8th and Gale Marketplace
Location:
Nashville, Tennessee
Status:
Completed Winter 2020
Size:
18,680 SF
Client:
Fidelity Real Estate Group
Shop Team:
Project Collaborators:
Structural Engineer:
EMC Structural Engineering
MPE Engineering:
Edmonds Engineering
Civil Engineer:
Kimley-Horn
Landscape Architect:
Kimley-Horn
General Contractor:
Flow Construction Company
The exterior shell renovation to Eighth & Gale (formerly Gale Marketplace) is part of a $2 million plan to modernize the existing shopping center and attract a new generation of potential users to the fast-growing Melrose neighborhood.
Early on, the project proved to be a significant challenge structurally, as the building was constructed on top of an existing concrete box culvert. Additions and demolition had to be carefully managed as to not disturb the structure beneath the building. Overall, more than 90% of the original structure was re-used in the renovation of the exterior shell.
The exterior of the building takes cues from nearby buildings on Eighth Avenue South, while featuring distinct high parapets that bring attention to each of the end-cap tenants. A refined palette of materials, which includes brick and stucco with metal and wood accents, adds character to the overall building renovation. Special attention was given to the brick detailing and color to allow each tenant space to have a distinct look and feel while still complementing the composition as a whole. Each tenant space will also include new low-e aluminum storefront systems optimized for retail environments, in addition to metal canopy awnings or fabric blade awnings (depending on elevation) for shade and weather protection.
The site and landscape design for the building features new parking islands with ground cover and native trees, in addition to widened pedestrian sidewalks and grass buffer strips along the perimeter of the site. New site lighting, including parking lot poles, decorative bollards, and LED accent lighting provide a higher degree of safety, security, and ambiance to the project. Necessary upgrades have been made to all parking and sidewalk surfaces to ensure ADA compliance. A two-stage water quality unit located beneath the parking lot will filter the site’s stormwater before tying into public utilities.
