Creating Places: A Citizen Observer's Look at Nashville's Built Environment


Writer's Note: William Williams' interest in the manmade environment dates to 1970, at which point the then-young Williams started a collection of postcards of city skylines. The collection now numbers 1,000-plus cards. Among the writer's specific interests are exterior building design, city district planning, demographics, signage, mixed-use development, mass transit and green/sustainable construction and living. Williams began his Creating Places column with The City Paper in February 2005. The column in its original form was discontinued in September 2008 and reinvented via this blog in November 2008. Creating Places can be found on the home page of the website of The City Paper, at which Williams has worked in various capacities since October 2000.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Creating Places: Midtown Development Update

The Bid Clerk site offers info that seemingly is for the proposed mixed-use development the Patels are doing at 18th and West End avenues. The building will feature two specialty Marriott hotels and restaurant, retail and office space.

Dr. Anil Patel is a highly respected businessman who did his fellowship at Vanderbilt. He is a guest lecturer at VU's Owen School, has a private practice in gastroenterology and is chairman of the board at Civic Bank and Trust (which once operated a branch from the site). Mr. Patel and his wife own five hotels in Clarksville and are experienced and savvy business people. Earlier this year, I exchanged an email with the wife (Divya) and she said at the time that the plan was to begin work in the fall. The project appears on schedule.

This should be a strong mixed-use product that will add building density and a diversity of commercial use for Midtown. No doubt, if Midtown is not destined to land West End Summit any time soon, this is the next best development for the district.
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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 30, 2010 at 12:33 PM

    Im glad to hear this project is moving along. I just hope the design of the buildings will complement the clean, modern aesthetic that 18th and West End is creating. The 1720 Building and the Hutton Hotel may be utilized as "book-ends" that hold the Bid Clerk site in place.

    I hope the Marriott hotels are the Edition Hotels (www.editionhotels.com) or a similar product. With Hotel Indigo and Hutton Hotel, it would be fitting for a smaller boutique hotel to be placed.

    Also, The Golden Dragon needs to do some renovations to the fabulous mid-century building they have....then it would be a killer block!

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  2. William WilliamsAugust 30, 2010 at 11:39 PM

    Anonymous,

    All points well made. My father worked in the 1808 Building (now the Hutton Hotel) for years. Also, I ate at The Golden Dragon just about once a week from 1998 to 2009. So I have an affinity for the 18th and West End intersection. I'm optimistic the design the Patels choose will be of quality and attractiveness.

    WW

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  3. SkyscraperGeekSeptember 1, 2010 at 12:10 PM

    Mr. Williams,

    Very good news! I was briefly back in town for a couple days last week and was downright giddy to see all the CC cranes in the air. Reminded me of the "good ole days".

    Nothing of vertical construction to report from the land of blue hair and Ben Gay. I'd even settle for a twenty story hole filled with water. I tell ya, I just didn't know how good I had it.

    Hope to see you around the holidays. Onward and UPward!

    Geek

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  4. William WilliamsSeptember 2, 2010 at 10:24 PM

    S-Geek,

    Yes, the cranes look imposing. Six tower cranes and a few ground cranes. Quite something. Omni will build the anchor hotel. Should be about 350-400 feet, 450 if we're lucky.

    We have our monthly U-Planet meet this Saturday at Casablanca. Word has it Dave will be there. I'll send your best. And give the lovely lass my regards.

    You are both missed.

    WW

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