McEwen Northside
The Challenge
In the wake of COVID-19, market demand for commercial office space changed drastically. Many company executives are now learning how to make decisions in the new era of “return to work,” when employees are questioning if office space is really needed.
The McEwen Northside mixed-use development offers a new type of work environment in the suburbs, providing leading-edge office space, high-quality amenities, walkability, restaurants, retail and more. The client was focused on placemaking and creating a destination or “downtown” area for the Cool Springs community of Franklin — not just an office park.
-
Client
Boyle Investment Company
-
Location
Franklin, Tennessee
-
Size
851,000 square feet of office, restaurant, and retail; two hotels; and over 1,000 apartments with 10 acres of green space
-
Distinguishing Features
- Block A serves is first major structure visitors experience visually
- Block E is the tallest in the complex at nine stories
- Connected, walkable urban experience in Cool Springs sub-market
- State-of-the-art office floors featuring various amenities
- Activated ground-floor retail
- Two “jewel box” buildings located along a public green
The Design Solution
The 45-acre development is the latest in suburban mixed-use, combining office, retail, restaurants, and multi-family. TMP designed Block A, a 160,0000-square-foot office building, and its sister building, Block E, sitting at 293,000 square feet — which will also be TMP’s new home in spring 2025 — as well as the associated parking structure.
TMP designed the shell for Fink’s Jewelers, a high-end jewelry store next to Block A, and a liner building along the parking deck across from Block E.
As the first major structure visible to visitors at McEwen Northside, Block A creates an iconic corner with thoughtful consideration given to the overall context of the streetscape and pedestrian experience. Class-A office space is situated over street-level retail space, and the building features two first-to-market restaurants and a parking structure to accommodate the needs of all.
Block E is comprised of four buildings: a nine-story office over retail, 915-space parking deck, 23,600-square-foot liner building, and a bridge connector. The high-rise office is the tallest in the complex and the first concrete-framed office building in the Cool Springs market. The lobby design was thoughtful and intentional, and the pass-through connects the main street side to the internal building, allowing patrons to go straight from parking to retail instead of having to walk around the building. Thoughtful consideration into lighting and biophilia was put into the public lobby spaces, and amenities include large conference rooms and fitness facilities.
Design components include unique materials for aesthetic expression, such as the concrete frame, use of polished concrete for lobby floors, wood baffles within the lobby and a large green wall. TMP wanted to use materials that evoked an industrial chic design with a touch of hospitality.
Project Images
The Design Impact
A true case study of placemaking within the suburbs, McEwen Northside is an example of what the next generation of office buildings and mixed-use post-COVID-19 should be. The development provides walkability and amenities for people to live, work, and play, helping business owners create environments where employees want to be.
testimonial
“I was onsite yesterday and walked the entire area. I am excited about how the building is coming together. This may be one of the best-designed office buildings we’ve done with TMP. Keep up the good work.”
- Phil Fawcett, Managing Partner, Boyle Investment Company
