Developers see Nashville’s riverfront as the ‘it’ place for future development

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — For years, Nashville didn't give much thought to its river, but that's changing. Developers are seeing the potential of building housing, office space, and restaurants along the Cumberland. News 2 got a tour of one of the first apartments to open on the new East Bank.

Mike Howard, senior development manager with MRP Realty, said the riverfront view is one of the highlights of his new apartment building. "The views of the river are really spectacular."

This scenic waterfront is one reason MRP Realty put up four buildings on this spot. When it's all complete, the mixed-use space will have 651 apartments named Oxbow and The Wayward ; office space; and more than two dozen shops and restaurants, including an oyster bar with waterfront views, which opens next year, and Shake Shack, which opens this month.

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"For years and years, Nashville's turned its back toward the river. You go to a lot of other great cities—Cincinnati, Austin, go on and on—they have an awesome, active waterfront that draws people toward the water. And I think Nashville's woken up to that. And a lot of people are excited about it," said Howard.

Howard's project is one of the first in River North, which also has Topgolf Nashville next door. Oracle will also call this area home once it opens. River North is a new neighborhood north of the Jefferson Street Bridge and sandwiched between I-24 and the Cumberland River.

At one time, this was a marine terminal where workers unloaded steel off barges. In fact, that waterfront history is honored in today's modern artwork. A massive industrial claw sits in the plaza area.

"Placed those around the site as sort of a nod to the history of the site," said Howard.

"This is unique in a lot of ways. This is a once-in-a-generation type opportunity. This is the first," said Robert Looper III, City Now Next founder and creator.

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Looper tracks Nashville real estate with his website City Now Next . He said developers see a lot of potential in building on the river. And projects like the pedestrian bridge to Germantown and the new water taxis will help make the river the "it" place to be.

"I think the ultimate goal is to really have a vibrant waterfront, an extension of downtown that gives visitors and residents an opportunity to sort of explore and live and enjoy the riverfront in Nashville," said Looper.