The commission finally voted against the rezoning request and the historic structures are staying put. I am deeply drained by this long struggle but relieved that our persistence paid off for the neighborhood. We need to stay watchful for any future attempts to tear these places down.
May 5, 2015
Final supporters
Edgehill Apartments, 1208 16th Ave S, built around 1922. The 12-unit apartment building has housed engineers, university faculty, songwriters, and other professionals associated with Music Row.
Julius Lowenstein House, 1204 16th Ave S, built in 1909 by Julius Lowenstein (1876-1935), manager of the National Feather & Pillow Company who lived here with his family. Lowenstein's parents were German Jewish immigrants. The building was owned by Roger Cook from 1977-1995. Cook operated Picalic music publishing/production company here with Ralph Murphy. During that time span, Picalic produced about 14 number one records, including top hits by Don Williams, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, and George Straight.The well-preserved building currently houses offices of a Music Row-affiliated accounting firm.
Dallas Villines House/Kelso Herston Enterprises, 1202 16th Ave S, built around 1915 by Dallas M. Villines (1885-1921), an art store merchant in the Arcade. His widow, Francis, continued to live here for many years. From 1970-2014, this house was owned by Kelso Herston, president of United Artists Records from 1963-1967 and Capitol Records from 1967-1972. A native of Florence, Alabama, and influential leader on Music Row since the 1960s, Kelson Herston was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1997. He is recognized as a producer, guitarist, bassist, and songwriter for artists such as Loretta Lynn, Merle Travis, George Jones, Dolly Parton, and Johnny and June Carter Cash. Kelso is perhaps best known for writing popular commercial jingles for Kelso Herston Enterprises, which he operated in this building for over 30 years. From 2010 until a few weeks ago, the building housed a music recording studio called 16th Edge Studios, whose clients included Chris Carmack of the TV show "Nashville."
Historic Nashville believes that the 16th Avenue Apartments would have an adverse impact to the integrity of the historic neighborhood, including adjacent Edgehill Village. We believe that these 100 year old buildings are Worthy of Preservation due to their historic association with Music Row. More importantly, the project is contrary to the designation of Music Row as a National Treasure. Considering the large number of demolitions of historic Music Row landmarks in recent months, the project would have also have a negative impact on local tourism and Nashville's international reputation as the Music City.
For over a century, these historic buildings have been home to artists, merchants, engineers, scholars, musicians, songwriters, and other professionals that have shaped Nashville's unique identity as the Music City. We urge city leaders to encourage the preservation of these important landmarks, instead of approving a redevelopment project that would require their demolition. Therefore, we request that the Metro Planning Commission deny the SP rezoning request (2015SP-007-001) for the 16th Avenue Apartments.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
February 11, 2015
February 9, 2015
The days feel long and the uphill climb is exhausting but we are getting closer to our initial goal. I need everyone reading this to reach out to three people right now to keep this momentum moving forward.
Reached 100 supporters
February 9, 2015
377 Comments
Either Nashville is serious about protecting the historic value of Music Row as a "National Treasure," or it is not. Granting this SP would effectively invalidate any implied commitment to historic preservation on Music Row.
The address on my birth cert is 16th Ave & my mom died there in 2003. Nothing on 16th should ever be demolished. The entire street should be preserved. Knock everything else down, but keep that street! God bless the boys that make the noise on 16th Avenue!
Please stop killing the soul of Nashville. I love this city because it still has southern charm and it is slowly becoming Atlanta. Not a good thing. We are Music City, right? Don't let Music Row become Condo Row.
i don't believe developers should get everything they want. Zoning exists because they need limits. Force them to work within the zoning parameters already established. Nashville doesn't need another bland, cookie cutter residential building.
This new apartment building will not be a good addition for Nashville. It will be another SUBTRACTION for Nashville. Does it add anything unique to the city ? Something that will be historical 106 years from now ? Like the Julius Lowenstein house !?
Please don’t erase the history of Nashville.
STOP ruining Nashville. We need our history preserved!! Apartments can be built anywhere!!
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The commission finally voted against the rezoning request and the historic structures are staying put. I am deeply drained by this long struggle but relieved that our persistence paid off for the neighborhood. We need to stay watchful for any future attempts to tear these places down.
