If you've driven down Columbia Avenue recently, you've probably noticed some exciting changes happening. Leading this transformation is Devin McClendon, CEO of NAI Nashville Stanton Group. As a Williamson County native, Devin has a love for this community, which is shown in both his work and his involvement in numerous organizations. And his latest project, Margin District, promises to bring excitement to the area. 

 

The Margin District, located at the corner of Margin Stand extending to the 700-800 blocks along Columbia Avenue, will include lower-level parking, more than 50,000 square feet of street-level retail, approximately 50,000 square feet of executive office space on the second floor, along with twenty-five luxury homes, exclusively marketed by Beacon Group of Tennessee at Fridrich & Clark Realty. This new development also features outdoor gathering spaces, breezeways, and inviting streetscapes, ensuring a welcoming environment for both residents and visitors.

 

This development will honor the area's history while also providing modern touches. "The Margin District blends preservation with progress in a way that honors its diverse surroundings and integrates into the character of the area," Devin shares. "With the adaptive reuse of the iconic Handy Hardware building, along with an inspired mix of new construction designed to reflect the fabric of Franklin with authentic and timeless design, our vision is to establish a new standard for integrated development in Franklin's beloved downtown."

 

Many locals were delighted to hear about the preservation of the former Handy Hardware store. Devin recalls the personal connection to the building: "From the beginning, I wanted to keep the Handy Hardware building. It was, in part, a selfish desire, as I love the concept of adaptive reuse. It was also part of the idea that we wanted the project to be more than just a monolithic building and only of new construction. There is both an awesome history of the site which we will be sharing more about in the near future, as well as a rich community history that was a part of the business."

 

As the development progresses, parking concerns are addressed head-on with plans for an underground garage that will provide over 500 parking spaces, most of which will be available to the public. "We are constructing more than 500 parking spaces in our underground garage. A vast majority of those will be available to the public. We have separate areas within the garage for residents," Devin says.

 

With only twenty-five residences, the homes at Margin District will offer exclusivity with timeless style. "The Residences at The Margin District set themselves apart from the luxury real estate market in Franklin by combining timeless elegance with a curated lifestyle experience that transcends traditional residential living," Devin explains. "What makes these homes distinct is the pedigree behind their creation. With visionaries known for re-imagining iconic destinations like High Hampton and architectural design from the minds behind Rosemary Beach, each residence is a testament to sophisticated craftsmanship."

 

The development also reflects community input, with careful attention paid to the type of tenants and the parking capacity. "Community feedback played a healthy role in how we decided to design the site and, in particular, our focus on residential units for purchase instead of rentals. We also designed the parking capacity to respond directly to those in the immediate neighborhood's request to do everything possible to avoid having visitors spill over into residential streets," Devin shares.

 

Looking to the future, Devin sees Margin District as an integral part of Franklin's evolving landscape. "I believe we are seeing some of the future right now – as it relates to commercial development. Simply take a look at some of the amazing work being done at The Factory or at McEwen. There is a lot of demand for mixed-use environments – it's one of the attractions to downtown Franklin."