News
GBX Group Announces the Acquisition of the Historic Litterer Laboratory in Nashville
GBX Group
February 19, 2026
631 President Ronald Reagan Way

Partnership with Historic Nashville, Inc. ensures long-term preservation and continued community use of the 1895 building 

NASHVILLE, TN - GBX Group LLC announces the acquisition of the historic Litterer Laboratory, located at 631 President Ronald Reagan Way in Nashville. Constructed in 1895, the building is a well-preserved example of late nineteenth-century institutional architecture and has played a long-standing role in the city’s civic and educational history.

“GBX Group is proud to preserve buildings such as the Litterer Laboratory from a prior era in Nashville and to invest in their historic character to ensure they continue providing lasting value to the city,” said Drew Sparacia, Founder and CEO of GBX Group. “Economic growth often places buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in the path of new construction and redevelopment that could destroy their historic character. We are happy to partner with Historic Nashville, Inc. to ensure that historic places like the Litterer Laboratory are protected in a way that also serves meaningful, contemporary uses and keeps them active and relevant in their neighborhood.”

A GBX company partnered with Historic Nashville, Inc. to protect the property through a historic preservation agreement. The agreement ensures the building’s historic façade and defining architectural features will be preserved in perpetuity. 

By leveraging various federal, state, and local incentive programs, such as historic tax credits and preservation agreements, project partners can access critical, non-traditional financing sources that make preserving these important assets economically viable. A GBX fund, managed by GBX Fund Management Ltd., acquired the historic Litterer Laboratory, marking the ninth historic property preserved by a GBX company in the city. Originally constructed for the University of Nashville’s Medical Department, the Litterer Laboratory was designed in a restrained Chicago Commercial style, featuring red brick masonry, limestone detailing, buff-brick quoins, and a classically inspired entry portico supported by Tuscan stone columns. The interior originally housed amphitheater-style lecture halls and laboratory spaces finished with glazed brick wainscoting, reflecting the progressive design standards of its era.

In 1915, former Nashville mayor, William Litterer, acquired the building and presented it to Vanderbilt University, where it continued to serve for medical instruction until 1925. Despite changes in use over time, the building retains a high degree of historic integrity, including its original massing, masonry detailing, and architectural expression. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. 

Today, the Litterer Laboratory remains an occupied commercial building and is expected to continue serving a mix of tenants, including two private schools and a nonprofit organization. GBX Group plans to take a measured, stewardship-driven approach to the property’s future, focused on maintaining its historic character while supporting long-term functionality and responsible use. 

“Historic preservation agreements help ensure that Nashville’s most important buildings are protected for future generations,” said Ellen Dement Hurd, President of Historic Nashville, Inc. “This partnership provides long-term protection for the Litterer Laboratory, while allowing it to continue to evolve as an active part of the community.”
“We’re proud to work alongside Historic Nashville, Inc. to preserve the historic Litterer Laboratory, while investing in the surrounding community," said Antonin Robert, President of Community Development at GBX Group. "This effort not only honors the local history, but also aims to strengthen ongoing development and connections of the vibrant surrounding neighborhood."

Plans for the property will focus on preservation, stabilization, and thoughtful planning that respects the building’s history while supporting its continued role in Nashville’s urban fabric.

About GBX Group LLC 

GBX Group LLC specializes in acquiring, preserving and operating historic real estate in urban markets. The company partners with investors to fund the acquisition and preservation of historic real estate with the goal of generating community revitalization and economic growth. As of January 2026, GBX has been involved in 216 real estate projects in 24 states. For more about GBX, visit gbxgroup.com/. 

About Historic Nashville, Inc.

Established in 1968 and renamed in 1975, Historic Nashville, Inc. (HNI) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 membership organization with the mission to promote and preserve the historic places that make Nashville unique.  Over the years, HNI has successfully advocated for the preservation of such historic places the Ryman Auditorium, Union Station, Hermitage Hotel, 2nd Avenue & Lower Broadway and Shelby Street Bridge, as well as neighborhood historic districts throughout the city.

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Contact: Kelsey Sparacia

Public Affairs & Marketing Associate

kelseysparacia@gbxgroup.com

513-432-6156