Printers Alley building sued for modern signs, banners

Mark Kelly
·1 min read
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The owners of a historic building in Printers Alley are in some hot water with a preservation group.

Historic Nashville, Inc. said the modern signs on the building need to be taken down, and they have filed a lawsuit to try and make that happen.

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In the heart of the Printers Alley historic district, the Southern Turf building was built in 1880, the same year James Garfield was elected president. Fast forward and its current owner, who bought the building in 2017, is facing a lawsuit over the signs, banners, and lighting that adorn the Fourth Avenue structure today.

Historic Nashville – the same group who compiles the annual Nashville Nine list of buildings and homes in Music City in need of preservation – filed the suit in Davidson County.

The suit states that the building is “significant in Tennessee history,” and, according to the Conservation Easement Act of 1981, “No construction, alteration or remodeling of anything shall be undertaken…which would affect the facades.”

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However, Historic Nashville states that “string lights and banners were installed with bolts directly into the facade….causing permanent damage,” including the large sign for the Sinatra Bar & Lounge.

In 2023, the preservation group demanded the owner take down the sign and restore the facade. Instead, the owner hired an architect stating that “the sign is consistent with the historic character of the building.”

The sign and lighting still stand today.

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Defendant Connor Venture, LLC. owns the building. Their attorney, Matt DeVries with Burr & Forman, declined an on-camera interview on behalf of his clients, but did say they reviewed the allegations and dispute them, saying his client faithfully restored and protected multiple historic buildings.

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