Creating Places: 2012 Highlights, Part I

As I wind down the weekend — and decompress from the energy expenditure I experienced while watching Django Unchained earlier today — I'll offer a few 2012 highlights  (listed in no particular order) regarding Nashville's manmade environment.

*  Various additions and updates were finalized on multiple Midtown buildings located on Broadway and Division Street between 17th and 20th avenues. The most significant project, obviously, was the Home 2Suites. But other buildings saw paint jobs (Hampton Inn, Aloft Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott), a video screen (the First Bank Building), a razing (the Church's Chicken building), an addition (Red Door Midtown) and facelifts (the buildings home to Soulshine Pizza, Hattie B's and Gigi's Cupcakes). This geographically small yet very important area likely saw more activity than any other single node within a Nashville urban district.

* Ellison 23 took full shape. The more I take note of this building, the more excited I get about seeing it finished. The brick color and detailing, the proportionality, how it plays off The Mayfair, etc., are all stellar. This is a potentially outstanding new addition. Likewise, I'm almost as pumped about Hillsboro Row, the three-story residential building currently being constructed at Wedgewood and 17th avenues.

* Ground was broken on no fewer than 15 projects. One in particular, Vanderbilt University's Kissam College Halls, has literally blasted out of the ground since June, in the process redefining the 21st and West End avenues intersection.

* The roundabout at Eighth, Lafayette and KVB  and the 28th/31st Avenue Connector opened.

* HCA divisions Parallon and SCRI announced they are taking space in West End Summit.

More to follow ...