.

Hopefully Dallas' HKS can make some magic.

Agreed. It's not an unappealing design, but we can certainly do better for such a high profile spot in what is supposed to be our most 'cutting edge and sophisticated' neighborhood.

I also hope they just put the ballroom inside the tower somewhere instead of taking up that prime corner spot for one.

Yeah, the W should be a lot more unique and creative. I've always felt that the Gulch and SoBro should be where architects push the boundaries for Nashville design and not just develop common replicas that are repeated all across the country. The W should push the envelop with their design.

Time for an update of all that's going on, development-wise in Nashville. Sorry, no construction pictures. I will try to get some this week.

Under Construction

The 505 CST downtown (45 stories, 543 ft) Under construction, but still below street level.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pstulpqnjs.jpg

The 30 story, 460 ft Bridgestone Americas tower in SoBro. Five floors up!

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psjcdtwqtc.jpg

The 34 story SoBro Apartments in SoBro! About 25+ floors up.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psfdb65541.jpg

The 12 story Thompson Hotel in the Gulch; topped out.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pss8mxdm5c.jpg

The 19 story, Cambria Suites Hotel in Sobro. Excavation underway.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psvueffxmh.jpg

The 16 story, 257' HCA Parallon Division HQ in the North Gulch Capiton View project. Topped out.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps25137756.jpg

The 13 floor Aertson Apartments with 17 story Kimpton Hotel in Midtown across from Vanderbilt.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps522107fb.jpg

The 15 story, 1201 Demonbruen near completion.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psglf4ihpp.jpg

The 19 story, M Residence in MidTown. Up to 3 floors already.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psnaojxt8w.jpg

222 2nd Avenue, to be 25 stories and 305' in SoBro across from Riverfront Park West Bank.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psz5tlr94c.png

The 25 story, 289' Skyhouse Apartments in Midtown. Up to 20 floors.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psbz5x7zmo.jpg

The Westin Hotel. 27 stories, 327 ft, topped out.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pse74fidly.jpg

The 11 story, Noel Place Hotel expansion downtown

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psh2hkvh5g.png

Proposed

The 10 story, Lifeway HQ in the Capitol View development in the North Gulch. To begin very soon.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psx3zqqxyn.jpg

The 20+ story Joseph Hotel in SoBro. Start TBD.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psi8yrbhde.jpg

The 16 story 'W' Hotel in the Gulch. Preliminary approvals being sought.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps0iougbmc.jpg

A 22 story, Tri-brand Marriott in SoBro. Start date soon?

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps77kpsyyb.jpg

The 5th+ development downtown on the former convention center site. Scheduled to begin this year.

The 34 story office building.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pscurfmwq1.jpg

And the 30+ story apartment building.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psoovnfrub.jpg

The Buckingham Apartments in the Gulch; 38 stories 'Cough' 42 'cough'. Will probably begin in early 2017.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psdjilga9j.jpg

The 12 story, 250 +/-, Vandy/Monroe Carroll Childrens Hospital expansion. To start soon.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps3s7hqyow.jpg

The 14 story, Holiday Inn in SoBro. Start to be announced.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps7epvzs2d.jpg

Virgin Hotel to be redesigned. Sir Richard Branson is personally involved.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps2nxj23kx.jpg

The 10 story Utopia Hotel expansion and preservation, downtown.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps92kfbxep.jpg



Just completed

The 19 story Element on the Music Row Roundabout;

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pspyjj7kms.jpg

The 10 story Earl Swenson HQ in the Gulch.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psmqn5ig7f.jpg

Holy Cow!! I step out for lunch and this happens...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psqmahuc5e.jpg

From the Tennessean..

Very impressive!

I love seeing what is going on in Nashville! It's very exciting. And, I'm eager to see what the final design for the W and Virgin are going to look like.

WOW!!!!!!!!!! Jesus tap dancing Christ that is beautiful! This came out of nowhere!!!! Hilarious how it puts the Hines Tower next to it to complete shame, and those developers were supposedly so proud of it.

What flag could possibly go on this? Well, for 5 stars, there aren't many candidates that come to mind that aren't building here, just not 5-star level. Maybe Ritz Carlton, because they were looking at Nashville heavily a few years back and even before that was potential for the Hilton downtown to have been a Ritz instead.