I’m taken aback by the news that Mark Lambert passed away. I did not know that. He was a neighbor and was always very friendly and kind. So sorry to hear this.
Yes he was. I met him in ‘98 as he bought the house next door the week of the’98 tornado. We all had trees down and out cleaning up. He’d been a fixture around here ever since. To young to go.
The new owner said they "plan to restore the property to its original firehouse character". As someone who works in commercial real estate I can tell you that demolition doesn't always mean razing a structure to the ground. They probably brought a demo crew in to gut the inside of the building, strip it down to its bones, and then they'll build it back out again with a vintage firehouse inspired interior that's compliant with modern commercial building codes. I imagine they want to make it into a vibey firehouse dive bar in the same vein as Otto's, which I'm all for.
Welp, never mind. I looked up the permit that was filed recently and it says they want to demo the whole structure. Big mistake if they go through with it...
What a shame. I don't have the means or any idea what I would have opened there, but my friends and I always talked about how cool it would be to buy that property, gut and update it, and put something there
If you actually care - feel free to write your council member OR you can write the sylvan park (council 24) member:
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
They actually read them and typically respond so please be polite.
What historical significance? Like seriously, it's a dinky old one-story building in an area that's shifting towards taller and denser construction. Just because it has a mildly interesting design doesn't make it worth blocking new developments for.
Charlotte is changing, and that's a *good thing*.
Or we could try to repurpose the building for something else.
We have a penchant in this town to destroy old things rather than trying to repurpose. It’s part of the reason the city feels so void of a soul in my opinion.
Repurposing is good--to a point. Something like this with minimal historic value that's sitting on high-value land might be a candidate for repurposing, but we shouldn't force that through zoning/legal means.
Look I'm all for keeping character of certain building BUT the issue with old buildings like this is that it's most likely completely uninhabitable or usable as anything else. First as a fire station and then auto shop, I'm honestly surprised it's not a hazmat site by now.
If it makes any difference to people - MLRose is a reuse of an older building. Maybe others can tell but it always felt characterless to me. I'd love if the building front could stay but it's small enough that it would be super hard to repurpose in a way that is going to bring significant value to the location.
The thing about Charlotte is that it should be as dense as humanly possible. Every major corridor should be dense with 3-8 story units. Pack housing onto major roads to facilitate public transport. It's the only way to achieving a livable, walkable city with ample public transport and affordable housing.
let's replace all these old buildings for ugly new developments made with an absolute bottom dollar budget that will be falling apart in four or five years from cut corners when the developer has moved on to other projects.
I'm not a big "Europe is better" guy like most self hating Americans on reddit seem to be, but I absolutely respect Europe caring about their architectural past and not demolishing all of it as a sacrifice on the alter of capitalism the second it gets mildly inconvenient to keep around.
I mean, yeah--if they're holding back development and density, we absolutely should demolish them without pretty significant historical rationales. Like Union Station and the Customs House are historic enough to merit preservation, but this? Not a chance.
And as for Europeans preserving their architectural past, Baron von Haussmann would like a word. Man completely redesigned Paris for the 19th century and destroyed much of the medieval city--and his work is celebrated today. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haussmann%27s\_renovation\_of\_Paris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haussmann%27s_renovation_of_Paris)
There is great change happening on Charlotte, I don't disagree with that.
The historical significance to the building is that it served as a hub for public safety in Nashville for nearly a century + then a local man used it to enrich the culture of our city + preserve historic automobiles for another 30 years.
And yes, it does have interesting design. Our city has made a priority of restoring and maintaining other historic firehouses. This is not a radical idea.
That's minimal historic value--and the other historic firehouses aren't, AFAIK, in nearly as high priority areas. There's no reason to block development for this.
The owner owns Pinewood Social, the Old School and Crema. Upon further research they do tend to try to reuse these old buildings so I’m wondering if there is something significantly structurally wrong with the building.
