Written by Robert Looper III with Guest Contributor Andy Zhu.
Nashville has a critical need for more affordable housing as housing prices and the cost of goods continue to increase. According to the Nashville Affordable Housing Task Force Report, Nashville needs to create 5,250 new units every year to meet demand by the year 2030. However, with current federal, state, and local funding levels, annual production averages around 1,344 units per year. Programs such as the Barnes Housing Trust Fund and the Mixed Income PILOT are working to bolster this number as well as other initiatives by the Mayor’s Office.
Developing affordable housing has its challenges as it requires more intense efforts to line-up the capital stack (or mix of funding sources). It also requires a commitment on the state, local levels, and the private sector to create funds to sustain it.
Mayor John Cooper initiated the Affordable Housing Task Force which is working to establish a single, coordinated place within Metro to manage and champion ongoing housing efforts. A link to that website is at the end of this article.
The showcased Projects are in different stages of planning, design, and construction. It’s important to note that this is not a comprehensive list of all current or planned projects. NashvilleNowNext will continue to publish more affordable/attainable housing stories throughout the year. The list was compiled based on either publicly available information or information from sources. The number of units, design, and levels of affordability are all subject to change and without notice from this website. Always contact the properties directly for the most current information.
Here’s a look at upcoming affordable & attainable housing developments in Nashville.
Orchard Hills
Orchard Hills is a new mixed-use development located near the split between Ashland City Hwy & Clarksville Pike. The Bordeaux Area project includes 250 affordable apartments with amenities and a concealed parking deck. The development will also feature a retail space at the corner of Clarksville Pike and Lawrence Street. Orchard Hills is located on 3000 Lawrence Street.
There are plans for a protected bike lane from the split along Clarksville Pike to Rosa L. Parks Blvd which also connects to the MetroCenter Levee Greenway trail to downtown Nashville. The site is also serviced by the WeGo Transit Bus Route 22B. Here’s the quick rundown:
Development Rundown
Orchard Hills
- What’s Now: Wooded Site
- What’s Next: Mixed Use Development
- Developer: Elmington Capital / Woodbine Community Organization
- Architect: SV Design
- Civil: Kimley-Horn
- Geotech: S&ME Inc
- Capacity: 250 units, 405 Parking Spaces & Amenities
- Status: Under Construction
Previous coverage on this development.
Born Again Active Senior Living
Nashville-based developer, Urban Campus & Core, is developing a 234-unit mixed income active senior housing development in North Nashville. The project is being planned in partnership with a leading faith-based organization. The development aims to address racial gaps in retirement security that have worsened due to the pandemic and rising inflation; causing employees 55 and older to delay retirement to build necessary savings. The project combines adult job skills training and community health services through university partnerships to help active seniors transition to new tech and co-working roles. Proposed amenities include restaurants, a health clinic, pharmacy, and salon. The project is located on 864 & 876 West Trinity Lane.
Shown For Context Only.
Redacted Conceptual Plan Used With Permission. This is not a Permit or Construction Document.
West Trinity Lane currently isn’t serviced by a WeGo Transit bus route or dedicated bike lanes. However, there are plans for it to become a future transit corridor. Here’s the quick rundown:
Development Rundown
Born Again Active Senior Living
- What’s Now: Wooded Lot
- What’s Next: Mixed-use Development
- Developer: Urban Campus & Core
- Architect: STG Design
- Status: Preliminary /Feasibility
Stone Bridge Lofts
Stone Bridge Lofts is a new 311-unit attainable mixed-use development in Goodlettsville, TN. The project consists of one, two, and three-bedroom attainably priced apartments and 11,200 square feet of commercial and retail space. The project will also offer seven live-work spaces that can function as a residence and a storefront. Amenities includes 5,600-square-foot solar-powered clubhouse that includes gathering and meeting spaces, free internet, an open concept kitchen, fully equipped gym and billiards tables. Outdoor amenities include a swimming pool, fire pit, grilling stations, playground, wooded walking trail and a dog park. The project is located at 619 North Main Street in Goodlettsville.
