The old Coca Cola Bottling Plant on Church Street, built in the 1920s. Credit: Stephanie Saujon
A nearly 200-year old cemetery and the outbuildings of an antebellum home are on this year’s list of the most endangered historic properties in Nashville. But as the so-called Nashville Nine were announced today, much of the focus was on the place that also played host to the event: RCA Studio A.
The 50-year old studio is the last standing example of RCA Victor’s grandest and largest recording facilities. The building it’s in was sold this summer; now it’s headed for demolition. Music producer Trey Bruce leads a group that’s rushing to brainstorm some kind of solution before the wrecking ball arrives:
“After it’s gone it’ll be too late for a great idea for this property. We have to do it while it’s still here. If it’s impossible, then we tried. If it’s only hard and difficult, then we have to do it.”
That’s the kind of attitude Historic Nashville hopes to drum up for all of the properties on the list, like Donelson’s antebellum Belair Mansion, and the Trail West Building on Lower Broad.
This year’s Nashville Nine also includes Printers Alley—not specific buildings so much as the entertainment district as a whole. Developers currently intend to renovate several of the buildings to create a boutique hotel, a move that would likely curtail the nightlife Printer’s Alley is known for.
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A full list of the Nashville Nine
Albert Samuel Warren House – 1812 Broadway, built around 1888:
Credit: Stephanie Saujon
Belair Mansion – 2250 Lebanon Road, constructed from 1832-1838:
Credit: Stephanie Saujon
Coca Cola Bottling Plant – 1525 Church Street, built in the 1920s:
Credit: Stephanie Saujon
Hamilton Church Cemetery – 3105 Hamilton Church Rd. dates from 1831:
Credit: Stephanie Saujon
Hillsboro High School – 3812 Hillsboro Pike, built 1954:
Credit: Stephanie Saujon
Printers Alley Historic District – between 3rd Ave. N. and 4th Ave. N. downtown, buildings from 1874-1929:
Credit: Stephanie Saujon
RCA Studio A – 30 Music Square West, built in 1964:
Credit: Stephanie Saujon
Sunnyside Outbuildings – 300 Granny White Pike, built in the early 19th century:
Credit: Stephanie Saujon
Trail West Building – 217-221 Broadway, built in the early 1900s:
Credit: Stephanie Saujon
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