How Artisan Build Construct has built its reputation in Nashville one custom project at a time
With many residential and commercial projects completed in the Nashville area, Artisan Build Construct (Artisan Build) has spent years quietly earning a reputation as one of the area’s most trusted names in bespoke construction. As a full-service company, it specializes in new builds as well as remodeling across commercial projects, historic homes and whole homes. Tony Hirsch, President, discusses Artisan Build’s vast expertise, highlighting some of its most notable projects.
“Artisan Build is a bespoke custom home builder and renovations company. Our roots are in the urban core, focusing on urban infill, primarily full-scale additions, renovations and custom homes on tighter urban lots, sometimes within historic overlays or challenging neighborhood constraints. One of our key differentiators is our in-house carpentry team. We rarely subcontract our trade professionals to third parties; if it is in wood, we make it ourselves. That covers everything from framing, stick-build structure and truss framing all the way through to final millwork, trim and cabinetry. We consider ourselves a learning shop, with 20 full-time carpenters and five apprentices coming through trades training at any given time, which helps us continually develop our workforce,” Tony begins.
With this strong foundation in high-end residential construction, Artisan Build decided to expand its reach. After building a well-regarded reputation with private clients, architects and designers, the company found itself drawn to the commercial space. “We typically gravitate towards adaptive reuse projects, which usually means taking an existing building or structure and repurposing it for restaurant, bar or hospitality use. Some of our earliest commercial projects included converting an old fire hall into a restaurant and transforming a welding shop into mixed-use medical office and co-working spaces. Today, we primarily take on projects that require a higher level of custom work, such as restaurants, hospitality facilities and bars. Leaning heavily on our in-house carpenters, we select projects based not just on the design team and the client, but on the community the project sits within and the level of finish it demands. We will probably never build a chain restaurant, as our projects are always for an individual owner or a small investor group,” Tony explains.
Prioritizing preservation
The depth of Artisan Build’s capabilities is perhaps best illustrated through its restoration work, including a home that survived a major fire and, most notably, the Priest House. This project came about following the tornado that struck Nashville in 2020, particularly affecting East Nashville and North Nashville. Artisan Build had recently completed a detached additional dwelling unit, garage and carriage house apartment for the same client, with plans for a minor renovation already in place when the tornado struck. “It looked like a dollhouse where you could see every floor from the back, completely open,” Tony recalls.
The scale of the damage caused by the tornado created an opportunity to create something unique. Artisan Build carefully removed the key design elements the client cared about most, including chandeliers, fireplaces and the staircase, and replicated the original materiality and aesthetic in the rebuild. The company added an additional 2000 square feet across three stories at the back of the house, constructed a safer basement serving as a tornado shelter, and updated windows, doors and siding throughout. Furthermore, the project incorporated a wide range of modern amenities, including kitchen appliances, smart home features, audiovisual equipment, lighting controls and significantly upgraded energy-efficient insulation. At the same time, historic elements damaged in the storm, like the pocket doors, walnut flooring and original stair parts, were carefully restored or replicated.
“It was a defining project for us in terms of staying true to the historic overlay, and the Priest House went on to win a Metro Historic Preservation Award, so we are very proud of that house. It is even more special knowing that the insurance company wanted the house demolished, but the client was determined to save it. Priest House is one of the oldest homes in the Lockeland Springs neighborhood of East Nashville, and the original owner has a dam and several parks in Nashville named after his family, which is how it came to be known as the Priest House, after Percy Priest,” Tony concludes.
Another project that was recipient to a Historic Preservation Award was Artisan Build’s large remodel of the Shadowens Studio in Germantown. Formerly the studio of renowned Nashville singer, John Prine, the business completely transformed the building into a fully-bespoke, custom home. By maintaining exceptional levels of client and designer collaboration throughout, the final product was embellished with an array of high-quality, vintage fixtures (as provided by the client), and included a number of interesting design elements, including a built-in library and sunken living room. Aside from the home’s aesthetic elegance, however, Artisan Build expertly remodeled the building as a health-conscious house, with various elements in place to support the owners’ physical and mental wellbeing.
Above all else, Artisan Build’s success lies in its thoughtful balance of craftsmanship, innovation and respect for history. By blending traditional techniques with modern sustainability and a hands-on approach, the company continues to shape Nashville’s evolving landscape. Each project reflects not only technical expertise but also a deep commitment to community, ensuring that every build preserves the past while confidently embracing the future.