Nashville-based Sila Developments is proposing a new 14-story Element hotel along the-up-and-coming Lafayette Corridor. The property is situated just minutes to Music City Center, the Gulch & lower Broadway. Element is a sustainable extended stay hotel featuring studio & 1-bedroom suites with kitchens. Designed by local architect SV Design, the project will include 205 guest rooms located on 536 Lafayette Street.

The proposed tower will replace the former meat & three restaurant, Dandgure’s Cafeteria which closed in June of last year. The longtime establishment operated in that location since 1991 and was last sold in 2018 for $2 Million according to metro documents. The project also joins a growing list of new hotel developments in downtown Nashville. The map below shows a sample of proposed hotel developments.

A request for a major modification was submitted on Friday for the 2 parcels which make up the property. Once approved, the request will permit the 14-story hotel on the 0.28 acre site. The request was made by SV Design on behalf of the owner. Here’s the quick rundown:
Element Hotel
536 Lafayette Street

What’s Now | 1-story building/Parking lot |
What’s Next | Hotel |
Developer | Sila Developments |
Architect | SV Design |
Contractor | TBD |
Height | 14 Stories |
Site | 0.28 Acres |
Residences | 205 -Keys |
Parking | N/A |


Slide the image to see What’s Now & Next
Shown for context only.
The development takes full advantage of the site topography and size. Plans indicate that there are three entrances; there’s one located on Lea Avenue, another at the corner of 6th Ave & Lafayette, as well as on Lafayette Street proper. There’s a double-height lounge with bar and kitchen, an upper lounge, fitness center, and indoor pool. The plans didn’t show a structured parking garage, however there is a valet drop off. Additionally, the Element brand has a Bikes To Borrow program which enables guest to grab a bike and helmet from the front desk.

The building facade is clad in tri-tone metal panels, aluminum framed windows, and glass railings. Plans also indicate expanded sidewalks with a landscape buffer, new tree line, landscaping, and bike parking. It also includes two new curb cuts for the valet drop off on Lea Ave.
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