The groundbreaking for the 231 Public Square project, which will put a rooftop restaurant in downtown Franklin, is set.
“The groundbreaking is June 27, and then we will start tearing things down in the first week of July,” said Bernie Butler, one of the project’s developers.
The city of Franklin has issued a demolition permit to the developers which include majority investor Charles Crews of Crews Investment Properties, Butler of D9 Developments, Brian Schiedemeyer of Heartland Partners.
The project encompasses the renovation of the First Tennessee Building adding street level and rooftop restaurants and second-and-third-floor office space on the square in downtown Franklin.
First Tennessee Bank customers will be routed to a temporary office and vault by the site, which the city of Franklin has issued permits for.
Set to open in the summer of 2017, the 231 Public Square project will be capable of accommodating up to 500 guests.
The rooftop restaurant will be 9,400 square feet, with a 360-degree view of downtown Franklin. The building will also add a 2,500-square-foot ground level restaurant and 20,000 square feet of Class A office space on two floors. The new lobby will feature a 14-foot high first-floor windows, as well as an architectural stairwell, will greet customers.
The development plan says that parking will be off-site, meaning on the street or in the 3rd Avenue or 4th Avenue parking garages. The lot at First Tennessee will still be open, but will be devoted to those working in the building. The city-owned garages can hold 350 cars. The plan says that, all in all, more than 400 spaces are available to hold any additional parking needs.
A long-term solution to the increased demand for parking as downtown Franklin continues to grow- in terms both of development and popularity, of course, is the planned $87M Harpeth Square development scheduled to break ground in downtown in 2016. The project–a 155 room hotel, 155 apartments, 15,000 square feet of retail space– includes plans for a 600-space parking garage, essentially doubling the garage capacity in downtown Franklin. The project is set to start construction in 2016, so will dovetail nicely with any increased parking pressure from the 231 Public Square project.
The 231 Public Square project will have its main access off of 2nd Avenue South as well as two alternate access points further south on 2nd Avenue South
Essentially, the renovation will add 20 feet to the west side of the building facing the square.
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I know we must keep up with the times, but I already miss the quaintness of the small town feeling like it was in the 70’s! It was great way back when. It is still a great city, but do we want to forget what we had? NO! So thankful for revival of the Franklin Theatre. I spent many nights in that place, in the 70’s! I won’t be here in 20 years, but I hope somehow, the new kids in town will always keep the great small town feeling that I grew to love so many years ago! God bless Franklin!!
i agree with Cindy. Franklin is a ‘one of a kind’ small town with more than lots to offer including rich history. It’s one of the top small cities in the country. So glad Franklin Theatre was preserved. It is my hope that Franklin can maintain that special feel for posterity.