John Coleman Hayes' The West End condominium project recently sold its 60th unit, a milestone that lifts the high-profile, 10-story project at West End and 31st avenues to more than 80 percent occupied about 40 months after its first residents moved in.

Of the remaining dozen units, broker Lisa Powers of French Christian Patterson & Associates says the most affordable is being listed for $545,000. While that price point might startle some, The West End stands out among other recent Nashville condo projects for its ambition and scope. Hayes has aimed to attract well-heeled buyers with large units in varied layouts — some featuring more than 1,000 square feet of terrace space — and a number of high-end amenities.

That approach appears to be working better now, after two years in which a rising stock market has replenished many bank accounts, than it did early on: Hayes needed to sell a bunch of units at auction in the fall of 2009.