Franklin, Tennessee – Southern Land Company, a multi-faceted real estate developer, broke ground this week on a 40,000-square-foot retail project within its mixed-use McEwen neighborhood’s Southside district. Completion for this next phase of construction is scheduled for fall 2012.

The additional Southside at McEwen retail district announcement comes immediately on the heels of the 45,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market’s grand opening on May 18th; Brixx Wood Fired Pizza’s plans for opening a 3,800 SF full service restaurant in the McEwen Office Building; the construction of a Bricktop’s restaurant; and the relocation of Carlisle Transportation Products’ headquarters – 28,000 square feet of commercial space, also in the McEwen Building.

All recent development activity is located within McEwen’s Southside district located at the corner of Mallory Lane and West McEwen Drive.

“This is turning into a very active corner for retail and commercial development,” said Paul Neuroth, SVP of leasing for Southern Land Company. “Retailers in particular are showing a tremendous amount of interest in the Southside district, and we will be announcing signed leases in the very near future.”

The next phase of work includes the construction of two buildings as well as parking. One building will be 34,000 SF multi tenant building located on the west side of the Whole Foods Market, and the second will be a 6,000 SF multi tenant building just east of the public green. . Southern Land’s commercial and landscape architecture studios have overseen all design aspects of the project. SLC Commercial Construction will serve as the general contractor for the project.

About McEwen

McEwen is a mixed-use development located on 93 acres in Franklinʼs Cool Springs market. Approximately 50 percent of the property has been developed. Uses identified in the masterplan include retail, restaurant, residential, and office – all four of which are currently represented in the community. Southern Land was also responsible for the construction of West McEwen Drive, which connects Mallory Lane at I-65 with the eastern section of Cool Springs Boulevard.

By Donna O’Neil, Managing Editor doneil@williamsonherald.com Williamson Herald

Recent ribbon cuttings, plans for two live-work communities in Williamson County’s largest cities and corporate headquarters locating in Williamson County are all signs the local economy is making a turn for the better.

NHC Place introduced the public to their expanded assisted living facility and new Aspen Arbor Memory Care Residence unit two weeks ago. The facility now provides care and residence for more than 270 senior and memory care patients.

There was a ceremonial ground breaking in February 2010, but plans for the project were compiled well before that. Only six years prior the facility opened it’s doors to the community as a “prototype” providing assisted living and long-term care on one campus. The facility has more than doubled in size since the doors were opened in 2004.

Late in May, Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, along with County Mayor Rogers Anderson and Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore, announced Carlisle Transportation Products, a new venture, would locate the company’s corporate headquarters in Franklin. At the time of the announcement the plans called for 28,000 square feet of office space in the McEwen Building, at West McEwen Drive and Mallory Lane in Franklin.

The Carlisle Transportation Products announcement follows several large scale relocations, most recently and notably Jackson Life Insurance, and retail expansions, including the newly opened Whole Foods Market and the planned opening in late summer of the 170-seat new Brixx Wood Fired Pizza restaurant.

Matt Largen, Director of the Office of Economic Development for Williamson County, said, “We are seeing an increase in activity and companies are starting to make decisions. In 2009 there was little activity and companies were not making decisions. That changed beginning in the third quarter of 2010. Now, there is significant activity and companies are moving forward with expansion, consolidation, and relocation plans. We have, fortunately, been the beneficiaries of those plans.”

He said, “So far this fiscal year, companies have announced plans to eventually add more than 2,000 jobs to the Williamson County economy. As I talk to my colleagues around the country I realize how fortunate we are to experience this kind of growth. No community our size has seen this level of dynamism in the last year. Projects like Berry Farms will keep the momentum going as we continue to brand ourselves as the location for corporate headquarters in the Nashville market and in the Southeast.”

Last week, two antique tractors, symbolic of shovels, dug deep into the rich soil on land known as Berry Farms. At the ground-breaking plans featuring Phase 1 of a multi-phased live-work development were displayed for the early morning crowd to see.

