Municipalities and their residents can be fickle and unpredictable in their attitudes toward new construction. Objections about a building’s height or jobsite’s noise and traffic have been known to delay, and even halt, projects, which is why developers and AEC teams spend more time these days on community outreach.
A case in point can be found is Nashville, Tenn., one of the country’s hotter real estate markets, where developers are looking to plant their flags and make an impression. Indianapolis-based Buckingham Cos., a development and property management company, has proposed building a 38-story, 300,000-sf residential skyscraper that would be 14 stories higher than current zoning allows.
Buckingham and its architect, New York-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, are trying to convince local officials and neighbors that a taller, narrower high rise would be better than a shorter building with the same square footage. Why? Because it would block less sunlight on pools of surrounding residential buildings, such as Terrazzo, a condo-office building next door to the half-acre parking lot on which Buckingham wants to erect its tower.
The Nashville Business Journal reports that the developer presented “sunlight studies” as part of its sales pitch to city officials during a Sept. 1 meeting. That same afternoon, the developer met with residents of several high rises near the proposed project, to ensure them that the new building wouldn’t unduly impede their balcony views or swimming experiences.
(The tire maker Bridgestone, which is currently building its U.S. headquarters in Nashville, had to deal with similar issues with residents living in a shorter condo building next door to its proposed tower.)
The design review committee of Nashville’s Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency has already given its unanimous conceptual approval to Buckingham’s tower, pending an approval by the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals, which is scheduled to address the tower’s height variance request on Sept. 17. Doug Sloan, acting executive director of Nashville’s planning department, has also expressed concern about the materials this building will use and how it will look from the highway.
If all goes as planned, Buckingham and its building team expect to start construction on the 200-plus-room tower next year, and open the building by 2018.
However, developers are likely to find themselves playing defense in the future, as long as they keep trying to squeeze just one more building onto the tiniest of desirable urban spaces. In Chicago, BJB Partners, which owns an apartment building at Millennium Park Plaza, has proposed a 41-story residential/hotel tower on a plot of land that, according to Crain’s Chicago Business, is “smaller than a tennis court.” And CCTV America last month reported on the trend toward “skinny” luxury residential skyscrapers in New York, including one under construction that’s less than 60 feet wide.
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Jul 15, 2016
Zaha Hadid designs geometric flower-shaped tower for sustainable Qatar city
The 38-story building will have a mashrabiya latticed facade with hotel and residential space inside.
High-rise Construction | Jul 14, 2016
New San Francisco mixed-use tower billed as most earthquake-resistant building on the West Coast
A megabrace is a key seismic component at 181 Fremont, with offices, residences, and retail space.
High-rise Construction | Jul 14, 2016
Shigeru Ban designs tower expected to be world’s tallest hybrid timber structure
To lessen the carbon footprint, Terrace House in Vancouver will be made of wood sourced from British Columbia.
High-rise Construction | Jul 12, 2016
Three-tiered, 57-story high-rise development from Arquitectonica coming to Miami
The structure will be the tallest building in the Edgewater District
Office Buildings | Jul 11, 2016
CetraRuddy designs office tower for Manhattan’s Meatpacking district
Plans originally called for a hotel, but the architect and developers adapted their design for commercial use.
Contractors | Jul 4, 2016
A new report links infrastructure investment to commercial real estate expansion
Competitiveness and economic development are at stake for cities, says Transwestern.
High-rise Construction | Jun 29, 2016
Best Tall Buildings around the world favor unusual shapes and hybrid functions
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat selects winners in four regions.
High-rise Construction | Jun 28, 2016
CTBUH names winners and finalists for 2016 Tall Building Awards
Eight winners were named in five categories that recognized tall buildings, urban habitats, innovation, performance, and decade-long excellence.
High-rise Construction | Jun 15, 2016
WilkinsonEyre designs diamond-patterned Bay Park Centre for Toronto
A sloping plaza with trees, grass, and gardens connects the two downtown towers.
Sponsored | High-rise Construction | Jun 13, 2016
Marilyn Monroe’ tower adds curves to the Toronto skyline
Made of glass, concrete, and steel, the 56-story tower has been dubbed the "Marilyn Monroe" because of its curving lines.