225 Polk, a former Nashville Public Library building, has undergone an adaptive reuse project to become the new HQ for Hastings Architecture. The building also houses the United Talent Agency and space for McAlpine, a residential architecture and interior design firm. Hastings occupies 24,000 sf of the building with space for the team of more than 85 architects, interior designers, and planners.
The building’s facade is composed of Georgia Cherokee marble panels and 16’ tall glass. All of the marble was cleaned, repaired, and/or replaced with new, perfectly matched marble from the original marble quarry. The original terrazzo floor in the lobby was refurbished, as was the terrazzo-clad monumental stair connecting the two main floors. The architectural interventions of the adaptive reuse were limited to a black and white color palette with walnut accents inspired by the original building’s interiors.
The Athenaeum, a 1,500-sf community room is accessible to the public and intended for use by community organizations and non-profit groups located on the first floor off the main lobby. The Athenaeum seats 100 and has standing room for up to 300 people.
See Also: The world’s largest cricket stadium opens
“This structure was built in 1965 to serve the people of Nashville as a public library,” said William Hastings, Partner at Hastings, in a release. “It was important that our design ensured that part of this historic building would remain accessible to the public and provide the community with a gathering place.”
Related Stories
Office Buildings | May 20, 2024
10 spaces that are no longer optional to create a great workplace
Amenities are no longer optional. The new role of the office is not only a place to get work done, but to provide a mix of work experiences for employees.
Office Buildings | May 16, 2024
New Gensler report calls for workplace design that responds to employees’ ‘human emotions’
High performing offices are linked to how well they leverage amenities.
Adaptive Reuse | May 9, 2024
Hotels now account for over one-third of adaptive reuse projects
For the first time ever, hotel to apartment conversion projects have overtaken office-to-residential conversions.
Biophilic Design | May 6, 2024
The benefits of biophilic design in the built environment
Biophilic design in the built environment supports the health and wellbeing of individuals, as they spend most of their time indoors.
Retail Centers | May 3, 2024
Outside Las Vegas, two unused office buildings will be turned into an open-air retail development
In Henderson, Nev., a city roughly 15 miles southeast of Las Vegas, 100,000 sf of unused office space will be turned into an open-air retail development called The Cliff. The $30 million adaptive reuse development will convert the site’s two office buildings into a destination for retail stores, chef-driven restaurants, and community entertainment.
Mixed-Use | Apr 23, 2024
A sports entertainment district is approved for downtown Orlando
This $500 million mixed-use development will take up nearly nine blocks.
AEC Innovators | Apr 15, 2024
3 ways the most innovative companies work differently
Gensler’s pre-pandemic workplace research reinforced that great workplace design drives creativity and innovation. Using six performance indicators, we're able to view workers’ perceptions of the quality of innovation, creativity, and leadership in an employee’s organization.
Laboratories | Apr 15, 2024
HGA unveils plans to transform an abandoned rock quarry into a new research and innovation campus
In the coastal town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., an abandoned rock quarry will be transformed into a new research and innovation campus designed by HGA. The campus will reuse and upcycle the granite left onsite. The project for Cell Signaling Technology (CST), a life sciences technology company, will turn an environmentally depleted site into a net-zero laboratory campus, with building electrification and onsite renewables.
Mixed-Use | Apr 4, 2024
Sustainable mixed-use districts: Crafting urban communities
As a part of the revitalization of a Seattle neighborhood, Graphite Design Group designed a sustainable mixed-use community that exemplifies resource conversation, transportation synergies, and long-term flexibility.
Office Buildings | Apr 2, 2024
SOM designs pleated façade for Star River Headquarters for optimal daylighting and views
In Guangzhou, China, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has designed the recently completed Star River Headquarters to minimize embodied carbon, reduce energy consumption, and create a healthy work environment. The 48-story tower is located in the business district on Guangzhou’s Pazhou Island.
