7/24/06 - The historic five-story building, located on South Front St. near Nettleton, boasts breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and the Beale Street entertainment district in downtown Memphis. 36 luxury condominiums will offer a unique blend of contemporary style, open floorplans, and features that pay homage to the building’s heritage. 420 South, built in 1910, is part of the South Bluff Warehouse Historic District in downtown Memphis.

“We worked with the owner for 7 years to see this project happen because we knew it was a great building with some of the highest quality architecture of its day,” says developer Vince Smith of Greenbriar Partners LLC. For several years, Tayloe Paper Company occupied the building, which was originally designed for very high load bearing. Interiors of the building will retain the massive Douglas Fir beams and 3 inch wood floors, to which layers of gypcrete sound insulating material will be added.

“The building is in excellent condition and will be a very special edition to the downtown Memphis warehouse condo conversion trend,” adds Byron B. Carson Jr., AIA, President of Carson Architects, Inc., who is in charge of the project design. “We were able to expose about 80% of the original heavy timber posts and beams.” The building’s façade is a neo-classical Greek revival design with all terra-cotta trim and minimal limestone, all custom made, says Carson.

Perhaps the building’s best feature is its views. Residents of the upper floor condos will enjoy spectacular unobstructed views of the river and several downtown Memphis scenes through huge 8 and 14 foot functional warehouse style and double windows. From the rooftop deck, more impressive views can be captured of the entire downtown Memphis cityscape.

Five different floor plans ranging from 820 to 1400 square feet offer loft-style and flats in one and two-bedroom configurations that blend openness with privacy. The condos will feature several standard amenities no less impressive: stainless GE profile appliances, granite counters, tile/marble baths, upgraded hardware, Progress pendant lighting,  hardwood floors in living and carpeted bedrooms. First floor condos are true loft designs that offer soaring 18 foot ceilings with 14 foot ceilings on remaining floors. Exposed brick walls and duct work complete the warehouse loft feel.

Enter the lobby from secured, on-site parking where natural light will pour into the five-story atrium through roof skylights. Spacious basement-level private storage units will be available for resident use.

The 420 South Front model condo is expected to be ready for viewing in mid-September with all units expected to deliver in February 2007. Top floor condos are expected for mid-October move-in.

Unit prices start at $152,000 and go up to the $290’s. Contact Vince Smith at 901-324-0321 to schedule an appointment for more information.

>> View the 420 South Front property description in the Condo Directory