May 5, 2015
Final supporters
Edgehill Apartments, 1208 16th Ave S, built around 1922. The 12-unit apartment building has housed engineers, university faculty, songwriters, and other professionals associated with Music Row.
Julius Lowenstein House, 1204 16th Ave S, built in 1909 by Julius Lowenstein (1876-1935), manager of the National Feather & Pillow Company who lived here with his family. Lowenstein's parents were German Jewish immigrants. The building was owned by Roger Cook from 1977-1995. Cook operated Picalic music publishing/production company here with Ralph Murphy. During that time span, Picalic produced about 14 number one records, including top hits by Don Williams, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, and George Straight.The well-preserved building currently houses offices of a Music Row-affiliated accounting firm.
Dallas Villines House/Kelso Herston Enterprises, 1202 16th Ave S, built around 1915 by Dallas M. Villines (1885-1921), an art store merchant in the Arcade. His widow, Francis, continued to live here for many years. From 1970-2014, this house was owned by Kelso Herston, president of United Artists Records from 1963-1967 and Capitol Records from 1967-1972. A native of Florence, Alabama, and influential leader on Music Row since the 1960s, Kelson Herston was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1997. He is recognized as a producer, guitarist, bassist, and songwriter for artists such as Loretta Lynn, Merle Travis, George Jones, Dolly Parton, and Johnny and June Carter Cash. Kelso is perhaps best known for writing popular commercial jingles for Kelso Herston Enterprises, which he operated in this building for over 30 years. From 2010 until a few weeks ago, the building housed a music recording studio called 16th Edge Studios, whose clients included Chris Carmack of the TV show "Nashville."
Historic Nashville believes that the 16th Avenue Apartments would have an adverse impact to the integrity of the historic neighborhood, including adjacent Edgehill Village. We believe that these 100 year old buildings are Worthy of Preservation due to their historic association with Music Row. More importantly, the project is contrary to the designation of Music Row as a National Treasure. Considering the large number of demolitions of historic Music Row landmarks in recent months, the project would have also have a negative impact on local tourism and Nashville's international reputation as the Music City.
For over a century, these historic buildings have been home to artists, merchants, engineers, scholars, musicians, songwriters, and other professionals that have shaped Nashville's unique identity as the Music City. We urge city leaders to encourage the preservation of these important landmarks, instead of approving a redevelopment project that would require their demolition. Therefore, we request that the Metro Planning Commission deny the SP rezoning request (2015SP-007-001) for the 16th Avenue Apartments.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
February 11, 2015
February 9, 2015
The days feel long and the uphill climb is exhausting but we are getting closer to our initial goal. I need everyone reading this to reach out to three people right now to keep this momentum moving forward.
Reached 100 supporters
February 9, 2015
377 Comments
After my wife and I retired, we moved from Texas to Nashville, specifically because of the "yesteryear charm". I is so depressing to see the city rapidly changing to a "temporary urban" setting. The loss of character will lose more than history, as it will lose residents, such as us.
Either Nashville is serious about protecting the historic value of Music Row as a "National Treasure," or it is not. Granting this SP would effectively invalidate any implied commitment to historic preservation on Music Row.
The address on my birth cert is 16th Ave & my mom died there in 2003. Nothing on 16th should ever be demolished. The entire street should be preserved. Knock everything else down, but keep that street! God bless the boys that make the noise on 16th Avenue!
Please stop killing the soul of Nashville. I love this city because it still has southern charm and it is slowly becoming Atlanta. Not a good thing. We are Music City, right? Don't let Music Row become Condo Row.
i don't believe developers should get everything they want. Zoning exists because they need limits. Force them to work within the zoning parameters already established. Nashville doesn't need another bland, cookie cutter residential building.
This new apartment building will not be a good addition for Nashville. It will be another SUBTRACTION for Nashville. Does it add anything unique to the city ? Something that will be historical 106 years from now ? Like the Julius Lowenstein house !?
Please don’t erase the history of Nashville.
STOP ruining Nashville. We need our history preserved!! Apartments can be built anywhere!!
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After my wife and I retired, we moved from Texas to Nashville, specifically because of the "yesteryear charm". I is so depressing to see the city rapidly changing to a "temporary urban" setting. The loss of character will lose more than history, as it will lose residents, such as us.