The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the writer and do not reflect the views of University School of Nashville or the Peabody Press.
When people picture Nashville, they might envision a variety of scenes. For tourists, it might be Broadway’s honky-tonks and their multi-colored neon signs. Maybe it’s the Batman Building’s spires rising over the skyline, or the arched ceiling of the Ryman Auditorium.
These iconic locations are important for different reasons — they are social spaces, landmarks, and cultural centers that contribute heavily to Nashville’s identity. But they, and places like them, are starting to disappear.
The city has been growing rapidly since the nineties. With that growth comes change — as well as conflict. The debate over “new Nashville” vs. “old Nashville” has been raging for almost four decades. A Vanderbilt University poll found that nearly 80% of Nashville residents think that the city is growing too quickly. Long-time residents sometimes lament that the city is losing its status as the “biggest small town,” and that the many new, wealthy people moving here from out of state change the character of the city.
While most people agree that Nashville’s growth has been good for its economy and job market, it has also caused many problems for locals. Issues like rising home prices and extreme gentrification of areas like East Nashville affect the city’s poorest neighborhoods most acutely. Nashville must dedicate resources to solving these side effects of development if it wants to grow sustainably.
There’s an equally important but lesser known issue caused by the city’s expansion which, if not addressed soon, may prove to be unsolvable: the preservation of Nashville’s historic buildings.
The Nashville Report in 2019 showed that historic districts, areas with a large number of old buildings, accounted for 20 percent of population growth between 2010-2016, and that property values in those areas significantly outperformed the rest of the city. Additionally, 40 percent job growth occurred in historic districts, and heritage tourism supports nearly 20,000 jobs and $588 million in local earnings in the city. These areas are also more walkable, and have better access to transit, parks, and schools. Clearly, preserving these districts benefits the city.
Despite this, many historical sites are at risk. Music Row, for example, is central to Nashville’s identity as Music City. It’s known for the legendary studios and music labels housed in its turn-of-the-century bungalows, where many classic songs were first recorded, publishing deals were signed, and stars were discovered.
As the music industry has grown, more and more of those houses are being subsumed into large buildings that match the corporate needs of music labels. While it’s understandable that the type of businesses that have long occupied the row may need to expand, increasingly its properties are being sold to commercial developers completely detached from the community at all. Gray, glass towers proudly display that they’re located on “Music Row!” while holding little connection to music, or the community surrounding the row, at all.
Historic Nashville Inc. is a nonprofit that has been fighting to preserve historic locations across the city for many years. They reported that after the loss of four major recording studios (Studio 19, Studio 20, Spirit Music, and singer Butch Walker’s studio), an entire block of 19th Avenue can no longer be considered part of Music Row. Additionally, they wrote that Sound Shop on Division Street, the studio where Paul McCartney and Wings recorded “Sally G” and “Junior’s Farm”, Kelso Herston Enterprises on 16th Avenue, and five buildings on Music Square West have been demolished. The land was used to build apartment complexes.
It’s telling that even an area this important to Nashville’s identity as Music City, and significant for tourism, is losing so much of its character. But this is only one example of a trend taking place across the city. As it continues, the neighborhoods affected are losing something difficult to replace.
Old buildings are important for their connections to the past, and for the financial reasons listed above. But there’s another reason to advocate for their preservation: beauty. They often feature building techniques and materials that would be costly or impossible to use today. They add irreplaceable charm and variety. They help lessen the monotony of “cookie-cutter” construction which is made to be cheap and efficient rather than interesting to look at. This isn’t just an annoyance: it can actually affect people’s mental health. Studies have shown that people are happier in more beautiful surroundings, regardless of if those surroundings are natural or man-made.
However, there are examples of ways to further development while still preserving the past. One of these projects is due to reopen completely this year. The Arcade sits on 4th Avenue North and takes up nearly two city blocks. It was built in 1902 and was once a community hub. Stores and restaurants convened under its unique columns and gabled glass roof. But, as the decades passed, foot traffic decreased, and many of its businesses were forced to close.
Since 2023 it has been undergoing a massive restoration. The architectural firm Dryden Studio has worked to rehabilitate the beloved space instead of demolishing it, and the result is finally being unveiled this year as its businesses reopen.
The Arcade’s central structure and unique embellishments have been preserved, while outdated mechanical and electric systems have been updated. Because of this method of repair, a space as historic and gorgeous as the Arcade will endure to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike visiting downtown.
The Arcade can serve as a blueprint for how Nashville can continue to progress while ensuring that its spirit and beauty remain intact for people to enjoy.
NEW NASHVILLE: Visitors downtown will be able to gaze through floor-to-ceiling windows in this artist’s rendering of the Arcade’s new façade. (via The Arcade)
The Ryman Auditorium isn’t in any danger of being bulldozed, but many lesser-known places are. The Bell Meade Theatre, Colemere Manor, and small music venues like The Bluebird Cafe and the Station Inn were highlighted as the most endangered historic properties in the city just last year.
We have to fight to keep them, and the places like them, alive. That way, when people 50 years from now explore Nashville, they will still be able to visit the places that matter to us right now.
