The Lofts at 160 is part of the five identical three-story warehouses known as the “Spring Brook buildings.” The Spring Brook block was erected in 1868 at a cost of $140,000 and was described by John T. Foote, the original developer, as “elaborately ornamented and beautified, rich and costly in its design.” R.C. Mathews purchased the building in 1976 from Tennessee Wholesale Drug Company.

The Victorian-Italianate style façade of Second Avenue, which was purchased from the Sears and Roebuck catalog, is said to be the longest in North America. The basement level of the warehouses was conjoined so that cargo from merchant ships could easily be transported from the Cumberland River to the buildings. The structure survived a fire in 1893 which destroyed $8,000 of inventory and caused $250 worth of damage.

[+ Enlarge Photo] A photo of downtown Nashville taken around the turn of the 20th century. Courtesy of the Tennessee State Library and Archives

Since its creation nearly 140 years ago, the warehouses have evolved from a place where Nashvillians purchased tobacco, harnesses and saddles, spices and patent medicines, to modern-day bars, restaurants, and now upscale apartments. The building remains a vital part of downtown’s history.