Demolition of a historic former fire station building located on Charlotte Avenue in West Nashville is underway after having been put on hold in May.
Sitting on 0.26 acres and next to the structure last home to restaurant Smokin’ Thighs, the 1936-constructed Sylvan Park building offers an address of 4406 Charlotte Ave. and no tenant. Metro records for the property — the building once accommodated a single fire truck, thus yielding part of its historic significance, according to preservationists — date to 1909.
As Scene sister publication the Nashville Post reported in September of last year, Vita Firehouse LLC paid $2 million for the property. The LLC is overseen by Anthony Sanfilippo and Jake Sudduth. In March 2023, Sanfilippo's Nashville-based Sorelle Hospitality acquired Strategic Hospitality’s remaining percentage of ownership in Pinewood Social, located in Rolling Mill Hill.
At the time, Sanfilippo said the team planned to restore the Charlotte Avenue building "to its original firehouse character," adding the effort would require about 10 months. "We'll decide at that time what the best use for the building could be."
Sanfilippo could not be reached for comment for this article.
A permit to allow for the razing was issued in May; however, that permit seemingly was issued in error, according to Metro. Current Metro records list no subsequently issued permit. Also in May, some neighbors began circulating a Change.org petition to prevent the building's demolition.
Tim Walker, Metro Historical Commission executive director, told the Post in May that the department has the opportunity to review the request to demolish, as the building is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
“We’re working with Councilmember Brenda Gadd (District 24) and the property owner, and they are looking at the viability of rehabbing and at potential preservation incentives,” Walker said at the time.
A previous version of this story was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
