An apartment development near a General Motors factory scored the 2023 CoStar Impact Award for multifamily development of the year in the Nashville, Tennessee, market based on a judging panel of local commercial real estate professionals.
John Maher Builders, a long-time local homebuilder, opened the 444-unit Southaven at Commonwealth in January 2022. It is located roughly five miles from the GM plant in Spring Hill, which is about 35 miles south of Nashville.
GM has been investing heavily in expanding to build electric vehicles at the plant. Expansion also includes an electric vehicle battery plant.
But the exurb also is roughly 20 miles from the heart of the Nashville-area’s second-largest office market in Franklin’s Cool Springs. In the 1990s, construction started on regional shopping mall Cool Springs Galleria on the west side of Interstate 65, leading to office development to flourish on the east side and spread to the west side.
Nissan North America has its headquarters there as does Mars Petcare and a host of other companies.
About the project: Southaven at Commonwealth has farmhouse-themed one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The property features a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art clubhouse with amenities that include a weight room, cardio room, yoga/barre room, coffee bar and business/flex center.
There is also a resort-style pool and two dog parks. The unit interior finishes have a modern farmhouse feel with such finishes that include modern lighting, granite countertops, stainless appliances, shiplap walls, custom barn doors and fireplaces.
What the judges said: Buist Richardson, a principal with Avison Young, said that it is a “nice development” by a local developer in the community.
They made it happen: John Maher, CEO of John Maher Builders; Jack Maher, president of John Maher Builders; and Susan Franklin, property manager with Freeman Webb, the apartment property’s management company.
