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Omni officials are now offering a video (view here via YouTube) that suggests the building's exterior — originally and seemingly not much more than a modernist box with square green-tinted windows — might actually be decent. The structure actually shows some fairly interesting forms, particularly on its south wall (see middle image). To date, we have seen the south wall — and in a limited fashion — only in the top rendering. The middle image shows clearly a glass strip running along the top three floors that right-angles down the right side of the tower. Of note, this side of the tower (which fronts KVB) shows a well-defined base, mid-section and cap. I'm still not a fan of the square windows as they remind me of the windows of the Davy Crockett Building (bottom image) located on James Robertson Parkway on the central business district's northern fringe. It's fair to say Omni will not rank among Nashville's five best tall buildings but it should be a solid addition to the both the skyline and the streetscape.
From what I can see when driving, or on the Music City Center website construction cam, the Omni is rising very rapidly. How tall will it be compared to other buildings nearby such as the Pinnacle Tower, Encore condo and Renaissance Hotel?
ReplyDeleteWith 750 hotel rooms, the Omni will surely be one of downtown's largest hotels. How does it compare in size, and in height, to the Renaissance Hotel?
Any idea what is going into the area adjoining the Country Music Hall of Fame? Will that be the hotel itself, or an extension of the museum?
It's exciting to see all the development around Music City Center which is such an iconic building for downtown Nashville. I certainly hope the other high rise projects planned for the area materialize soon.
Nashville is on a roll
Davis
Saw the best comment about the new hotel... it really does look like a Holiday Inn, and not in a good way. Really ugly.
ReplyDeleteDavis, the Omni will not be much taller than it is now... 21 floors (I think 4 to go), which will put it on par with the thin apartment building nearby (called Encore). It's really unfortunate that this building will be so short and bland (yes, William is correct in comparing it to that state office building). Obviously, this was a missed opportunity to erect something striking at that prominent place.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the Music City Center is quite stunning, but only from the Demonbreun and 5th Avenue sides. With the Omni and the shopping mall blandness on the Korea Veterans Blvd side, there will have to be some very "activating" buildings put up across that street if KVB is to ever live up to its potential. I don't have a lot of hope however.
Friends,
ReplyDeleteOmni is supposed to be about 280 feet tall. By comparison, Encore is about 220 feet at its tallest point. Omni will have 21 floors of usable space and the equivalent of three floors for mechanical operation. It's on the 15th floor now.
One positive hope for Omni (for those who will not like its overall design) might be at street level, particularly along Fifth. The activation and visual attractiveness could be decent.
WW
The Omni's design reminds me a bit of the Hutton Hotel on West End Ave. -- not great, but certainly not horrible.
ReplyDeleteI'm very impressed with the Music City Center. It's striking in design and is just HUGE!
The Omni Hotel is looking good. Love the design of the Music City Center convention complex.
ReplyDeleteThe missed opportunity along 4th Avenue South and the failure to engage the street at all is a tragedy. 800' of loading docks, dumpsters, vault rooms and a garage entrance break the spirt of the Downtown Code and Boulevard Drsign Guidelines. 5th should be quite nice. Even KVB is tough from the marketing plans, it appears the only entrances to the restaurants are through the hotel.
ReplyDeleteA-Mous 8:38 AM, I originally was OK with the Hutton, then grew to dislike it and now I'm cool with it again. Kind of odd, I admit. Not a great building and I preferred the quirky previous iteration (my father once worked in what was called the 1808 Building). But the Hutton Hotel design is fine.
ReplyDeleteA-Mous 7:30 PM. I hope your take on the Omni's Fourth Avenue side is proved incorrect but, sadly, I think you might be right. I will reserve judgment but do have concerns. In contrast, the KVB and Fifth Avenue sides should be acceptable (though some are worried about the motor court on the KVB face).
WW
I think the Omni Hotel will be a great addition to downtown. I like the renderings of the building. If it were too flashy in design, it would conflict with the unique and beautiful design of the convention center. This design is solid and modern and it works well with the curves of the convention center. I'm sure this hotel will be very successful.
ReplyDeleteYou just posted exactly my same opinion that I have posted before on this blog and others. The Omni should attempt to compete with the Convention Center. The minimalist style of Omni is appropriate for its surroundings. Not to mention, its an "Omni", not a W or Westin, or any other hip and trendy hotel. The style of the building is in-line with the personality of the company. It's meant to be a little subdued.
DeleteWilliam is correct in stating the street level will be more dynamic. Just drive along Demonbreum and look down 4th and 5th! Impressive!! This is by far some of the more impressive set of blocks in the south.
Sorry...my intention was to state the Omni should "NOT" attempt to compete with the MCC.
DeleteI was in Nashville over the Labor Day weekend and as usual had a nice time with family and friends. I'm loving the convention center design. It is quite unique and it's massive. As I was driving around the SoBro area I was just imagining how the area could look if it's developed to support high density living via highrise condos and apartments and of course more hotels, restaurants, shopping and entertainment venues. I almost wish that someone would have thought or will think to build a complex like Pentagon City in Arlington, VA near the Pentagon. It's a multi-level mall that is anchored by a Ritz Carlton Hotel and there are nearby Condo buildings and apartment buildings. There is also the addition of what's called Pentagon Row which has more shopping, apartments and restaurants, fitness and Harris Teeter. A complex similar to that would also add to the existing townhomes and apartments that are in the SoBro area and even lend itself to Rolling Mill Hill area. Realistically all of that should be treated as one unified area. The next area that would need to be addressed is across LaFayette. The area bound by I-265, LaFayette and 8th Ave South, really needs to be incorporated into the growth of SoBro as complimentary area. As a matter of fact that land could make good use for a wonderful entertainment venue for small theater shows and concerts.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I love the new park on the east bank near LP Field. The sad part is that Nashvillians seem to know nothing about it as there were few people using it. I hope there are plans to rid that area of the junk yard and the industrial warehouses leading to Shelby Park and replace it with townhouses, apartments, condo's, shopping and dinning. Otherwise that park will always be under utilized.
There is lot of articles on the web about this. But I like yours more, although i found one that’s more descriptive.
ReplyDelete