The Motley Breaks Ground

The Motley, a new, mixed-use residential project designed by HASTINGS Architecture and developed by IPB Properties, will bring more than a thousand unique rental homes and activated commercial spaces to midtown Nashville. Located at 1401 Church Street, the three-tower development – whose name reflects the variety and diversity of Nashville, as well as the goal of creating a universally welcoming space – will transform the site of a former dairy factory into a vibrant community hub befitting of Music City.

HASTINGS’ design envisions a new, contemporary "urban village” while paying homage to the site's industrial heritage. The overall conceptual approach was inspired by the masonry industrial structures that previously occupied the site, as well as the plant’s stainless steel dairy tanks or silos. Three towers dotted around a central plaza frame the downtown skyline. The tower façades are crafted from precast panels that feature the “impression” of the silos. The result is an architectural expression that showcases façade and massing carves and setbacks that reflect the property’s industrial legacy. The base features “dancing” arches, while various pathways and portals that lead to the central plaza create a layered outdoor experience for residents and visitors.

Because this new urban community is set on a former industrial site, the project required rezoning. The design and development teams focused on approvals that would help foster a strong sense of community and interconnection, integrated planning and mobility, and walkability to and from surrounding neighborhoods. A four-story parking structure located below grade allows for continuous above-grade activation. A heavily landscaped grand “stramp” (stair and ramp) completes a major pedestrian connection from the plaza to the northeast corner – a major pathway to nearby office destinations – and forms a gateway while navigating a twelve-foot grade change. Vehicular access points are located out of the way of pedestrians, and the service entry is concealed by a sloped dog park above the access ramp.

This new mixed-use development addresses the increasing demand for rental properties driven by the city's significant population growth. The Motley will include nearly 1,200 distinctive rental homes and more than 70,000 square feet of locally-inspired commercial spaces. ​​Located blocks from Downtown Nashville, it is part of a developing mixed-use corridor along Church Street that includes Amazon’s Innovation Center, Nashville Yards, and Asurion’s Gulch Hub Headquarters, also designed by HASTINGS.

“Our designs for both the exterior and interior of The Motley not only honor the history of the former industrial site, but also create a new paradigm for what a modern urban village in the center of Nashville can be,” says HASTINGS Principal David Bailey. “It is both a linkage and a destination – inhabitants and pedestrians alike are encouraged to experience the site through walkable pathways and mixed-use focal points designed to foster community and interactivity.”

“The concept for The Motley is deeply inspired by Nashville’s way of life,” says David McCutcheon, Vice President, US Operations, IPB Properties. “As the name suggests, it is home to a diverse collection of amenities and offerings that are welcoming and inclusive to every resident and visitor.”

The project will be built in three phases. The first phase includes a 26-floor residential tower at 14th and Church Streets that features 326 high-quality rental homes ranging from studio to two-bedroom layouts. During construction, a collection of distinct illustrations on three 20-foot-tall pillars will prominently front The Motley. The illustrated characters were created by four artists – including Nashville’s Maggie Sanger – to convey the diverse communities and experiences The Motley represents. 

Construction on the first phase is anticipated to be completed in 2027.