Main Street is not currently serviced by a WeGo Transit bus route, however, there is a plan for bike lanes. The status of the proposed bike lanes could not be obtained at this time. Here’s the quick rundown:
Development Rundown
Stone Bridge Lofts
- What’s Now: Previous Wooded Site
- What’s Next: Attainable Mixed- Use Development
- Developer: Holladay Ventures
- Architect: Studio A
- Contractor: Highland Building Group
- Property Management: Elmington
- Status: Under Construction
Previous coverage on this development.
Maplewood Cottages
Urban Campus and Core is providing development services to create an inclusive mixed income pocket neighborhood off the Dickerson Pike Transit Corridor. The project aims to address the lack of attainable workforce housing in the East Nashville community. The developer is planning 20 cottage-style duplexes with a planned mix of 2 & 3 bedrooms. The address is 204 Maplewood Trace.
The development is a short walk to the WeGo Transit Bus Route 23 on Dickerson Pike. The project is in the preliminary stages, stay tuned for updates.
Skyliner
Skyliner is an inclusive 147 unit mixed-income development located on Dickerson Pike in East Nashville. The development offers studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. Amenities within the property includes a fitness center, laundry lounge, bike racks, grilling areas, and lounge with an outdoor terrace. The bold design of the project pays homage to old mid-century hotels that once lined the Dickerson Pike corridor. Skyliner Is located at 2996 Dickerson Pike.
The site is serviced by the WeGo Transit Bus Route 23 along Dickerson Pike with plans for future bike lanes. Here’s the quick rundown:
Development Rundown
Skyliner
- What’s Now: Previous Cleared Lot
- What’s Next: Residential Development
- Developer: Urban Housing Solutions/MDHA
- Architect: SV Design
- Engineering: Thomas & Hutton
- Capacity: 147 Residential Units, Parking, & Amenities
- Status: Now Leasing
Please direct all inquiries to the property using the link (here).
900 At Cleveland park
900 at Cleveland Park will soon bring 256 high-quality affordable residences to the border of the Cleveland Park neighborhood in East Nashville. The new 7-story project includes a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments with a patio or balcony in each apartment home with an array of amenities. The project address is 900 Dickerson Pike.
Show for Context – Progress from September 2022.
The site is serviced by WeGo Transit Bus Routes 14 & 23 along Dickerson Pike. There are also plans for bike lanes and pedestrian infrastructure across the highway to the East Bank. Here’s the quick rundown:
Development Rundown
900 At Cleveland Park
- What’s Now: Cleared Commercial Lot
- What’s Next: Multi-Family Development
- Developer: Dominium
- Architect: Smith Gee Studio
- Civil/Landscape: Catalyst
- Location: 900 Dickerson Pike
Previous coverage on this development.
Nashville Permanent Supportive Housing
Construction is underway at the new Permanent Supportive Housing center located in Downtown Nashville. The project will provide residents in transitional housing a permanent housing option with onsite services for mental health and substance abuse. The 5-story development will include 90 residential units with amenities and services such as office space for property management, office space for case workers, accommodations for an onsite clinic, mailroom, bicycle storage, and computer room to name a few. The project is located at 600 2nd Ave N.
The site is serviced by WeGo Transit Bus Routes 9, 28, & 41. It is also along the Cumberland River Greenways Trail. Here’s the quick rundown:
Development Rundown
- What’s Now: Previous Cleared Lot.
- What’s Next: Permanent Supportive Housing
- Developer: Metro Nashville Government
- Architect: Moody Nolan Architects
- Landscape: Edge
- Engineering: Catalyst Design Group
- Capacity: 90 Residential Units
- Status: Under Construction
Shelby House
Local nonprofit, Samaritan Recovery Community (SRC), has partnered with Holladay Ventures and Evergreen Real Estate to create Shelby House. The phased project will include a total of 484 affordable residences, including a 71,000 square-foot recovery services center for the nonprofit. Construction of Phase 1 is well underway which includes approximately 132 beds for SRC. The property is located at the corner of Shelby Avenue & South 4th Street.
The site is serviced by WeGo Transit Bus Route 4 and is walking distance to Downtown and the East Bank. Here’s the quick rundown:
Development Rundown
Shelby House
- What’s Now: Samaritan Recovery Community
- What’s Next: Mixed-use Development
- Owner: Samaritan Recovery Community (SRC)
- Developers: Holladay Ventures / Evergreen Real State
- Architects: Studio A / Manuel Zeitlin Architects
- Status: Under Construction
5th & Summer
5th & Summer is a new 6-Story residential development located within the Cayce Community Unit Planning Overlay. The proposed project by the Metro Department of Housing & Urban Development includes 107 units mixed-income apartments and 120 parking spaces. The Project is situated at the corner of S. 5th Avenue & Summer Place. The site is serviced by WeGo Transit Bus Route 18.
