Aertson Midtown

Situated along the sweeping bend of Broadway and 21st Street adjacent to the northeast entrance of Vanderbilt University, the Aertson Midtown provides a dynamic gateway to the 21st Street commercial corridor. The broader urban design study expands the scope of the site, envisioning a new neighborhood center that utilizes university-owned parking lots for mixed-use buildings and public gathering spaces. The master plan reorients 21st Street South where it crosses in front of the campus to join Division Street, creating a powerful axial alignment that is terminated by a public court.

The massing and architectural language of the project sensitively break down the length of the site into a contextually appropriate scale, giving the appearance of multiple buildings composing one block. The North Building’s orientation takes advantage of the views of the Nashville skyline, relates architecturally to the contemporary downtown high rises, and provides a physical announcement of the transition to the university neighborhood. The South Buildings massing is lower and steps down along the street facing the university, creating a comfortable urban edge. The South Building’s architecture strengthens the sense of character and local identity of the place.

A major project goal was to create an authentic “community within the community” which captures the eclectic and vibrant nature of Nashville itself. The mix of uses -hotel, residential, and retail - complement each other and serve to address the needs of a variety of people. The residential units feature a range of sizes from studios to three-bedroom units, providing housing for students, young professionals, university staff, and empty nesters. The project's namesake is Jan Aertson, the great-great-grandfather of railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt who founded the university in 1873. Artwork in both the residential building and the hotel pays homage to the history and the creative vibe of the overall city.

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