Northwestern Mutual Real Estate Investments LLC has begun demolishing buildings it owns within a 32-acre footprint in the North Gulch and on which the multi-sector giant plans to eventually redevelop.

Already, a non-descript building last used as a temporary Greyhound bus terminal is being razed. Other buildings are slated to be toppled, according to Tom Zale, Northwestern Mutual managing director of real estate equities.

Northwestern Mutual is working with the Franklin-based office of Boyle Investment Co., which is providing consulting services, on what is expected to be a major reinvention of the site, which fronts the north side of Charlotte Avenue and straddles either side of 11th Avenue North.

Zale wrote in an email to Nashville Post that no plans have been developed for particular uses of the site. However, a mixed-used, multi-building development is expected given Northwestern Mutual's work in other markets.

“Northwestern Mutual and Boyle are currently in the initial planning stages for potential future development,” Zale said. “A first step, however, is preparing the site for new uses. Given their advanced age and poor overall condition, the site’s existing buildings are in the process of being demolished. Demolition and general site work are expected to take approximately six months.

Nashville-based DemoPlus is the demolition contractor for the entire site, Zale said.