Development Rundown
5th & Summer
- What’s Now: Previous Cleared Lot.
- What’s Next: Multifamily Development
- Developer: MDHA
- Architect: Gresham Smith
- Capacity: 107 Residential Units
- Status: Out for Bid
Previous coverage of this development.
Lenore Gardens
Architectural Firm SV Design is providing design services for the conceptual planning of a future phase of MDHA’s Envision Cayce redevelopment plan. Lenore Gardens is located next to the planned 5th & Summer Development at the corner of 5th & Crutcher Street. The project is in the early stages of planning, stay tuned for details.
Cherry Oak Apartments
Cherry Oak Apartments is the seventh new residential construction and sixth mixed-income development at Cayce Place. The project will feature 96 total residences with 45 subsidized for current Cayce Place residents. In addition, there are 8 Affordable apartments, 6 Workforce apartments, and 37 Market-rate apartments. The development will have market-rate amenities including granite countertops, tile backsplash, patios or balconies, as well as building amenities. The project is located at 705 S. Sixth St. in East Nashville.
The development is a short walk to WeGo Transit Bus Route 18. Here’s the quick rundown:
Development Rundown
Cherry Oak Apartments
- What’s Now: Cayce Place Homes
- What’s Next: Multifamily Development
- Developer: MDHA
- Architect: Smith Gee Studio
- Capacity: 96 Residential Units
- Status: Under Construction
445 Park Commons
Park Commons will soon debut its first mixed-use development at the reimagined Nashville Fairgrounds. 445 Park Commons is a new 329-unit mixed-income development. The project will also feature expanded building amenities, a parking garage, and comprehensive retail offerings. The mixed-use development is nestled between Geodis Park and the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
Shown For Context.
There currently isn’t a direct WeGo Transit Bus Route to the development. However, there is an ongoing development of the bike lane network surrounding the project. Here’s the quick rundown:
Development Rundown
445 Park Commons
- What’s Now: Previous Staging & Fairground Uses.
- What’s Next: Mixed-use Development
- Developer: MarketStreet Enterprises
- Architect: Smith Gee Studio
- Landscape: Hawkins Partners
- Civil: Barge Cauthen & Associates
- Capacity: 329 units, Retail, Amenities, Parking
Previous coverage of this development.
Chestnut Flats
Chestnut Flats is a 204-unit affordable development near Trevecca Nazarene University. Chestnut Flats will include studio, one, two, and three-bedroom residences with onsite parking and amenities. The project will offer reduced rent to individuals and families who can verify earnings of between 30 percent and 70 percent of the area median income. The address is 101 Factory Street.
The project is a short walk to WeGo Transit Bus Routes 18 & 55 located on Murfreesboro Pike. Here’s the quick rundown:
Development Rundown
- What’s Now: Previous Wooded Lot
- What’s Next: Multi-family Development
- Developer: Ellmington / MDHA
- Architect: SV Design
- Civil: Catalyst Design Group
- Capacity: 204-units, Amenities, & Parking
Flats At Donelson Plaza
The Flats At Donelson Plaza is a 4-story mixed-income development located at the Donelson Plaza Shopping Center. Amenities include a fitness center, lounge, covered parking, and balconies in most apartments. It is also adjacent to the new Donelson Branch Library. The development includes a percentage of units at attainable rents based on the 80% to 100% Median Household Income (MHI) category.
The project is a short walk to WeGo Transit Bus Route 6 as well as the WeGo Star Commuter Train located on Lebanon Pike. Here’s the quick rundown:
Development Rundown
Donelson Plaza Multi-Family
- What’s Now: Shopping Center/Parking Lot
- What’s Next: Mixed-use Development
- Developer: Holladay Properties
- Architect: Building Ideas
- Location: 2710 Old Lebanon Road
- Capacity: 104 Residences, Amenities, & Parking
For information on the Mayor’s affordable housing resources click the link (Here).
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