Belmont University – Buddy Lee Attraction/Capitol Records Renovation

Nashville, Tennessee

Firm

ESa

Client

Belmont University

Area

17,654 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$11,459,772

Completion Date

08/2025

Jeremiah Hull

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On Nashville’s legendary Music Row, Belmont University set out to create a home for its songwriting and audio engineering students, one that would honor the neighborhood’s musical heritage while preparing the next generation of talent.

The renovation transforms an aging structure into a vibrant hub for music education. Spaces were designed to serve multiple roles: a student lounge that doubles as a writer’s round stage, practicum suites that function as both classrooms, and recording labs and a listening room that enables songs to be pitched, critiqued, and celebrated.

Working within the building’s restricted ceiling heights, the design team turned limitations into opportunities. Exposed ceilings and carefully tuned acoustic treatments maximize sound quality, and flexible layouts enable every square foot to work harder for students and faculty.

The result is a reimagination of what a music education space can be. Blending tradition and innovation, this project gives students a stage to learn, collaborate, and create in the very heart of Nashville’s music industry.