Projects

Creating a new community hub in downtown Nashville with the YMCA of Middle Tennessee

A transformative community renovation project for central Nashville.

Key information

Client YMCA of Middle Tennessee

Location Tennessee

Project type Real estate

Services Cost and commercial management, Controls and performance, Project management

Project timeline 2020 - Ongoing

Contact

Lisa Woodruff

Head of Integration and Growth, North America

+1 615 725 6106

Responding to Nashville’s needs

A major refurbishment of the YMCA’s landmark central Nashville property to provide a unique community resource, supporting residents’ wellbeing through healthy living, youth development and social responsibility initiatives. This project is our largest pro bono project ever undertaken in North America.

The new “Downtown Y” will add 60,000 sq ft to the original building, creating a 180,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art facility designed to meet Nashville’s growing need for community wellbeing resources. It will include expanded gym spaces, meeting rooms, a children’s play area, and a new indoor aquatics center. Once complete, the YMCA will be a place where people across generations can connect and support one another on their wellbeing journeys.

Project story

Mitigating construction side effects

The building will serve as a hub for physical fitness and recreation while also fostering social connection and enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors. Located between two high-rise residential towers, 1000 Church Street sits in the heart of downtown Nashville—an area with heavy foot and vehicle traffic. Because the YMCA will remain open during construction, coordinating material deliveries and managing noise and dust are critical to keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly.

Collaboration and engagement

A key part of our role is leading engagement and collaboration among multiple stakeholders throughout construction to support a successful outcome. We are providing—on a partial pro bono basis—project and cost management services as well as project controls, to help ensure the work is completed on schedule and within budget.

“Turner & Townsend has provided real value as a trusted partner on all our major expansion projects from 2020 onwards. From negotiating contracts to evaluating risk, the team has worked with contractors to make sure costs are kept down, while continuing to deliver the quality required.

We can't give enough credit to Turner & Townsend for helping us do that. The legacy of this project is that we’ll be able to serve downtown Nashville residents for decades to come.”

Chip Howorth
Property Committee Chair
Middle Tennessee YMCA Association