NASHVILLE, TN — The Urban Land Institute (ULI) has selected the L&L Market development in West Nashville for a 2020 ULI Nashville Excellence in Development Award. The project was among two other outstanding real estate development projects from around Nashville selected as winners in the small, private sector category.

L&L Market is a 55,000-square-foot retail, restaurant, and office marketplace created out of a 100-year-old property that most recently housed a restaurant supply warehouse. Owner and Developer Tamay Ozari commissioned Southeast Venture Design to redesign the building, Dowdle Construction Group as the general contractor, and Southeast Venture brokers to handle leasing. The project’s vision was to create for Nashville an atmosphere akin to New York’s Chelsea Market or Napa’s Oxbow Market.

“I couldn’t have done this without Southeast Venture and Dowdle Construction Group. Everyone worked together cohesively — Southeast Venture did a great job with design and leasing and Dowdle handled the construction seamlessly,” Ozari said. “My vision was to turn this old building into a mall, and it turned out beautifully. I was also very picky about who would be the tenants. Thanks to Southeast Venture, I got the best tenants under one roof.”

Combining its notable history, its architectural elements, and its location on one of Nashville’s fastest-growing corridors, L&L Market has quickly become a vibrant community of small businesses and restaurants.

“It is truly a one-of-a-kind building — its character sets it apart,” said Southeast Venture Design Project Architect Kevin Liegibel. “Simply being a part of this project and seeing the L&L Market transform from its previously dilapidated condition to what it is today has been a truly rewarding experience. Receiving the ULI award takes it a step further, recognizing the time and energy that all involved team members put into creating the finished product.”

Notably, this is an ongoing project for Southeast Venture Design and Dowdle Construction Group, as both have been commissioned by tenants to build out their individual retail spaces within the marketplace.

“It’s been great being part of the whole process from start to finish and seeing how this community has come to life,” said Dowdle President and Principal Glynn Dowdle. “The development as a whole turned out really well, especially considering the deteriorated building we started with, and we’re thankful to be recognized for our work on it.” 

The ULI Nashville Excellence in Development Awards program celebrates the creativity and vision in land use and real estate development, which reflects exemplary design, sustainability, and commitment to community, among other criteria. The awards entries were judged on criteria that support ULI’s commitment to best practices in the use of land and leadership in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.

For decades, ULI has set the standard in recognizing real estate development projects and visionaries in urban development. ULI awards programs are highly selective, and winners and finalists benefit from wide recognition among influential leaders in real estate and urban development-related fields.

Ozari owns an additional 3.5 acres of land at the back of the L&L Market lot, where he plans to build a mixed-use development within the next few years. It will comprise residential apartments and offices specifically suitable for tech companies.