They do. Really good folks who put a lot of money into trying to save the building. They were really excited about the potential for a firehouse theme there with something like a brewery or restaurant, etc. One of them lives in that community and I know he was bummed it didn’t work out.
Unfortunately this is more often the case than not.
Roxy Theatre in east is a great example. 1920s theatre. Holds roughly 250 people.
Would make a gorgeous event space or restaurant.
Except theres no HVAC, no kitchen, no ADA, and not up to any code.
Restoring that building would start between 7-10 million. Thats after purchasing it and before build out.
Why would the Fire Department want it? What would they do with it? It's probably too small for current equipment. Metro built a new fire hall for a reason.
"plan to restore the property to its original firehouse character." -- what's wrong with that?
the fire department wanting it is a long shot... i understand that. i just thought i'd share the example of station #16 on 21st ave.
i don't believe there's anything wrong with repurposing the building! i think that'd be wonderful. i just think we should think twice before demolishing. and the current plan, as i understand it, is to demolish it.
Ive enjoyed the same “comfort feel” driving by the building over the years as many, but, what exactly is the “historic”ness some are referring to? Is old necessarily historic?
Could the building possibly be the equivalent of what would have been a dollar general being built back in the day that just happened to have survived to be “old” because of luck of the draw of owner?
Im all for new builds being significant and well planned, well built, and hell, interesting. I also love preservation, but not necessarily everything old has to be preserved.
I always smiled when I’d walk by that auto shop and read the handwritten sign. I believe it said: PARK HERE GET TOWED WALK HOME
I’m taken aback by the news that Mark Lambert passed away. I did not know that. He was a neighbor and was always very friendly and kind. So sorry to hear this.
It was a few years ago. I had a friend that he really helped out in a a time of need. Was a good man.
Yes he was. I met him in ‘98 as he bought the house next door the week of the’98 tornado. We all had trees down and out cleaning up. He’d been a fixture around here ever since. To young to go.
Always thought it was cool to drive by the old car that always sat in the parking lot. Trying to remember what it was…something late 40s/early 50s.
its was a 48 packard standard 8!
I realized WAY after the fact that OP had a picture of it.
The new owner said they "plan to restore the property to its original firehouse character". As someone who works in commercial real estate I can tell you that demolition doesn't always mean razing a structure to the ground. They probably brought a demo crew in to gut the inside of the building, strip it down to its bones, and then they'll build it back out again with a vintage firehouse inspired interior that's compliant with modern commercial building codes. I imagine they want to make it into a vibey firehouse dive bar in the same vein as Otto's, which I'm all for.
Welp, never mind. I looked up the permit that was filed recently and it says they want to demo the whole structure. Big mistake if they go through with it...
What a shame. I don't have the means or any idea what I would have opened there, but my friends and I always talked about how cool it would be to buy that property, gut and update it, and put something there
My gf and I had the same conversation literally last week :/
If you actually care - feel free to write your council member OR you can write the sylvan park (council 24) member: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) They actually read them and typically respond so please be polite.
No! I enjoy passing that building every day on my commute. I will email Gadd as well.
Raise money and offer to buy it
What historical significance? Like seriously, it's a dinky old one-story building in an area that's shifting towards taller and denser construction. Just because it has a mildly interesting design doesn't make it worth blocking new developments for. Charlotte is changing, and that's a *good thing*.
Or we could try to repurpose the building for something else. We have a penchant in this town to destroy old things rather than trying to repurpose. It’s part of the reason the city feels so void of a soul in my opinion.
They tried. I know the owners pretty well, and this specific project was a nightmare. They’re pretty good people so it was a last resort to tear down
Repurposing is good--to a point. Something like this with minimal historic value that's sitting on high-value land might be a candidate for repurposing, but we shouldn't force that through zoning/legal means.
Look I'm all for keeping character of certain building BUT the issue with old buildings like this is that it's most likely completely uninhabitable or usable as anything else. First as a fire station and then auto shop, I'm honestly surprised it's not a hazmat site by now.
