HFR Design Legacy Projects

HFR DESIGN

LEGACY PROJECTS Archived Projects from 1910-2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FIRM PROFILE THE PARTHENON RYMAN AUDITORIUM BRIDGESTONE ARENA NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY TN EXECUTIVE RESIDENCE THE FROST BUILDING BERRY FIELD

HFR Design was hired in 1935 to design an addition to the Third National Bank Building.

FIRM PROFILE

LEGACY

HFR Design began in 1910 in Nashville, TN when a young architect named Russell Hart left New York for Nashville to oversee the construction of the Hermitage Hotel. Nearly a decade after Hart’s arrival, he joined forces with engineers F. Eugene Freeland and Martin S. Roberts to form Nashville’s first major architectural and engineering firm. Our founders set the precedent for the values we hold true today – innovative design, strong client relationships, and collaborative processes that foster truly great results.

Within our firm’s history, we have been privileged to work on projects that have gained iconic status in Nashville. In fact, it’s almost impossible to sightsee in Nashville without seeing one of our legacy projects.

These projects include the Parthenon at Centennial Park, the Ryman Auditorium, the Tennessee Governor’s Residence, Bridgestone Arena, the Nashville Public Library Main Branch, the Village at Green Hills (now the Green Hills Mall), and so many more.

PURPOSE Staffed between three offices and licensed in over 30 states, HFR’s collaborative practice of registered architects, planners, engineers, surveyors, and interior designers serve an ever-expanding list of clientele across the United States. Our clientele list ranges, and includes government agencies, healthcare providers, private businesses, educational institutions, and religious organizations – but we have built decades-long relationships with many of them as repeat customers by providing an excellence in service and design that is true to the standards set forth by founders Hart, Freeland, and Roberts.

At HFR, we believe that our history is bridged with our future through communication, adaptability, technology, and integrity. We have the rare privilege of welcoming innovation and retaining the best of our distinguished history through our work with clients across the country.

The Parthenon Nashville, TN Scope: Permanent reconstruction of the Nashville Parthenon Completed: 1931

This lion’s head, one of the figures on the two bronze doors, was sketched by Hart in the late 1920s.

“WHEN THE CONTACT OF TIME AND ELEMENTS HAVE WORKED THEIR ARTISTIC EFFECTS IN GENTLY-DISTRIBUTED PASTEL SHADES, IT WILL THEN ENTER ITS MERIDIAN SEASON OF BEAUTY.” Russell E. Hart Originally erected in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, The Parthenon became such a beloved Nashville Landmark that the temporary structure stood until 1920.

At that time, HFR founder Russell E. Hart was selected to restore The Parthenon to a permanent and historically accurate structure.

Hart traveled to Greece in order to study the ruins of the real Parthenon, receiving information about the original temple from the King of Greece.

Meticulous research lead Hart to the 1674 sketches of French artist and draftsman, Jacques Carrey.

When The Parthenon opened in 1931, it featured indoor heating, the largest set of matching bronze doors in America (executed to Harts detail), and 54 meticulously recreated sculptures. All of the replica’s columns (as in the Greek original) are different in diameter from those beside them and are also spaced differently, giving them a smoothness not seen in other columns.

Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN Scope: Rehabilitation and Expansion Completed: Ongoing from 1940-1994

THE VENERABLE RYMAN AUDITORIUM IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN TO COUNTRY MUSIC FANS THE WORLD OVER. Originally constructed in 1899 for a grand total of $100,000, the Ryman Auditorium has become a country music fixture. HFR Design’s involvement with the Ryman began in the early 1940s, when our firm began work on additions to the facility.

HFR assisted with upgrades through 1957, including a separate control room, exterior upgrades, restroom facilities, a first floor level ticket booth, and a renovated entrance.

The once lively Ryman fell silent between 1974-1980 when the Grand Ole Opry outgrew the venue. In 1987, new owner Gaylord Entertainment hired HFR to make a stabilization study. This was an intensive project that involved surveyors, designers, engineers, historians, conservators and materials scientist. It was determined that the beloved landmark was in dire need of upgrades to ensure it’s future.

Thus began a two-phase project lasting 7 years that included stabilization, roof repair, rehabilitation, restoration, and a new addition. Exterior renovations included masonry cleaning and repairs to windows, stone, and sheet metal. The facility was rehabilitated into a first class entertainment venue. The original stage flooring, as well as pews were refinished and reinstalled.

Bridgestone Arena Nashville, TN Scope: Project Management, Civil and Environmental Engineering for a New Facility

“WE HAD TO DIG A GIGANTIC HOLE THAT WAS 60 FEET DEEP IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE, AND THAT WAS A BIG HOLE FOR THAT TIME.�

-HFR Project Member Bridgestone Arena , with a seating capacity of 20,000, is a multi-use facility in the heart of downtown Nashville. Home to the Nashville Predators, the facility is also used for premier concerts and theater.

