Street-level shot of a modern residential and retail block, highlighting a metal-clad cider bar building alongside a brick and glass apartment building with private balconies. Row of modern townhomes and apartments featuring a mix of red brick, dark gray metal, and silver siding with small balconies and sidewalk-level entrances. Wide street view of a modern urban neighborhood featuring mixed-use buildings with retail like Sassafras Market & Deli on the ground floor and residential units above, with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and tree-lined streets. Close-up of a contemporary apartment building with a vertically striped facade in dark gray and silver metal panels, large windows, and cantilevered balconies above a retail base.

The Finery – 1260 Martin & 610 Merritt

Smith Gee Studio (SGS) is leading the master plan and design for The Finery, a bold mixed-use development transforming a stretch of former industrial land in Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. The vision: to create a walkable, artisan-centered community that supports up to 490 homes and 80,000 sf of commercial space—all rooted in the area’s industrial legacy and growing reputation as an arts hub.

Two early projects, 1260 Martin and 610 Merritt, bring this vision to life. 1260 Martin, a 47-unit condominium development, played a key role in jumpstarting the neighborhood’s revitalization. The building combines one- and two-bedroom flats with unique mezzanine-style live/work lofts that activate the street—especially during the neighborhood’s well-known art crawls. A solid masonry base gives way to a striking cantilevered metal upper floor, dotted with Juliet balconies and colorful window boxes that reflect the creative spirit of its residents.

Inside, SGS collaborated with local artisans to create custom kitchen islands, directly supporting the area’s maker economy. At 610 Merritt, the design includes 14 townhomes, six live/work units with garages, and over 4,000 sf of commercial space. Industrial materials and modern metal finishes mix with classic brick details, paying homage to the neighborhood’s roots while embracing its future as a destination for creatives.

Year:

2017

Location:

Nashville, TN

Architect:

Smith Gee Studio

Client:

Core Development

Services:

Architecture, Interior Design, Master Planning, & Entitlements