June 29, 2018
After years of delays, McEwen Northside mixed-use development under way in Cool Springs
June 29, 2018
FRANKLIN — One of the more lucrative tracts of commercial land remaining in Cool Springs, the 45-acre parcel across McEwen Drive from Whole Foods on the west side of I-65 is finally poised to be more than a fenced-off pile of dirt and rocks.
Known as McEwen Northside, the tract of land was initially slated to be developed in 2007 by Southern Land Company. After the recession in 2008, and multiple sales of the land, the property landed in the hands of Boyle Investment Company last year.
Phil Fawcett, partner at Boyle Investment Co., said they were brought on board to develop the site’s master plan and define how the land would be used.
“Master planning always starts with the market and how we feel like we can meet the market,” Fawcett said. “In this case, it’s the office market, the residential market and the retail market we focused on. Then we focus on taking the characteristics of the property and celebrate those as best we can.”
He said nestling the project into the existing residential (Dwell at McEwen) and retail (Whole Foods) that surrounds the property was also a priority as the plans evolved.
“We want to make sure this project fits into the context of what’s already there and try to enhance it,” he said. “Ultimately, we wanted to differentiate this project from anything else in Cool Springs.”
Boyle, in partnership with multifamily developer Northwood Ravin, has begun construction on the first phase, which will consist of a Class A, mixed-use office and retail building, restaurants and luxury multifamily units arranged around a 2-acre central park. This phase is slated for a late 2019 opening.
The mixed-use office/retail building will have ground-floor retail and be topped with Class-A office space. Expected completion is September 2019 for tenant occupancy.
The multi-family residences will be located within walking distance from the mixed-use office and retail buildings and the central park. The apartments will include 10-foot ceilings, modern kitchens and bathrooms, elevator access, a premium health and fitness center, spa and resort-style pool and clubhouse.
But beyond square footages and building footprints, developers at Boyle wanted this project to bring a more urban-minded sense of community and lifestyle to Cool Springs.
“We wanted it to be walkable,” Fawcett said. “Residents of McEwen Northside and from Dwell next door should be able to walk to Whole Foods. All of our buildings have retail on the ground floor, so you can live there, work there and hang out there. We wanted to be sure people had a place to gather, meet and work outside of their office. That’s what we are hoping to accomplish. We want it to be a unique destination in Williamson County.”
Although he couldn’t reveal any names yet, he said there is already interest in the project from several retailers. He added that the goal is to lure the best of the local retailers and only very unique regional and national ones.
“We want retailers that don’t have a chain feel to them,” he said. “We want this to feel more like a 12th South or the Gulch and bring that to Williamson County.”
Thomas McDaniel, partner and director of office properties at Boyle Investment Co., describes this development as a new vibrant, urban commercial district in Cool Springs.
“The smart blend of local and national chef-driven restaurants and retail shops, a business-class hotel, interactive green spaces, and upscale residential apartments makes McEwen Northside a destination unto itself, with the added benefit of perfect proximity to the best of Cool Springs, providing a competitive advantage for companies interested in attracting and retaining top talent and driving productivity.”
For more information on McEwen Northside, go to McEwenNorthside.com.