Transforming a Challenging Urban Site into a Premier Residential Community

Place Development, a boutique Nashville-based developer, envisioned transforming an underutilized parcel in Germantown into a high-quality, walkable townhome community that complemented the neighborhood’s urban charm. The site, partially developed before the pandemic, presented multiple design, regulatory, and infrastructure hurdles typical of Nashville’s urban core.

CSDG partnered with Place Development to lead civil engineering and landscape architecture, with the goal of balancing density and livability while overcoming complex grading and combined sewer challenges. The collaboration resulted in a seamless transition from concept through construction, maintaining Place’s commitment to high-end craftsmanship, urban design, and community connection.

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‍CSDG has always been our preferred firm. They understand our goals, communicate clearly, and help us navigate challenges as true partners. — Derek Lisle, Principal, Place Development

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The Challenge

After acquiring the property, Place Development sought to reimagine it as a cohesive, high-end residential enclave that fit seamlessly into Germantown’s walkable fabric. The site, however, carried a series of significant challenges:

• ‍Combined Sewer Constraints: Situated within one of Nashville’s most complex combined sewer basins, the site required careful coordination with Metro Water to prevent overflows and minimize downstream impacts.‍
• Inherited Entitlements: Previous approvals meant the design team had to respect existing conditions while strategically updating the plan to align with Place’s architectural and market vision.‍
• Topography & Access: The corner lot at 4th Avenue and Hume Street featured grade changes that complicated both building elevations and pedestrian entry points.‍
• Schedule & Market Pressure: Witha narrow construction window, Place Development needed an efficient permitting process that wouldn’t compromise design quality or neighborhood engagement.

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Our Approach

CSDG’s integrated civil and landscape teams approached the project with a balance of technical precision and creative problem-solving, focusing on turning site constraints into design opportunities

• Collaborative and Established Partnership: Having an established working relationship with Place Development allowed for quick decision-making and transparent communication. CSDG’s familiarity with the developer’s standards for quality and efficiency created alignment from day one.
• Innovative Infrastructure Strategy: Our civil engineers led extensive coordination with Metro Water Services, designing an infiltration-based stormwater system that met the city’s rigorous combined sewer standards. By avoiding unnecessary public infrastructure extensions, CSDG protected the client’s budget and streamlined the review process.‍
• Contextual Design Refinement: CSDG’s civil team collaborated closely with Root Arch, the project architect, to align site engineering with architectural intent, refining grading, circulation, and outdoor spaces to complement the building design. This coordination maximized the site’s buildable area while maintaining a pedestrian-friendly scale, creating cohesive connections between the architecture, landscape, and surrounding urban context.
• Seamless Permitting Navigation: Leveraging decades of experience with Metro agencies, CSDG efficiently coordinated approvals across multiple departments, aligning entitlement updates with revised design documentation to keep construction on schedule.

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The Results

• ‍Approvals Secured: CSDG guided the project through all site-related reviews, securing timely approvals with Metro Nashville while addressing complex sewer coordination requirements.‍
• Optimized Urban Design: The final plan accommodated 16 luxury townhomes within a compact footprint, integrating stormwater infrastructure invisibly into the hardscape and ensuring each home had direct pedestrian access and a strong neighborhood presence.‍
• Enhanced Community Connectivity: Directly across from a public park, the project reinforces Germantown’s character as a walkable, livable urban neighborhood. New sidewalks, landscaped areas, and coordinated streetscape improvements contribute to a safer, more attractive public realm.‍
• Client Success: The streamlined process enabled Place Development to move confidently from acquisition to construction without costly delays, delivering one of the firm’s most successful and visually cohesive urban communities to date.

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‍We’re incredibly proud of the product. It’s the highest-quality townhome development we’ve delivered and one of the best in Nashville. — Derek Lisle, Place Development

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This project reflects CSDG’s commitment to designing experiences and shaping places that elevate urban living. By navigating Nashville’s complex permitting and infrastructure challenges with clarity and foresight, we helped our client create a community that not only meets regulatory requirements but also enriches the daily experience of those who live and walk through it.

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About the Client

Place Development Corp is a boutique real estate development firm based in Nashville. Founded by Derek Lisle and Matt Laitinen, the company specializes in residential and mixed-use infill projects that strengthen Nashville’s urban neighborhoods. Place partners with Front Four Capital to deliver thoughtfully designed communities that align with market growth and neighborhood context. Learn more about Tennyson here.

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About CSDG

CSDG is a planning, civil engineering, and landscape architecture firm that combines strategy, creativity, and proven local expertise to deliver resilient design solutions across diverse project types. With decades of experience and strong relationships with municipalities, contractors, and stakeholders, we help clients navigate complexity with confidence. Whether leading full-service projects or supporting specific disciplines, our integrated team works seamlessly to protect your vision and improve efficiency. Grounded in data and collaboration, we design experiences and shape places that help clients solve challenges early, work more efficiently, and balance community needs with an evolving environment.

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