Gateway Village continues to grow

Mixed-Use development features healthy mix of retail, residential

By AMY STUMPFL
Brentwood Home Page

There was a time when mixed-use properties were the norm – just a regular part of the American landscape. Here, business owners set up shop right next to a favorite neighborhood eatery, often living right upstairs in second-floor apartments.

With the growth of suburbia and the development of the shopping mall, however, mixed-use projects soon went out of fashion.

But in the last few years, communities are seeing a resurgence as consumers search for added efficiency and a less stressful lifestyle. Modern multi-use developments tend to focus on convenience, walkability and recreation. One of the major players locally in this movement is surely Gateway Village.

Situated at the physical “gateway” between Franklin and Brentwood at the southeast corner of Moores Lane and Franklin Road, Gateway Village offers a winning combination of single-family cottage homes, town homes and mixed-use commercial space. Originally established in the mid-2000s, Patterson Company, LLC, took the reins in 2010, reinvigorating interest in the project.

“The location is fantastic,” says Tanya Yarbrough, vice president of Patterson Company. “We’re just minutes to I-65, and all the shopping and restaurants of Cool Springs. We offer easy access to both Maryland Farms and downtown Franklin, and we’re within 5 miles of three YMCA facilities.”

And while Gateway Village features a Franklin address, the neighborhood is zoned for Lipscomb Elementary, Brentwood Middle and Brentwood High schools.

 “Our school zoning is definitely a big factor for families,” Yarbrough says, noting that many people are surprised to find so many families with children in the subdivision. “Gateway Village really appeals to a wide demographic – young professionals, busy families, empty nesters. I think the convenience makes this a very attractive location for just about anyone.”

Gateway Village offers spacious 3- to 4-bedroom town homes, featuring approximately 2,100 square feet, and single-family cottages ranging from 2,263 to over 3,500 square feet.

“All of the single-family cottage homes have sold, but we still have a number of town home sites available as part of the current development,” Yarbrough says, adding that Patterson hopes to continue developing on the raw land south of Gateway Village. “We are pre-selling for summer, and there are still opportunities to choose colors and finishes.”

Yarbrough says the Patterson offers five floor plans, all of which include three or four bedrooms and an attached two-car garage. A monthly HOA fee covers exterior maintenance, landscaping and trash pickup.

“It’s an affordable, low-maintenance lifestyle,” she says. “We’ve focused on providing a lot of storage, and the 9-foot ceilings give a really open and spacious feel.”

Resident Marlo Beazley agrees.

“The homes are well built and have a lot of nice upgrades,” says Beazley, an agent with Zeitlin & Co., Realtors, who has lived in her town home for three-and-a-half years.

“For me, Gateway Village offered the opportunity for newer construction within the Brentwood High School zone, which was very important,” says the mother of two. “Everyone is very friendly, and neighbors see each other out walking our dogs. I’ve been very pleased. The location is excellent, and it’s nice to be able to walk to lunch or dinner.”

Indeed, the community’s commercial element – which is known as Camden Commons at Gateway Village and is being developed by Coda Development – is fast becoming a favorite destination.

Anchored by popular restaurants such as Sopapilla’s and Mack and Kate’s Cafe, Camden Commons boasts a growing list of retail/service facilities – including everything from Xtend Barre fitness to R.B.’s Cyclery. The project boasts approximately 23,000 square feet of commercial space, along with 28 existing loft apartments. Construction also has begun on an additional 180 apartments.

“We’re hoping to have the new apartments completed this summer,” says Lynn Ellsworth, president of Coda Development. “We have a New York Bagel coming in soon, as well as a new ophthalmologist, and we’re currently negotiating with another restaurant.”

Such growth is good news for local residents.

“I’m anxious to see what’s next,” Beazley says. “It’s just a nice, quiet little community – and very convenient.”