In Nashville’s bustling Germantown neighborhood, where brick warehouses stand as monuments to the city’s industrial past, a remarkable transformation has taken shape. Taylor Place, developed by Smith Gee Studio, represents more than just another mixed-use development—it’s a masterclass in how thoughtful design can honor history while creating vibrant community spaces.

The Vision Takes Shape

Taylor Place encompasses three distinct yet connected projects that showcase Smith Gee Studio’s commitment to preservation-minded development. At 602 Taylor Street, the firm created their own headquarters—a 2-story office building that serves as both workspace and design statement. Nearby, Hamilton and Hume House rises as a luxury residential development that seamlessly blends into the neighborhood’s historic fabric.

The crown jewel of the complex is the adaptive reuse of the historic Werthan Warehouse, a project that required delicate balance between preservation and progress. Rather than demolishing these industrial relics, Smith Gee Studio saw opportunity where others might have seen obstacles.

Design Philosophy in Action

What sets Taylor Place apart is its respect for context. The development doesn’t fight against Germantown’s industrial heritage—it celebrates it. Exposed brick, steel beams, and soaring ceilings in the Werthan Warehouse speak to the building’s manufacturing past, while modern interventions create comfortable, contemporary spaces.

The residential components at Hamilton and Hume House demonstrate how new construction can complement historic structures. Clean lines and modern materials create visual dialogue with the restored warehouse, proving that old and new can coexist beautifully.

Recognition and Awards

The architectural community has taken notice. Taylor Place projects have earned significant recognition:

602 Taylor Street garnered both an AIA Middle Tennessee Merit Award in 2022 and a Metropolitan Historical Commission Preservation Award the same year—a rare combination that speaks to both design excellence and preservation sensitivity.

The Werthan Warehouse earned multiple accolades across several years, including an AIA Middle Tennessee Merit Award in 2021, a Metropolitan Historical Commission Preservation Award in 2022, and culminating with the prestigious AIA Tennessee Award of Merit in 2024.

Hamilton and Hume House reached national recognition as a Finalist for the Best in American Living Awards in 2024, competing against projects from across the country.

More Than Buildings

Taylor Place represents something larger than its individual components. In a city grappling with rapid growth and development pressures, these projects demonstrate that progress doesn’t require erasure. Historic preservation and modern living can not only coexist—they can enhance each other.

The success of Taylor Place has implications beyond Germantown. It shows developers, architects, and city planners that thoughtful infill development can strengthen neighborhoods rather than disrupt them. The awards recognition validates this approach, proving that the architectural community values projects that prioritize context and community.

A Model for Nashville’s Future

As Nashville continues to evolve, Taylor Place stands as a blueprint for responsible development. Smith Gee Studio’s work here proves that great architecture doesn’t have to choose between honoring the past and embracing the future—it can do both.

For those interested in seeing how preservation and progress can work together, Taylor Place offers compelling evidence that Nashville’s best developments are those that understand where they’re building, not just what they’re building.

Taylor Place continues to evolve as a vital part of Germantown’s renaissance, proving that the most sustainable development is often the most respectful.