Various
Jan 4, 2010
The Mansion At Fontanel, which has been the Nashville home to Country stars Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Chesney, Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson, is being turned into a multi-use destination entertainment spot including an outdoor music venue, restaurant, microbrewery, distillery and memorabilia museum.
The 27,000-square-foot log cabin is also now available for tours and rental for special events. The proposal also contains an expansion of existing walking trails and looks to open the land to the public. Plans call for the stone house on the property to be converted into a community restaurant with an emphasis on healthy eating. Beer and wine would be sold. The microbrewery and distillery planned would be built on the existing foundation of a barn. The distillery could distill a maximum of 60,000 gallons of liquor a year.
The space is owned by Fontanel Attractions, with Marc Oswald and Dale Morris as the majority partners.
"It's basically a 135-acre park. It's a place you can take the kids or book for a wedding. The mansion is the anchor of the project," said Oswald.
The Tennessean reported that the expansion proposal came up against resistance from residents in the surrounding Whites Creek Pine area but that compromises have since satisfied the neighbors.
The music venue, which will hold about 2,500, was the main concern for residents. The maximum number of dates for events was scaled back substantially from initial proposals. Approved plans call for a maximum of eight events a year, one a month from May to October plus two floating events. Concerts can be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only, with a 10:30 pm curfew.
The restaurant, music venue and daily tours of the mansion are hoped to be open by late spring or early summer.
For more on The Mansion At Fontanel, see www.fontanelmansion.com.
By Karen Goodner