The landscape of Green Hills is changing, and with it, a piece of Nashville history. Katie Martin Schumacher and Louise Martin Baird recently stood on the 4.5-acre plot at 3600 Abbott Martin Road, reminiscing about their childhood on what was once a 150-acre family farm.
Cherished Memories
For Schumacher and Baird, this land is filled with memories. “It was like being in the country,” Baird recalled. They shared stories of riding mopeds, sledding down hills, and the natural creeks that once meandered through the property. But after years of resisting development offers, the Martin family made the difficult decision to sell their last piece of land.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Baird admitted. “It’s not the same as it was. Of course, now we have nice restaurants instead of a Shakey’s Pizza place, but it was a slower pace [back then].”
A New Chapter with Martin Reserve
In August 2022, Mike Speciale, founder and general manager of Sett Studio, purchased the land for $4 million. His vision for the property, dubbed Martin Reserve, aims to honor the family’s legacy while bringing new life to the area.
“I’m pleased he’s not putting 16 houses here. He seems to respect the land. He respects the trees,” Baird said, finding solace in Speciale’s approach. “He’s very interested in history and wants to preserve that.”
Community Reactions
The sale wasn’t without controversy. Community members voiced concerns about development, with some advocating for green space preservation and others opposing any changes altogether. However, for the Martin sisters, this development represents an opportunity for their family’s legacy to live on in a new form.
Preserving Family Heritage
As bulldozers reshape the land, Schumacher and Baird hold onto their cherished memories. “My mother, who was a gardener, was really intent upon getting people up here to dig and build new gardens out of her old garden,” Baird shared. “There’s a little bit of my mother’s garden throughout Green Hills and Belle Meade.”
While Martin Reserve marks the end of an era for the Martin family in Green Hills, it also represents a new chapter—one that aims to blend the area’s rich history with its evolving future.
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