It is great discovering new projects around town that really seem successful across all platforms. fAd_writer previously wrote about the WO Smith Music Center, but today’s post is about another worthy rehab project: 701 Porter (or 715 Porter...I’m unclear as to the official name).
I had originally planned to do a post on Nashville’s roadway deathtraps. A few short months ago, the intersection of Eastland and Porter was near the top of my list. Eastland traffic traveling away from Gallatin Pike could continue on to Eastland or swing around to Porter without a need to stop. The brave souls on Eastland headed back towards town had to stop and guess which direction oncoming traffic was going and pray to avoid a head-on collision: really poor traffic planning.
Imagine my surprise the other week as I traveled down Eastland when I was suddenly greeted with a new stop sign. As it turns out, the new traffic stop was a part of a larger masterplan for 701 Porter: a mixed-used development occurring on Porter and Eastland. Here is what I like about this project.
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| 701 Porter |
I had originally planned to do a post on Nashville’s roadway deathtraps. A few short months ago, the intersection of Eastland and Porter was near the top of my list. Eastland traffic traveling away from Gallatin Pike could continue on to Eastland or swing around to Porter without a need to stop. The brave souls on Eastland headed back towards town had to stop and guess which direction oncoming traffic was going and pray to avoid a head-on collision: really poor traffic planning.
Imagine my surprise the other week as I traveled down Eastland when I was suddenly greeted with a new stop sign. As it turns out, the new traffic stop was a part of a larger masterplan for 701 Porter: a mixed-used development occurring on Porter and Eastland. Here is what I like about this project.
The Owner:
The owner is Urban Housing Solutions. In the past, UHS has been responsible for finding housing for disadvantaged people (typically homeless). This particular project is primarily to benefit the deaf and hard of hearing: truly a noble purpose. To find out more about Urban Housing Solutions, visit their website http://urbanhousingsolutions.org/ .
The Architect:
The architect is a fellow named John TeSelle. A cursory glance at his website shows some impressive work http://jt-architecture.com/ most of which is Middle Tennessee work. His design sensibilities are great, but it is his willingness to work towards a better design at all costs that I find most alluring. Typical architect egos often hinder their own design, but that is not the case here. UHS hired additional design help from John Dickinson (a deaf architect) of Winter & Company as well as Atelier2. The latter is the husband and wife team of Mahesh Neelakantan and Parvathi Nampoothiri (I have had the pleasure with working with Mahesh earlier in our careers: truly a design talent). I am glad UHS put forth the effort to receive enough design input, and I am glad that John TeSelle was open to receive other ideas for a complete and collaborative design. I think this was crucial in the success of the project.
The Design:
There are several things I like about the design so far (still under construction).
- Building reuse
The original building was constructed in the 70s, but I doubt it has ever seen as much life and activity that this designs promises. As you can see, it was not much to write home about. Ditching the metal mansard roof was certainly an improvement and going with a monochromatic gray on the brick helps bring some cohesiveness across the retail stores.
The owner is Urban Housing Solutions. In the past, UHS has been responsible for finding housing for disadvantaged people (typically homeless). This particular project is primarily to benefit the deaf and hard of hearing: truly a noble purpose. To find out more about Urban Housing Solutions, visit their website http://urbanhousingsolutions.org/ .
The Architect:
The architect is a fellow named John TeSelle. A cursory glance at his website shows some impressive work http://jt-architecture.com/ most of which is Middle Tennessee work. His design sensibilities are great, but it is his willingness to work towards a better design at all costs that I find most alluring. Typical architect egos often hinder their own design, but that is not the case here. UHS hired additional design help from John Dickinson (a deaf architect) of Winter & Company as well as Atelier2. The latter is the husband and wife team of Mahesh Neelakantan and Parvathi Nampoothiri (I have had the pleasure with working with Mahesh earlier in our careers: truly a design talent). I am glad UHS put forth the effort to receive enough design input, and I am glad that John TeSelle was open to receive other ideas for a complete and collaborative design. I think this was crucial in the success of the project.
The Design:
There are several things I like about the design so far (still under construction).
- Building reuse
The original building was constructed in the 70s, but I doubt it has ever seen as much life and activity that this designs promises. As you can see, it was not much to write home about. Ditching the metal mansard roof was certainly an improvement and going with a monochromatic gray on the brick helps bring some cohesiveness across the retail stores.
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| Existing Condition |
- Use of new materials
At the center of this building, metal, brick, and wood are pieced together seamlessly giving this project a clear face. I also appreciate the proportions of said materials. The layering and the clear separation help these pieces speak for themselves and truly creates a sense of ‘place'.
At the center of this building, metal, brick, and wood are pieced together seamlessly giving this project a clear face. I also appreciate the proportions of said materials. The layering and the clear separation help these pieces speak for themselves and truly creates a sense of ‘place'.
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| Obviously, still under construction |
- Signage
Many state that large signage is an overplayed design gimmick. I like the look most of the time as it is practical for the automobile driver going 40 mph down the road. Thumbs up, if you ask me. I also appreciate the signage above the individual retail units. The horizontal emphasis is appropriate for this area and adds a fun level of detail and intimacy to the pedestrians entering individual stores.
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| Large '715 Porter' signage - jury is still out on the name of this project |
The Occupants:
According to the UHS, the occupants so far are:
--Cooper's on Porter
--BMerin salon
--The Almond Tree Bakery
--Massage East
--Sloss Fine Woodworking
--Nashville Guitar Repair
--Made
--Melted Memory
--Montessori East
I am probably most excited about Cooper’s on Porter for a couple of reasons. The first is that I hope Cooper’s brings a bar setting that is rare on the east side of town (non-smoking with a large beer selection - Village Pub is close, for sure). The second reason for my excitement is that Cooper’s proudly sports an enormous patio seating area that reaches out towards the corner of Porter and Eastland (where the treacherous intersection used to be). This patio will surely activate this corner and help bring 701 Porter to the intersection.
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| Patio overlooking the intersection |
Solid project all around. I am excited to see its completion.
-faD_writer
