Aerial view of a mixed-use development at dusk, featuring a large, illuminated soccer stadium on the right and adjacent residential and commercial buildings on the left. Pedestrians fill the central plaza lined with trees and lit walkways. Architectural rendering of a mixed-use development, showing a six-story building with a ground-level retail area and outdoor gathering spaces. The plaza includes trees, food trucks, and tents with people walking and interacting throughout the space. Distant aerial view of the Nashville Soccer Club Stadium surrounded by tree-lined pathways and a large-scale mixed-use development. The stadium glows with lights as a game is in progress, and the city skyline is visible in the background. Street-level perspective of an urban mixed-use development showcasing mid-rise buildings with retail storefronts, a central landscaped plaza, and a wide pedestrian walkway leading to a stadium entrance in the distance.

Nashville Fairgrounds

Since 2017, Smith Gee Studio (SGS) has partnered with the Nashville Soccer Club ownership team and the Fairgrounds Nashville board to reimagine the historic Fairgrounds campus into a vibrant, mixed-use district. Once overlooked and underinvested for over 50 years, the 117-acre site is now home to a state-of-the-art MLS stadium, new expo facilities, and an expanded Fair Park. SGS led an extensive community engagement and rezoning process that converted 10 acres of public land for private development and resulted in one of Nashville’s first Community Benefits Agreements—securing commitments to affordable housing and small business support within the district.

The first phase of the redevelopment, known as 445 Park Commons (Block C), is currently under construction. This six-story building will feature 335 mixed-income residential units, 11,000 square feet of commercial space, a small business incubator, and an adjacent parking garage. Designed to promote connectivity, walkability, and community investment, the project represents a major step toward revitalizing the Fairgrounds as a destination that balances neighborhood needs with citywide momentum.

Year:

2018

Location:

Nashville, TN

Architect:

Smith Gee Studio

Client:

Market Street Enterprises

Services:

Architectural Design, Master Planning, Entitlements, Project Vision, & Community Engagement