CHICAGO, IL—The Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences, a new, 40-story, mixed-use luxury tower designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) breaks ground on Thursday, June 20. Located at 151 First Avenue South, the new tower brings refined design and engaging experiences to downtown Nashville. The 851,000-square-foot project consists of a five-star, 236-key Four Seasons Hotel; 143 luxury condominiums; 8,000 square feet of retail; and a 520-car parking facility.

Devon Patterson, Principal at SCB, said, “The building’s street presence was a major design driver for the seven-story podium. As a backdrop to the Ascend Amphitheater, it was important that the ground floors enhance the pedestrian experience of the area.” A cladding of warm-toned panels is punctuated with large expanses of translucent glass; the diffused images visible through the glazing activate the façade both during the day and after dark. The lobby space is enclosed with clear glass, creating a more immediate visual connection between street and interior.

Patterson elaborates on the design of the podium. “We wanted to create a building that embodied the ethos of Nashville and its music culture, and were drawn to the iconic image of an acoustic guitar; well-crafted of fine materials, the instrument’s aesthetic properties parallel the architectural detailing of the podium.”

Above the podium, a 37-story sleek glass tower rises, capturing views of the city and the Cumberland River for the building’s occupants. The fenestration and balcony composition continue the acoustic guitar design conceit; the tower elegantly recalls the fretted neck of the instrument. Amenity decks—one for hotel guests and one for residents—provide a private outdoor experience above the busy street. The project is targeting LEED Gold certification.

The Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences is SCB’s latest Nashville project; the firm was the architect and interior designer for the public spaces and shared amenities at 505, a 45-story residential tower in the city’s downtown, which opened in 2017.

“When Four Seasons choses to enter a market, it seeks to redefine what luxury quality, service, and lifestyle can be,” said Timothy D. Haskin, senior managing director of AECOM Capital. “To achieve the high standards of the Four Seasons, you have to assemble an exceptional team of architects, designers, and visionaries—and we’ve done just that with our project team.” In addition to SCB, team members for The Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences include HOK (interior design of residences), Marzipan (interior design of hotel and public spaces), Congress Group (developer), AECOM Capital (developer), and AECOM Hunt (contractor).