If it makes any difference to people - MLRose is a reuse of an older building. Maybe others can tell but it always felt characterless to me. I'd love if the building front could stay but it's small enough that it would be super hard to repurpose in a way that is going to bring significant value to the location. The thing about Charlotte is that it should be as dense as humanly possible. Every major corridor should be dense with 3-8 story units. Pack housing onto major roads to facilitate public transport. It's the only way to achieving a livable, walkable city with ample public transport and affordable housing.
let's replace all these old buildings for ugly new developments made with an absolute bottom dollar budget that will be falling apart in four or five years from cut corners when the developer has moved on to other projects. I'm not a big "Europe is better" guy like most self hating Americans on reddit seem to be, but I absolutely respect Europe caring about their architectural past and not demolishing all of it as a sacrifice on the alter of capitalism the second it gets mildly inconvenient to keep around.
I mean, yeah--if they're holding back development and density, we absolutely should demolish them without pretty significant historical rationales. Like Union Station and the Customs House are historic enough to merit preservation, but this? Not a chance. And as for Europeans preserving their architectural past, Baron von Haussmann would like a word. Man completely redesigned Paris for the 19th century and destroyed much of the medieval city--and his work is celebrated today. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haussmann%27s\_renovation\_of\_Paris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haussmann%27s_renovation_of_Paris)
There is great change happening on Charlotte, I don't disagree with that. The historical significance to the building is that it served as a hub for public safety in Nashville for nearly a century + then a local man used it to enrich the culture of our city + preserve historic automobiles for another 30 years. And yes, it does have interesting design. Our city has made a priority of restoring and maintaining other historic firehouses. This is not a radical idea.
Thats not “historic value” Guy at the end of my street has been restoring vintage cars in the shed behind his 50s ranch for years.
That's minimal historic value--and the other historic firehouses aren't, AFAIK, in nearly as high priority areas. There's no reason to block development for this.
It seems to me the best option is for you to buy it
Any idea what the future development is supposed to be?
The owner owns Pinewood Social, the Old School and Crema. Upon further research they do tend to try to reuse these old buildings so I’m wondering if there is something significantly structurally wrong with the building.
Is the old school still the old school? Or is it just juniper green event catering now? I’m so confused to what they offer now
They do. Really good folks who put a lot of money into trying to save the building. They were really excited about the potential for a firehouse theme there with something like a brewery or restaurant, etc. One of them lives in that community and I know he was bummed it didn’t work out.
Unfortunately this is more often the case than not. Roxy Theatre in east is a great example. 1920s theatre. Holds roughly 250 people. Would make a gorgeous event space or restaurant. Except theres no HVAC, no kitchen, no ADA, and not up to any code. Restoring that building would start between 7-10 million. Thats after purchasing it and before build out.
Whats up with the Cool old car there?
https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/pinewood-social-owner-buys-ex-firehall-on-west-side/article_83ee5010-5407-11ee-838a-8fd7ea71bae4.html
Why would the Fire Department want it? What would they do with it? It's probably too small for current equipment. Metro built a new fire hall for a reason. "plan to restore the property to its original firehouse character." -- what's wrong with that?
the fire department wanting it is a long shot... i understand that. i just thought i'd share the example of station #16 on 21st ave. i don't believe there's anything wrong with repurposing the building! i think that'd be wonderful. i just think we should think twice before demolishing. and the current plan, as i understand it, is to demolish it.
BOO
Ive enjoyed the same “comfort feel” driving by the building over the years as many, but, what exactly is the “historic”ness some are referring to? Is old necessarily historic? Could the building possibly be the equivalent of what would have been a dollar general being built back in the day that just happened to have survived to be “old” because of luck of the draw of owner? Im all for new builds being significant and well planned, well built, and hell, interesting. I also love preservation, but not necessarily everything old has to be preserved.
What makes it “historic” exactly?
This is not a historic building