National design firm Cooper Carry recently completed the interior fit-out of the 100-year-old Werthan Mill Warehouse into speculative office suites on behalf of owner, META Real Estate Partners. The warehouse-to-office conversion is located within Nashville’s historic Germantown neighborhood and is part of the Taylor Place master development comprising office, residential and retail spaces.

Traced back to the 1900s, the Werthan Mill Warehouse was originally used to produce paper and burlap bags, and later used for manufacturing pet food bags. In 2021, the 60,000-square-foot warehouse was converted into office space for one user. The large open space posed leasing challenges, so Cooper Carry was brought on to transform the warehouse into nine office suites ready for immediate occupancy.

“Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood is a blend of quintessential historic character and charming restaurants and retailers that draw people in,” said Sarah Keithly, Project Interior Designer at Cooper Carry. “Set within a mixed-use environment, The Werthan Mill Warehouse’s move-in ready suites are well-suited for companies that value historic charm, proximity to downtown and are looking to foster creativity and innovation.”

The design pays homage to the building’s rich history, with organic textures and materials incorporated throughout, such as wood, leather and burlap-like wall coverings. Historic features including the numbered columns and fire standpipe were preserved, serving as a subtle tribute to the building’s past. Strategic lighting was implemented to further accentuate the original brick and exposed ceilings.

The renovated Werthan Mill Warehouse also includes a training room, common lounge and micro-market for shared use by tenants, repurposing underutilized areas into inviting amenities. Sustainability was also a key factor in the redesign. By utilizing daylight harvesting through the new full-sized windows, natural light is maximized, therefore reducing the need for overhead lighting. Additionally, biophilia is incorporated into the design with lush planters throughout, bringing life to the former industrial hub.

The Werthan Mill Warehouse is currently available for lease, with Colliers International representing ownership.

Cooper Carry provides architecture, planning, landscape architecture, interior design, experiential graphic design, branding and sustainability consulting services. Founded in 1960, the firm specializes in the design of education, government, hospitality, mixed-use, office, residential, restaurants, retail, senior living, science + technology, and transit projects. The firm has designed projects in 45 states and globally in the Caribbean, Middle East, Asia, Africa and Central America. Cooper Carry approaches its work as a collaborative ecosystem. Its multiple studios and services come together daily to provide each project the depth of knowledge needed to meet and exceed objectives. Cooper Carry’s leaders are advocates and authorities for their specialties, empowered by decades of expertise to make decisions that prioritize placemaking, civic space, and the greater good of communities, tenants, residents and visitors. For more information, visit Cooper Carry’s website at coopercarry.com and follow the design firm on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.