The Metro Historical Commission put a 90-day hold on a demolition permit requested by the owner of a more than century-old Music Row recording studio, the J.E. Gilmore House at 823 19th Ave S. The property, owned by Verges-James, is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The freeze allows for discussion of policy options between that agency, the Metro Planning Department, Metro Codes and area Metro Councilman Freddie O'Connell, reports the Tennessean. According to O'Connell, uncertainty about changes coming to zoning policies along Music Row might fuel demolition requests such as the one concerning the J.E. Gilmore House. Owners may go ahead with demolition thinking their rights to do so might be restricted by future zoning.
The two-story, 3,460 SF Folk Victorian structure was built around 1900 and converted from a residence into Studio 20 in 1981. Verges-James bought the building for $527k in 2008. It's included in the Historic Music Industry Resources in Nashville Multiple Property Documentation Form, which the National Park Service approved in November. [Tennessean]
