NASHVILLE - It towers large over Nashville. So much so that its iconic presence was even featured on the state of Tennessee driver's license. Although officially known by AT&T as their Tennessee headquarters building, everyone in Nashville simply refers to it by its popular unofficial nickname - The Batman Building. Standing more than 600 feet tall and housing their Tennessee headquarters of AT&T, its unique spires and sloped facade resemble that of Batman - even without intentional mimicry being made - when opening in 1994.
Earl Swensson designed this building, featuring two-storey economic development center and nine-story parking garage with 1,308 spaces underground. But its interior stands out amongst others; his associate, Joelle Phillips noted it was one of Swensson's "most original designs."
Phillips says the building was intended to make its occupants forget they are even in an office building by situating its lobby entrance at the corner of Commerce Street and 3rd Avenue North rather than one specific side of it. Furthermore, its lot is set catty-cornered so as not to face any one street directly.