Town Center is the first location to be developed in Berry Farms. Phase I activity is now underway at the Lewisburg Pike and Goose Creek Bypass intersection.

According to project documents, “the plan for Phase I includes 11 commercial lots with approximately 70,000 square feet of retail, as well as Hughes Mills at Berry Farms, which will include 53 residential lots. The Residences of Berry Farms will offer a broad range of residential opportunities, from townhomes and cottages to village homes (traditionally designed one- and two-story homes), and custom homes on larger scale lots. Amenities will include strategically placed open spaces and parks, as well as a neighborhood pool.”

“The commercial portion of Phase I will include retail shops, restaurants, banks and services to meet the needs of the community in a vibrant, unique setting.”

Additionally, a similar project is slated for Brentwood’s Towne Centre. The project, now under consideration by the Planning Office and City Commission, proposes just fewer than 400 individually-deeded units, which when built will be rentals. Developers told city commissioners they chose rental over sales, citing the need to proceed carefully until the economy stabilizes.

Largen said, “Our office is tracking 35 projects, companies considering relocating to, staying in, or expanding in Williamson County. Of those 35, we are actively communicating with 19, and the overwhelming majority have a regional, national, or international headquarter component. Finally, the site location consultants I have a close relationship with tell me they are seeing a significant level of activity too, which will eventually translate to an increase in activity on the community level.”

Posted on: 6/23/2011

Restaurant Will Offer Extensive Menu; Full-Service Bar, Live Music, and Outdoor Seating

Franklin, Tenn – Brixx Wood Fired Pizza will open its doors – the first time in Williamson County – late this summer with a 170-seat capacity restaurant and bar with patio seating overlooking  northern vistas of Cool Springs.

The restaurant will be occupy 3,380 square feet in the McEwen Building, a commercial office and retail building located within the larger McEwen mixed-use community; a Southern Land Company development.  The McEwen building is located off W. McEwen Drive, just west of Mallory Lane, and within walking distance of the recently opened Whole Foods Market.

Marc and Jenni Hanmer, in partnership with long-time family friend Al Bridges, chose McEwen as an ideal location for the acclaimed franchise which began in the historic Dilworth area of Charlotte, North Carolina in 1998. Marc Hanmer and Bridges have more than 20 years combined experience in management of national restaurant chains. Brixx will be owner operated.

“We are very excited to bring the Brixx menu and atmosphere to the Cool Springs market,” said Jenni Hanmer, marketing director for the venture.  “We are confident that the quality of the food, a full service bar, and the plentiful outdoor seating will give people a fun new alternative for dining and socializing in Franklin. We also think this will evolve into a great place to hear live music from local musicians.”

Brixx characterizes its food as delicious, fresh and simple.  Pizzas are handcrafted with variations on the traditional such as Mexican style and Jerk Chicken.  Salads are made fresh daily, and can be topped with chicken, shrimp, or salmon. Beyond pizza, patrons can order wraps, pasta dishes and sandwiches.

For the after work and weekend crowds, Brixx will host a full-service bar with a large variety of wine, 24 beers on tap, and signature cocktails. For beer connoisseurs, there is the MBA program – short for Masters of Beer Appreciation. Completing this curriculum involves 32 different types of beer, with graduates receiving a $50 pizza party as a diploma for their hard work.

Brixx will offer 111 indoor seats and 58 patio seats. The elevation of the McEwen Building  is one of the highest in Williamson County, providing Brixx patio patrons with a horizon-line view of Cool Springs and north to Nashville.

Brixx is open from 11am to 1am daily. Live music will be booked most evenings, and the full menu is available until closing. After 10pm, each pizza is buy one, get one free every night.

Brixx has locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Click here to visit Brixx on-line.

click here to view a 3-D rendering of Brixx at McEwen: Brixx McEwen Building