(FRANKLIN, Tenn.) April 22, 2016 – Boyle Investment Company, in partnership with the Berry Family as developers of Berry Farms in South Franklin, salvaged the old steel windows from the former Franklin High School gymnasium before its demolition and will repurpose them in the brand new Publix® Supermarket under construction in Berry Farms Town Center.

The gymnasium, which was recently demolished, was a relic from the old Franklin High School that stood for 60 years after surviving the fire that destroyed the rest of the school in January 1956. The gymnasium was considered to be both an irreparable eyesore and liability by local preservation groups and the Franklin City government.

“As a child, I played basketball in the old Franklin High gym,” shared Tyler Berry, a member of the Berry Family. “Incorporating a piece of that Franklin history into the Berry Farms project is personally satisfying.”

A $10,000 donation has also been made by the Rural Plains Trust to The Battle of Franklin Trust. The Rural Plains Trust was created by the Berry Family and Boyle Investment Company to financially support historic preservation organizations like the Battle of Franklin Trust, Franklin’s Charge and the Heritage Foundation.

“One of our design goals at Berry Farms is to embrace the architectural heritage of Franklin,” states Phil Fawcett, partner at Boyle Investment Company. “Repurposing these windows is another exciting opportunity for us to embrace Franklin’s past as we plan for the future of Berry Farms.”

The windows will be used in the new building that will house the Publix®, which has been designed to look more like a traditional small town southern factory than a grocery store. The new state-of-the-art Publix® will open this year.

“I am so happy to see part of the old gym become part of Franklin’s future,” says Eric Jacobson, CEO of The Battle of Franklin Trust. “I am also very thankful for the Berry Family and Boyle’s generosity and support of The Battle of Franklin Trust.”

In addition to repurposing these windows, Berry Farms brings forward the history of the 600-acre property and Franklin in numerous ways. All of the street names in Berry Farms tie back to the history of the property and the families that owned the property. A small park was dedicated to Captain Freeman, the first and sole fatality of the First Battle of Franklin at Douglass Church on the John Hughes Place at Rural Plains (now called Berry Farms Town Center). Another park was dedicated to Hughes Mill, a small mill built by the Hughes family, which burned down during the Civil War. And the architecture of the homes and commercial buildings embrace the architectural heritage of Franklin and the surrounding area.

“It’s important for us to connect the history of Franklin to Berry Farms,” shared Berry family member and steward of the family legacy, Avalyn Berry Swain. “Our family’s roots run deep in Franklin, and we want the future of Berry Farms to reflect that history.”

Julian Bibb, President of both The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County and Franklin’s Charge, praised Boyle Investment and the Berry Family for their longstanding commitment to both historic preservation and battlefield reclamation in Franklin. Bibb said “Boyle Investment and the Berry Family have been involved with us since the beginning. They have a deep love for the history of Franklin. We applaud their most recent efforts to rescue the vintage windows and to contribute to preservation.”

Berry Farms is being developed in partnership with Boyle Investment Company and the Berry family, direct descendants of the original family that settled the land in the early 1800’s.

About Berry Farms

Berry Farms is a unique master planned community located in Franklin, Tennessee, in the heart of one of the nation’s fastest growing, most affluent counties. Conveniently located at the Interstate 65 / Peytonsville Road (Goose Creek Bypass) interchange, Berry Farms is strategically situated for easy access and growth. Berry Farms represents a new, classic way of living, working and playing that not only changes how a community looks, but how it feels. And with a preserved history that dates back to the early 1800’s, the property has a compelling story to tell. www.BerryFarmsTN.com

About Boyle Nashville

Boyle Investment Company is committed to creating engaging, sustainable mixed-use communities with a conservative approach and commitment to quality. Boyle provides leasing, management, and development services at Berry Farms. www.Boyle.com

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