First look: $120M first phase of Northside McEwen in Cool Springs starts

Site work is underway for construction of the $120 million first phase of Northside McEwen, which overall will bring offices, apartments, a hotel, restaurant/retail spaces and greenspace to 45 acres in Cool Springs.

On Tuesday developers Boyle Investment Co. and Northwood Ravin provided the first glimpse of the mixed-use development. The first phase, which is targeted for completion next year, will include 200,000 square feet of offices, 26,000 square feet of retail space, three restaurant pads and 330 upscale apartment units.

“With an under 3 percent retail vacancy in the Brentwood/Cool Springs submarket, there’s still demand in that market for good quality development,” said David Baker, a principal in Nashville-based retail-focused real estate firm Baker Storey McDonald Properties, who isn’t involved with the Northside McEwen project.

Road improvements at the Northside McEwen site, which is west of the McEwen Drive and Interstate 65 interchange, will include extending Aspen Grove Drive from Jordan Road to McEwen Drive. Also, Northside McEwen will be connected to Cool Springs Boulevard. And a traffic signal planned at McEwen and Aspen Grove will connect the Whole Foods-anchored shopping center across the street to Northside McEwen.

Phil Fawcett, a partner with Boyle Investment, said Northside McEwen blends together an active lifestyle with work, rest and play by delivering a walkable, intimate and vibrant urban experience in the suburbs.

David Ravin, CEO of North Carolina-based multifamily developer, builder and property manager Northwood Ravin, said the apartment units planned at Northside McEwen will include 10-foot ceilings, designer kitchens and bathrooms, elevator access, a large health and fitness center, spa, resort pool and resident club. “Everything an active lifestyle commands is at the doorstep of the luxury residences,” he added.

Overall, Northside McEwen will be a multi-phased, $270 million development with roughly 750,000 square feet of office, more than 100,000 square feet of restaurants and specialty retail, a 150-room hotel, 580 upscale apartment units and greenspaces.

Originally Published in the Tennessean

By Getahn Ward