Nashville’s Beaman Automotive Demolished For 7-Tower MidCity Plan

A New Era for Midtown Nashville

Where once the sprawling empire of Beaman Automotive dealership stood, a pile of scrap metal now lies. The renowned Nashville landmark, a substantial family business founded in 1945 by Alvin Beaman, has been demolished, creating space for a transformational multi-use project.

The Midtown-area dealership, which by 2019 under the management of Alvin’s son Lee Beaman evolved into a $414 million company, was sold to Hudson Automotive Group in 2020. Consequently, the operations moved out of the Broadway site early last year, leaving the land vacant for redevelopment. In 2021, GBT Realty purchased the land for $110 million, devising a plan that will see the eight-acre property turned into a bustling hub known as the MidCity project.

The Rise of the MidCity Project

The demolition of the Beaman dealership marks the birth of a dynamic mixed-use development in the heart of midtown Nashville. In its place, seven towers will rise, ranging between 20 to 35 stories each, as per the final site plan submitted to Metro Nashville planning officials in February.

Glimpses of heavy demolition machinery across the site signal the inception of a project that aims to alter the landscape of the region significantly. Expected users of the forthcoming development are eager to move in, accelerating the progress of the project.

The MidCity project intends to establish a locale where people can work, play, and reside. Existing plans for the development suggest various retail, residential, and office spaces, with potential hotel components as well.

Phases of Construction for MidCity

The construction of MidCity is earmarked to take place in two phases. The first phase of development will see the construction of four towers, interposed by a pavilion, surrounded by a new road intersecting Broadway and McGavock Street. Following this, the second phase will include the construction of three additional towers surrounding a pedestrian plaza on the later half of the site near 16th Avenue.

The transformation will not only alter the facade of the region drastically, replacing the former sea of shiny Toyotas, but also pave pedestrian-friendly paths and add scenic greenery to the locale. Thus, aiming to enhance connectivity and access to housing in the downtown area.

The Anticipated Impact

The ambitious MidCity project is set to reshape Nashville’s Midtown Broadway corridor radically. Metro Councilmember Jacob Kupin, representing District 19—comprising downtown and the Beaman site, views the forthcoming redevelopment as a significant step towards the city’s metamorphosis. He anticipates that the additional property tax from the redeveloped site will assist the local government in funding future essential services.

The realization of the MidCity project marks another notch in the city’s growth and expansion. Kupin expressed his excitement about the unprecedented opportunities this new development holds for Nashville. He believes endeavors like MidCity suggest to the world that Nashville is willing to embrace growth and reinvent itself with changing times.

“It’s exciting to see this growth and development. We have a really unique opportunity in Nashville,” Kupin added.

Design and Contribution

The MidCity project derives its aesthetic appeal from the concerted efforts of renowned architects FX Collaborative, GNN, and Gensler. Their contribution to the project’s design adds yet another layer of anticipation for the city’s residents, spectators, and potential users.