Built around 1920, this 2-1/2 story foursquare is typical of many single-family homes in Nashville's Music Row neighborhood: brick construction, a deep roof overhang, gabled front porch with stone columns. Many of these homes have now been converted to music studios and music-related businesses, while others now house professional offices and non-profits, and still others have become multifamily residences.

The existing building could not function as-is for the new owners, Hailsolve, a Nashville-based commercial property risk management and restoration business. They needed flexible open office space, some small private work spaces, and larger meeting rooms. Having always been a tenant, this was HailSolve's first opportunity to make a building truly their own. The process of restoring the building was seen as a value-added procedure instead of a liability. Maintaining a balance between the building's history and 21st century office needs allowed the house to get new life.

In a state of disrepair, most of the interior was removed as it had been modified many times and could not serve the new users as-is: walls had multiple layers of plaster, drywall and wallpaper. The original monumental stair at the front entry was, from the project's conception, considered a "showpiece" and was preserved and repainted. The lead glass at the front door transom and sidelights were restored. All windows were replaced. Original 3-wythe brick walls were exposed on the interior, repointed and sealed. The existing interior oak floors were refinished. The attic space was "made legal" and the alley-side dormer of the attic was removed and reconnected to the new rear addition, adding functionality to the pyramidal space and bringing in daylight. Exterior wood trim was either restored or replaced to match existing, including column capitals, brackets and soffits. New copper gutters and downspouts replaced the existing painted steel ones. A stone front walkway was added to replace the cracked concrete, and a new front stair was installed.

The Secretary of the Interior's standards aligned with the new owners' goals for the work: protect the historically relevant portions of the building, repair vs replace wherever possible, additions are tertiary and differentiated.

The project's success ensures the 100+ year old building remains both a viable and valuable part of the neighborhood's fabric. Going into the work, the owners knew that purchase of this specific building wasn't the same as a new build or non-historic renovation project. But the building's appeal was it's history, stateliness, and location. Consequently, the design's approach was to preserve all of those characteristics.

HailSolve intends to use this property as its home for years to come. While the money invested in the building and renovation project are not insignificant, the owners feel the investment is worthwhile as they have a unique building, designed for the company's growth, in a diverse and walkable part of the city.

The project can also serve as a paradigm for other would-be renovators. Very few compromises had to be made due to the building's age and "status". Instead of fighting against the building's idiosyncrasies, many were celebrated. The end result is a success for the owners, the neighborhood, and Nashville.