Co-developers Ray and VeLa celebrated the start of Ray Nashville, a distinctive 32-story residential tower in Downtown Nashville. The ceremonial groundbreaking took place last week at the project site. The uniquely designed residence will rise at the gateway of the PieTown neighborhood and showcase works from Nashville-based artists and beyond. Construction financing for Ray Nashville was provided by J.P. Morgan and Monroe Capital and arranged by Walker & Dunlop. Ray Nashville is located at 601 Lafayette Street.
“We are thrilled to once again partner with Ray and break ground on this world-class tower in the exciting and evolving Pie Town neighborhood of Nashville,” said Nick Benjamin, Principal of VeLa. “Ray Nashville’s unique vision draws on the city’s vibrant arts community for inspiration and its robust amenities, high design and diverse price points will offer Nashville’s rapidly growing downtown population an exceptional new place to call home.”
Ray Nashville is the second collaboration between the two companies following the recent groundbreaking of Ray Phoenix in Arizona. The $211 million 32-story Nashville project encompasses approximately 575,000 square feet. Ray Nashville is designed by award-winning architectural firm Johnston Marklee & Associates, in partnership with Lamar Johnson Collaborative, with state-of-the-art amenities designed by award-winning Parts and Labor Design in collaboration with Ray’s in-house design team.
“The project’s institutional and experienced sponsorship, coupled with its thoughtful, high-end design, will set this asset apart in the Nashville market,” said Sean Reimer, Walker & Dunlop. “We are very pleased to have worked with JPMorgan and Monroe Capital to provide a comprehensive development financing solution.”
Shown for context only.
According to the designer, the building will draw inspiration from the broad blue skies and the evolving urban landscape of the city. The modernist gridded façade will have a contemporary expression through the tinted blue hues of the glazing and mullions that reflect the surrounding context. The building awning frames a generous streetscape along the sidewalk offering shade and a welcoming space with new street trees and plantings. Here’s the quick rundown:
Ray Nashville
601 Lafayette Street
| What’s Now: | Parking Lot |
| What’s Next: | Mixed-Use Development |
| Developers: | VELA Development |
| Ray | |
| Architects: | Johnston Marklee & Associates |
| Lamar Johnson Collaborative | |
| Parts and Labor Design | |
| Landscape: | Grace Fuller Design |
| Civil: | Kimley-Horn |
| Residential: | 367-Units |
| Retail: | 4,795 SF |
| Parking: | 396 Spaces |
| Contractor: | Layton |
Shown for context only.
Ray Nashville will feature a mix of studio, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments. Unit interiors will be equipped with premier quality cabinetry, modern fixtures and appliances, integrated balconies, ample storage, and built-in furniture in select apartments.
“Ray Nashville brings together beautiful living and amenity spaces with high architectural design and curated art collections that will instill culture into everyday living,” said Suzanne Demisch, Creative Director at Ray. “We’re so excited to become part of the Nashville community, one of the greatest cities in the country for arts and culture.”
Featured amenities includes a large fitness center with outdoor space, yoga studio, spa, sunken lounge with fireplace, outdoor resort-style pool and kitchens, dog wash stations, co-working spaces and more. The project will also include a ground floor, publicly-accessible exhibition space on Lafayette Street. An amenity also present in Ray’s Philadelphia and Phoenix locations, the exhibition space will serve the Nashville visual art scene.
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