Icon or Encore downtown?

I'm moving to Nashville from San Diego with my husband and dog for a year while I work at Vanderbilt. We are young professionals, looking for a fun, pet-friendly area with lots to do. We have to make a quick tough decision between living at the Icon in the Gulch or the Encore in downtown. I especially love the that the Encore has restaurants in the building and is close to all of the big attractions but I love the Icon building. Can anyone familiar with these neighborhoods/buildings provide some input? Thank you!!