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.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Creating Places: 12South newcomer

Hill Realty and Southeast Venture are joining forces to develop this building, slated to rise next to 12South Taproom.

I like it. Has a well defined base, midsection and cap. Nice forms, color and materials (looks to be charcoal brick, panels or tiles of some sort, lots of glass and some metal). Very contemporary. Nice.

Of note, Southeast Venture designed Bell Midtown (formerly 1700 Midtown), an industrial-themed apartment building on State Street. Most people I've talked to regarding Bell Midtown either thoroughly like or dislike its design. Place me in the camp of the former. I predict Southeast Venture will do well with the unnamed 12South structure.

4 comments:

  1. Another fine addition to the 12 South Corridor.

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  2. i am excited 12th South is getting a building of this mass and size. As well as it's purpose. It should be successful. Having said that, there is something about Southeast Venture projects that I particularly do not like. This project, Bell or 1700, and the newest building in Bedford Commons all have details that feel out of proportion, clunky, and unattractive. While I like the black and white color scheme, the windows will never appear that blue. So, the actual building palette will appear to be darker than the rendering. The shading device does not appear to be really functional. And something about the circulation tower feels a bit "blocky". Not to mention, I hate when text is stacked for signage.

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