Affordable Housing, Luxury Feel at 12th & Wedgewood
One of the most important projects we’ve had the pleasure to work on is 12th & Wedgewood, an affordable housing multifamily development at, you guessed it, the intersection of 12th Ave. South and Wedgewood Ave. in Nashville’s Edgehill neighborhood.
In late 2016, we were approached by Elmington Capital Group and asked to serve as the architect on the project. We started on design right away and worked on the project over the next three years, finalizing the project in November 2019. It opened in early 2020.
Architectural and interior design
The 12th & Wedgewood site was small – just 0.7 acres – and very narrow, leaving only a few building configuration options. We decided to go with a linear design that would stretch along 12th Ave. South. The lot was steep, so the building had to step down to meet grade a few times throughout the property.
When working on affordable housing projects, staying within budget is a top priority. Producing a great design for the lowest overall cost is a challenge in itself. In addition, we had to contend with the parking situation. The most affordable parking option is surface parking but we didn’t have that option due to the site’s small size. Fortunately, we were able to put the parking below grade in an underground garage without busting the budget.
We ended up with a great product, both exterior and interior. The four-story building has 153 one- and two-bedroom units, featuring granite or quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and luxury vinyl plank flooring. Most units also have a full or Juliet balcony.
A business center, fitness center and green space are also on site. With some creative allocation of the budget, we were able to include many features and amenities in this project that usually aren’t in an affordable housing development.
We are especially proud of 12th & Wedgewood because we were able to give this development the luxury feel that Nashville’s new, multifamily developments have, but at an affordable price. We think it is one of the best values in apartment living in the city.
Affordable housing in Nashville
When Elmington Capital approached us, they had just bought the site – in one of the city’s hottest neighborhoods – from the city of Nashville. A caveat of the sale was that the land be used for affordable housing. Because of this agreement, 12th & Wedgewood was one of the first complexes of its kind in Davidson County. It was also the first project sponsored underneath the previous mayor’s affordable housing initiative.
This development will be maintained as affordable housing for at least 20 years. For residents to be eligible for tenancy, their income must not exceed the Nashville area’s median income. Maximum rent is no more than 30 percent of a renter’s income.
12th & Wedgewood was a great project for the city in general, helping increase the amount of affordable housing in the Nashville market. Prior to completion, the neighborhood did not have much contemporary development, but now, this complex bridges The Gulch and 12South neighborhoods. We’re excited to bring more projects like this to Nashville.
