February 19, 2016

Attention to Detail to Make Schilling Farms Special, Distinctive


By Ron Caldwell
– The Collierville Herald –

Schilling Farms is a massive 458-acre development sprawling from Poplar Avenue to Winchester Road with plans for offices, stores, churches, a school, and large homes and apartments. But, it is the "little things" and the "attention to detail" that have occupied much of the time of its developers.

An example of the detailed planning is a 40-foot landmark tower that is being constructed along Poplar Avenue to showcase Schilling Farms.

"Everyone knows about the white fence at Schilling Farms. It is a true landmark in Collierville," said Harry Smith of Schilling Farms. "We decided to keep that fence and to also create another landmark with the white tower."

The 40-foot tower has been built and painted the trademark white. All that is now waiting for its completion is the delivery of its impressive tower top from a company in Florida where it is being assembled.

The tower top with its inside lighting and three window openings will give the tower a "light-house-look," according to Rusty Bloodworth of Boyle Investment Company, who recently traveled to Florida to inspect the tower.

"It is very, very impressive," said Bloodworth. "It features hand-blown glass and three window panes with lighting on the inside of the tower. We have spent a great deal of time and money on the project, but it is something that we believe the town will be proud of and will be another landmark in Collierville."

He said that he expects the tower to be completed in the next few weeks.

"The icons at Schilling Farms are inspired by the agrarian heritage of West Tennessee and will maintain the small-town atmosphere and architectural style of Collierville," said Smith.

That attention to detail is being implemented in every square inch of the development, added Bloodworth.

He said that throughout Schilling Farms, the white fence motif and theme will be used. In addition, replicas of the Schilling Farms barns will be placed within the development. For a classic effect, the lighting in Schilling Farms will make use of lantern designs.

He added that custom wrought-iron benches imprinted with Schilling Farms have been delivered and will be placed throughout the development.

Even though it is not easily visible from Poplar Avenue, Bloodworth said that a great deal of work has already been accomplished within the sprawling development. He cited sewage and road infrastructure as examples.

"The infrastructure is about 65 percent in place," said Bloodworth. "Schilling Boulevard, Schilling Boulevard East, and Crescent Drive have all been paved."

In addition, the new Collierville YMCA is coming from the ground in grand style on a site donated by Smith in 1995. The newly named Schilling Farms Middle School is also under construction and is scheduled to be ready for classes in August.

Other projects approved by town planners include a 324-unit apartment complex called the Madison at Schilling Farms, another apartment complex called the Legacy at Schilling Farms, and a 75-lot residential area with homes ranging from 3,410 square feet to 7,300 square feet.

He said that work on elegant residential homes called the Neighborhood at Schilling Farms is also beginning. A builder group for the first 87 lots has been selected and houses will be ready when Schilling Farms hosts the Vesta Home Show during the first three weeks in October.

In addition to the apartments and residential lots, the development will also feature Kid Tech Child Care, Methodist Primary Care Clinic, BankTennessee, Orion Packaging Systems, National Bank of Commerce, a church, and a 2.5 acre McGinnis Park. Also, the town has approved a 63,000-square-foot office service building and a 125,000-square-foot office warehouse building.

Bloodworth said that Schilling Farms will announce for a church and a hotel on the site within the next six months.

Schilling Farms will also have 1.5 million square feet of office space and 90 acres of distribution space as well as retail shops and residential neighborhoods.