1411 Buchanan Street
Elephant Gallery
2015

Question—

How do you choose people to join the neighborhood that share the common vision AKA attract like-minded investors?  How can we incorporate the Arts into every facet of our developments?

Goal—

Bring leaders in the Arts into the community, who want to engage and provide affordable space for creators to work and exhibit their art.

Our Approach—

• Like-minded investor Alex Lockwood created Elephant Gallery when we connected him to a property on Buchanan Street in 2014.  BUD brokered this acquisition for Alex and partnered with him to buy several other properties in the neighborhood. 

• We brought in Alex to lead and create spaces for Artists to work in. BUD chose to delegate the arts portion and let it take on a life of its own. Alex was able to bridge the gaps through his experience. 

• Prepare for success > manage risk because the risk is people being displaced, not the financial downturn.

Impacted Groups—

Artists within Nashville, community members & investors.

Partner Highlight—

Alex Lockwood, owner of Elephant Gallery

Result—

Our success welcoming Artists to Buchanan was because we put Alex in a role where his actions aligned with the overall inclusive vision.  We know what ties us together, we don’t know what the outcome will be but it’s not profit first. This doesn’t always make sense in the commercial business realm, but we are seeking to prove that caring has fiscal value.  We prioritize community over profit.