As a Nashville-based company with decades of experience, Charter Construction takes pride in revitalizing historic spaces that contribute to the city’s rich character. The May Hosiery Co-Op is one such project—a storied building that has served many purposes over the years. Originally a sock factory, the mill played a role in World War II and even supplied socks for NASA’s missions to the moon. Now, through an adaptive reuse renovation and restoration project led by AJ Capital, this historic site is being transformed for modern use while maintaining its historic integrity.
Since spring 2024, Charter has served as the lead concrete contractor for two new construction buildings on the property. The multi-phase project, led by Hardaway Construction, is bringing new life to the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. Senior Project Manager Matt Kirts has been leading the efforts for Charter alongside Senior Superintendent Gaspar Avila, who has been a valued member of the team since the 1990s.
Revitalizing a Nashville Landmark with Strong Foundations
Situated in one of Nashville’s fastest-growing areas, the project required a fast and efficient start to keep progress on track. Charter’s work focused on two key structures: a mixed-use residential complex and a commercial retail and office building.
Mixed-Use Residential Complex
This building includes below-grade parking, ground-floor retail, and 109 residential units, along with amenity lounges, a fitness center, and a pool deck. When Charter began work, the site had already undergone a 30,000-square-foot excavation. The team quickly collaborated with architects and engineers to address any challenges and ensure a smooth start.
Key details of the project:
- Cast-in-place concrete construction through Level 2 with composite slab on Level 4
- Reinforced with post-tension cables for structural integrity
- Total area: 168,977 square feet
- Total concrete used: 5,630 cubic yards
Commercial Retail and Office Building
The second structure consists of a commercial retail and office building with a fourth-floor setback terrace along the north facade. To reinforce the concrete slabs, the team used wire mesh instead of traditional rebar due to the side-bar metal deck design. The initial slab pours were completed in mid-November 2024.
Key details of the project:
- Steel frame with composite metal deck slabs from Levels 2-4
- Total area: 60,185 square feet
- Total concrete used: 1,387 cubic yards
Maximizing Efficiency Through Strategic Crew Management
One of the unique challenges of this project was efficiently managing crews across both buildings. Typically, teams complete one job before moving on to the next, but the close proximity of these two buildings meant workers could shift between projects as needed. This flexibility helped maintain momentum and minimize downtime.
“Having a dedicated and robust team allowed us to work more efficiently—enhancing man hours and decreasing the amount of downtime,” said Matt Kirts, Senior Project Manager at Charter. By strategically allocating resources and ensuring that team members were familiar with both job sites, Charter was able to maximize efficiency without sacrificing quality.
A Collaborative Effort, A Lasting Impact
Charter Construction is proud to play a key role in bringing the May Hosiery Mills project to life. Through close collaboration with architects, engineers, and subcontractors, the team ensured that both new buildings met the highest standards while honoring the site’s history.
As Nashville continues to evolve, Charter looks forward to contributing to the city’s transformation—one solid foundation at a time.