Crews are putting the finishing touches on Nashville’s first trail and stadium-orientated development, Starling. Developed by Portman Holdings, the new 8-story project includes 363-units and 17,000 SF of retail. The development is situated in the outfield of First Horizon Park, Home of the Nashville Sounds MiLB Team and a segment of the Cumberland River Greenway Trail. The project started construction in the Summer of 2022 and is located at 820 4th Avenue North in Germantown.
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Timeline: 2022 – 2024
CityNowNext conducted an interview with Dotan Zuckerman, Executive Vice President of Development with Portman Holdings and took part in a hardhat tour of Starling. We started by discussing what went into the decision for choosing this site.
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“We love the opportunity to create new experiences in neighborhoods with character, and we were inspired by the walkability and vitality of Germantown. We immediately knew there was incredible potential to bring in a highly amenitized residential experience with dynamic retail offerings.”
Zuckerman continued, “Our team is intently focused on finding opportunities for smart-built development along pedestrian trails. Our mixed-use portfolio reflects our passion for activating the ground floor of our projects, inspiring energy to flow on and off the surrounding pedestrian trails.”
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The connection to the Greenway is a critical component of this development and to the cycling community; especially given that it’s no longer within the gated limits of the stadium. This segment of trail continues West to Bicentennial State Park and the Gulch, North towards Neuhoff District and MetroCenter, and South towards Downtown. There are also plans for a pedestrian bridge from River North to Neuhoff District over the Cumberland River.
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Starling also presents an excellent opportunity for adding commerce to the trail system with nearly 17,000 SF of retail activation and outdoor seating. The developer shared during the interview that the renowned Japanese ramen concept Kyuramen as the latest retail tenant for Starling. As the first Kyuramen in Tennessee, the restaurant will bring its popular authentic and innovative ramen experience to Germantown later this year. Brokered by Ojas Partners, previously announced tenants include Toastique, Solidcore, Social Cantina, and Retrograde Coffee.
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Portman will look to draw from the success of its many trail-oriented developments throughout the Southeast. The firm is committed to trail-oriented development and the benefits they provide to residents and visitors. Zuckerman continued,
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“In addition to Starling, we recently delivered Junction Krog District in Atlanta, a 135,000-square-foot Class-A office building with street-level retail along the Atlanta BeltLine; Savona Mill, an adaptive reuse mixed-use community in Charlotte adjacent to the Stewart Creek Greenway; and Linea at The Line in Charlotte, a 370-unit luxury residential tower with 25,000 square feet of retail connected to the Rail Trail.”
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Designed by Dynamik Design, Starling includes a mix of studio, 1, and 2-bedroom apartments with a range of floor plans and outdoor options. Amenities include a sky lounge with bar, library, expansive outdoor deck, pet spa, dog run, fitness center & lawn, and rooftop pool with cabanas and daybeds.
When asked about the vision behind the project’s the developer noted that,
“The name Starling is inspired by the songbird reflects Nashville’s vibrant musical roots. It also symbolizes the property’s nature-infused setting and inviting vantage points for residents and guests to perch and take in the views.”
The vantage points and perch views are offered in a variety of ways throughout the development. Apartments on the first level feature walkout units, some with soaring windows and ceilings. Upper floor apartments include balconies, rooftop patios, and some which feature both. The Sky lounge also has access to Ballpark views.
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“We believe in Nashville and are excited to deliver Starling next month, which is our second project in the market. Last year, we delivered The Moore Building, a 16-story Class-A office building in the heart of the iconic Music Row district. Located within walking distance of Broadway”
Dotan Zuckerman, Executive Vice President of Development with Portman
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The Moore Building features 236,000 square feet of office space and 8,500 square feet of ground-floor retail, which includes recently announced Atlanta-based Highland Yoga. Portman is also in the early planning stages for the redevelopment of Eleven North, which will evolve a 10-acre apartment campus in The Gulch into a connected mixed-use destination. Similar to Starling, Eleven North will have direct access to the Gulch Greenway trail, create new paths for seamless pedestrian connectivity to the Gulch and surrounding neighborhoods, as well as provide significant enhancements to the Greenway. Slide the conceptual Eleven North images below for context.
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CityNowNext concluded by asking Portman how they envisioned the pedestrian circulation through the design for Starling.
Zuckerman concluded, “We are creating an experience that compliments the pedestrian activity flowing off the greenway and the energy of First Horizon Park. When developing the plan for Starling, we knew it was important to bring best-in-class brands and new concepts to serve as an amenity for the whole neighborhood.”
“With the project now nearing completion, we can’t wait to see bikers, baseball fans, Pilates-goers, residents, and others come off the greenway to experience everything Starling has to offer.”
Dotan Zuckerman, Executive Vice President of Development with Portman
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Leasing has started at Starling with the first move-ins beginning later this week. Work has started on the upcoming retail offerings with plans to start opening this Summer. There is one remaining retail shell still available. For information on either apartment or retail leasing, tap the links below.