Paseo South Gulch: A City Within a City
People and experiences are at the heart of design and that human-centered perspective is what inspired Paseo South Gulch.
This four-tower development is a fusion of retail, residential, office, hospitality, and adaptive reuse, creating a dynamic tapestry of experiences. Nestled within the architectural embrace of repurposed industrial structures, this thriving metropolis harmoniously blends the old with the new, offering a unique urban landscape.
Paseo, meaning a leisurely walk or stroll, is exactly what this new development in the South Gulch neighborhood of Nashville is designed around. The pedestrian experience begins before you even enter Paseo. Prioritizing ease of access and safety, a HAWK (High Intensity Activated Crosswalk) signal will be installed at 8th Avenue. The HAWK beacon is not illuminated until it is activated by a pedestrian, triggering the warning flashing yellow lens. Once visitors enter the site, they will experience complete connectivity throughout this city within a city. With a focus on pedestrians and the human experience, Paseo is a vibrant place with interconnected walkways, green space, outdoor dining, and a grand stair, allowing pedestrians to walk freely throughout the entire development. Active use is reserved for the ground floors going deep into the site. Thoughtfully dispersed throughout is a mix of local Nashville retailers and national brands. These tenants have been carefully chosen to create a live, work, play environment for everyone. Custom local and national artwork will be featured on exterior walls throughout Paseo.
Adaptive reuse of two historic buildings was imperative to the success of this site. The Antiques Building, formerly the old antiques mall, and the Voorhees Building have been rehabilitated and will receive historic landmark designations guaranteeing that they cannot be developed in the future- preserving Nashville’s history while bringing new life to this 5-acre site.
The Antiques Building retailers include Carter Vintage Guitars and Blind Barber with restaurant offerings from Two Hands and Nashville-based Maiz De La Vida. The Voorhees Building will be home to Barista Parlor, Indochino, and The Malin, a work-focused members club, with Nashville’s own James Beard Award semi-finalist Catbird Seat and Patterson House occupying the penthouse.
Nestled between these two adaptive reuse buildings is Prima, a 16-story, 278-unit residential tower opening to residence in early March 2024. ESa’s design team drew inspiration from the Voorhees Building and its grid proportions and masonry. Prima is a contemporary expression of the industrial language of the Voorhees building’s concrete structure with brick infill. Cladding the parking garage and spanning upward four stories is custom screen art loosely inspired by the local landform context of Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood by artist and architect Thom Faulders. A pedestrian passageway through the ground level of the building, creating the “paseo”, further connects the site, giving moments of respite as the paths taper and expand offering multiple experiences along the way.
Tower Two is currently in design development and will be 30 stories tall and feature a luxury hotel and condos.
Paseo South Gulch not only optimizes the use of space but also creates a living, breathing environment, where people can effortlessly move between work, leisure, entertainment, and home, enhancing their overall experience and fostering a sense of community in this city within a city.
