Albion in the Gulch
Large Project (over 25,000 sf)
The curved twin towers of Albion in the Gulch serve as an iconic gateway to downtown Nashville. The building’s wavy and sinuous form was inspired by the area’s railroad history as home of Union Station, and the natural geographic depression of the area’s gulch that has influenced the formation of the eponymous neighborhood. The 20-story, 411,000 SF multi-use high-rise features 415 apartments, extensive amenities and outdoor spaces, and ground-level retail space. The development invigorates an underutilized city block by developing a corridor that brings vibrancy downtown, increases density in the Gulch, and promotes sustainable living for residents.
Awards Year | 2024
Project Statement
The project site can be viewed unobstructed from roads leading into downtown Nashville, hence the architect aimed for the new building to establish an iconic presence with striking visual appeal. Originally zoned for manufacturing and warehouse, the property most recently housed a carpet store then was used for laydown three years prior to redevelopment. Albion in the Gulch’s design thoughtfully responds to its context as the historic departure point for railway passengers, goods and services since 1806 – and Routes 65 and 40 that now define the southern edge of The Gulch.
Albion in the Gulch is comprised of two curvilinear towers separated by a glass-enclosed bridge. Gently undulating forms recall the sinuous track beds, points of frog where train tracks cross, and Union Station’s decorative flourishes. The East Tower terminates in a narrow north-facing promontory, creating a dialog with the tower of the original Union Station at the opposite end of The Gulch. The form of the West Tower is abstracted from vintage Locomotive Architecture. Its recessed balconies recall a steam engine’s streamlined forms, while the glass-enclosed ribbon connecting the two towers echoes the bridges that provided city access to The Gulch. The building’s curving forms are played against the repetitive grid of its exterior window wall – representing the consistent grid of the track sleepers and repetitive shed architecture – to generate the building’s architectural dialog of curvilinear and orthogonal expressions.
At its base, the building’s telescoping form resolves in a series of grade-level grids and curves, which radiate out to create landscaped plazas and planting areas that set the tone for its gracious curb appeal.
Offering a community-building environment was an important component of the client’s lease-up and retention strategy. A mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments along with three-bedroom, two-story townhomes with soaring 24-foot ceilings offers a variety of layouts and price points. The client desired dynamic features across 20,000 SF of amenity space that offered unique social spaces, everyday conveniences, and immersive experiences for residents.
Given its location in Music City, musical expression is a motif of the interior direction, both literally and figuratively. The patterns and shapes of musical instruments are loosely translated in the niches and soft bends of the lobby, its wood-wrapped columns and white-oak tamboured paneling, and curved glass wall. A “theatrical balcony” on the mezzanine overlooks the two-story lobby, with a catwalk that can be set up as a temporary stage for music performances.
Framework for Design Excellence Narrative
1. **Design for Integration**
The project site is prominent because of the confluence of the freeways located around it. The most cost-efficient design would have had a rectangular or square shape. However, the client held that it was important for the project to have an interesting form that would raise the standard for high-rise living in Nashville. The architect was able to achieve a curvilinear body without incurring substantial additional expense. Another advantage was the design allowed the historic Civil War site of Fort Neagly to have a continued view corridor of downtown Nashville. The design concept that is rooted in locomotive architecture also connects Albion in the Gulch with the historical railway past of The Gulch. The result is a unique addition to the Nashville skyline.
1. **Design for Equitable Communities**
The open concept lobby has a café that is publicly accessible for the community to congregate, as well as neighboring park. The transit-oriented site is walkable to downtown Nashville, and near the convention center, Bridgestone Arena, Adventure Science Center and other Gulch amenities.
1. **Design for Ecosystems**
Bioswale areas with native grass plantings are provided for stormwater management. The parking spaces provided are fewer than required by zoning code. EV charging stations and dedicated spaces for EV cars are provided on the property for both public and building residents. There is bicycle parking within the building for residents, and in front for the public.
1. **Design for Energy**
Sustainable features include high-performance glazing and water-source heat pumps.
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LEED/Green Certifications
LEED v4 BD+C NC Silver certified
Photo Captions
02 – View facing south looking at the northeast façade of the East Tower
03 – View facing south at the north façade
04 – Site Plan
05 – View facing north at the south façade, at the intersection of Interstate 65 and 40
06 – Detail view of the north façade of the West Tower and the connecting bridge 07 – View facing east of the west façade. The north-side expression of the East Tower reaches the ground plane, while the West Tower sits atop the podium.
08 – First Floor Plan
09 – The purveyor of the locally-owned on-site coffee shop serves residents, as well as the broader public that is welcome in the 10,000 SF lobby
10 - The co-working lounge, delineated by a bespoke, floral wall covering applied to the concave wall and blue-tinged wood plank flooring, features comfortable custom banquette seating with electrical plug-ins
11 - A “theatrical balcony” on the mezzanine overlooks the two-story lobby, with a catwalk that can be set up as a temporary stage for music performances.
12 – Penthouse level Floor Plan for amenity spaces
13 - In contrast to the light and bright lobby, the 20th floor amenity floor suggests a moody, casual, dive-bar vibe. The Clubhouse area sports concrete floors, wood paneled walls, and a custom wallcovering with record images and the look of stickers layered on top of each other over time.
14 - The signature feature in the entertainment lounge is the “Working Title” performance stage, surrounded by nightclub-style seating. Accenting the shape of the curved bar, a unique light fixture is comprised of metal-mesh panels arranged into a box-frame structure, that glows within from LED light strips. The polished refinement of the grand piano is a foil to the raw textures of the distressed wood floors, masonry walls and metal stools.
15 – Albion in the Gulch at dusk
