Wheelock Street Capital has submitted plans for the adaptive reuse of the North Cap Center Office tower into a new residential mixed-use development. The project includes the redevelopment of the existing office building and garage as well as a new ground-up addition. The new development proposes 358 units and will activate the bordering streets with more than 12,000 SF of retail space. The project is located at 300 James Robertson Parkway.



Slide the image to see What’s Now & Next
Image credit R2L Architects via Metro
The adaptive reuse of office buildings has been an ongoing trend even before the start of the pandemic. According to CNBC, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia had the greatest number of office to multifamily conversions in 2020 and 2021; Los Angeles & Cleveland has the most units planned for 2022.
A request for modification has been submitted on the two properties located along James Robertson Parkway zoned DTC. Once approved, it will permit the residential mixed-use project on the 1.28-acre site. The requested was made by R2L Architects, on behalf of the developer. Here’s the quick rundown:
Development Rundown

North Cap Center
- What’s Now: Office Towers
- What’s Next: Mixed-use Development
- Developer: Wheelock Street Capital
- Architect: R2L Architects (Rendering Credits)
- Civil: Kimley-Horn
Building Stats
- 22 Floors
- 358 Units
- 12,413 SF of Retail
- 403 Parking Spaces

The Project proposes a mix of studio, 1, 1+Den, and 2-bedrrom apartments. Amenities include coworking space, movie screening room, large fitness center, bike storage, infinity edge pool deck amenity, lounge areas, and both an indoor/outdoor sky lounge. There is also a proposed dog grooming area, lounge, and outdoor dog run.


Slide the image to see What’s Now & Next
Overall, the site involves the redevelopment of the existing 21 story tower and the addition of a garage liner which covers the existing building plaza area and parking lot along James Robertson Parkway. The smaller office building on 3rd Avenue N appears to be demolished for the extended building liner. Site improvements include a new bike lane and sidewalk landscaping.


Slide the image to see What’s Now & Next
Existing Plaza Area
The garage liner over the existing plaza area (shown in the image above) proposes 7,723 SF of coworking space on the ground floor. The multifamily component above the small plaza area has 3 units per floor and will result in 21 new units – according to the submitted plans.
The resident lobby and leasing area is located next to the coworking space near the corner of the existing building. This portion of the building covers the existing parking lot along James Robertson Parkway. In addition to the lobby and leasing area there is a little over 5,000 SF of retail space which fronts James Robertson Parkway.


Slide the image to see What’s Now & Next
Existing Parking lot & Smaller Office Building

The resident drop-off entry and exit, parking garage, and loading areas are located on 3rd Avenue North. There are two retail shells located on the ground floor of this street as well. There is 4,714 SF of retail space at the corner of James Robertson & 3rd Avenue N (shown above). This retail space features a covered outdoor dining area. The other retail space is located at the corner of the existing building on 3rd Ave.

Office to Multifamily conversions have a unique set of benefits, such as existing infrastructure, elevators, and keeping the demolished building materials from landfills. Although there aren’t vast options for office to multifamily conversions in the downtown core, developers can coordinate with designers on the front-end of projects. Under the right conditions, municipalities can also incentivize the future proofing of buildings. This will allow cities to extend the economic life cycle of new buildings and its surrounding area.
Be sure to subscribe for more on this and other Developments In & Around Nashville!