HFR Design provided project management, civil and structural engineering, and geotechincal services for the arena. It was a meeting of great minds - our firm enjoyed working with internationally accredited architects and engineers on the project.

The facility spans two full city blocks, and required some skillful work on the part of our team. Features include a 22-story tower , 72 luxury suites, over 20,000 SF of backstage area, a central kitchen and full catering facilities, state-of-the-art media and locker rooms, and a 2-bay, 6 story, parking structure that adds an additional 310 parking spaces for Bridgestone Arena event attendees.

Acclaimed for its great acoustics, HFR Design was honored to work on this premier entertainment venue.

Nashville Public Library Main Branch Nashville, TN Scope: Structural and Civil Engineering for a New Facility

A CITY WITH A GREAT LIBRARY IS A GREAT CITY. Motto, Nashville Public Library

The Nashville Library is a 5-story 350,000 SF learning center located in the heart of downtown Nashville, TN. The project was awarded to Robert A.M. Stern & Associates, with HFR Design chosen as associate architect, at the conclusion of a six month competition composed of other local and world renowned architectural firms.

Featuring a large open foyer, the library has a volume capacity of over 1.2 million books and 1,200 reader seats along with 700 program rooms.

Four hundred parking spaces were provided underneath the structure.

Other highlights included a children’s story room and marionette theater, a grand reading room with reference and periodical areas, and several group study and conference rooms, and a conference center containing a 300 seat auditorium. An art gallery, cafe, gift shop, and commercial copy center are also housed in the library.

The library opened to the public on June 9, 2001. Citizens as well as tourists continue to value this Nashville landmark, for both it’s award winning staff and it’s stunning design.

Baptist Sunday School Board Frost Building Nashville, TN Scope: Exterior Stabilization & Interior Rehabilitation

DESIGNED BY OUR FOUNDING ARCHITECTS AND RENOVATED BY OUR FIRM IN 1992, THE HISTORIC FROST BUILDING IS A TRUE LEGACY PROJECT FOR OUR FIRM.

The Baptist Sunday School Board Frost Building was designed by architects Russell Hart and Thomas Gardner. Construction began in 1912 and was completed in 1914.

The historic Frost Building fronts onto 9th Avenue North and measures approximately 40,000 SF. Sullivan Tower, an eleven-story Art Deco style administrative tower, was designed by HFR in the 1940s.

It was completed in 1953.

In 1992, HFR was chosen to lead the design for an extensive exterior stabilization and interior rehabilitation of this 48,000 square foot building. The exterior work consisted of cleaning the limestone, roofing, and window and door replacement. On the interior, the historic first floor spaces were restored and a modern build-out was provided for the re-use of the remaining areas.

TN Executive Residence Nashville, TN Scope: Residence Restoration

ORIGINALLY DESIGNED BY HFR FOUNDER RUSSELL HART, HFR WAS SELECTED TO COMPLETE THE FIRST RESTORATION TO THIS HISTORIC HOME IN 70 YEARS. Commonly referred to as the Governor’s Mansion, the Tennessee Executive Residence was designed

by Russell E. Hart in 1931 as a private residence. In 1949, the residence was sold to the State of Tennessee. In 2003, Tennessee’s new First Lady, Andrea Conte, spearheaded the first restoration of the residence since it was privately owned. It was of utmost importance that the restoration preserve the historic integrity of the original design, while providing contemporary updates required to bring the house up to codes.

HFR Design’s team of architects, structural and civil engineers were ultimately chose for the detailed restoration of the residence. Completed in 2008, the Tennessee Executive Residence was restored to its original grandeur, with updates to communications, HVAC, wiring and lighting systems. The kitchen was modernized, and handicap accessibility issues were resolved.

This was a full circle project for our firm, allowing us to ensure that one of the Hart Houses would remain well on into the 21st Century.

Berry Field Nashville, TN Scope: New Facility for Administration Building, Assembly Building, and Municipal Hangar (1935); Control Tower (1941)

BERRY FIELD, NASHVILLE’S FIRST AIRPORT, SERVED 189,000 PASSENGERS IN ITS FIRST YEAR. -Fly Nashville

In 1935, Nashville Major Hillary Howse appointed a citizen committee to select a site for Nashville’s first commercial airport. After much deliberation, an area spanning 340 acres along the Dixie Highway (today known as Murfreesboro Road) was eventually chosen. Selected to design the administration building, the assembly building and the municipal hangar for the 105 Aero Squadron was HFR Founder Russell Hart. On November 1, 1936 Berry Field was named in honor of Colonel Harry S. Berry, state administrator of the works progress administration. The new airport officially opened in June 1937.

In 1941, Russell Hart designed a new control tower for the airport.

During World War II, the field served as the headquarters for the 4th Ferrying Command for movement of new aircraft oversees.

Nashville’s main airport is now located at a different site, not far from the original, and is known as Eleanor Roosevelt arrives at Berry Nashville International Airport.

Field during a visit to Nashville.