Last week, I attended a virtual webinar hosted by Greater Nashville REALTORS® with guest speaker Ben York, CEO of the East Bank Development Authority. York gave an excellent presentation on the East Bank, a 550-acre redevelopment that will transform Nashville’s riverfront and reshape how our city grows.
The project stretches from River North and the planned Oracle campus down to I-24, encompassing 130 acres of Metro-owned land. At nearly 10 times the size of the Gulch, the East Bank is one of the largest projects Nashville has ever undertaken. It grew out of the Nashville Planning Department’s Imagine East Bank process, which was approved by the Metro Planning Commission in 2022 after extensive community engagement to reflect the voices and ideas of residents.
Now this vision is beginning to take shape. As both a Realtor and a Nashville resident, it is exciting to see a project of this magnitude move forward. The East Bank will not only redefine our city’s riverfront but also play a pivotal role in how Nashville continues to thrive.
What is most encouraging is the commitment to housing. The plan requires a minimum of 1,550 residential units with strong affordability provisions, including requirements that remain in place for the 99-year duration of the leases. This ensures the East Bank will include long-term, attainable housing options for Nashvillians.
As president of Greater Nashville REALTORS®, I know affordable housing must remain central to projects like this as our city continues to grow. Expanding supply, particularly housing that meets the needs of working-class families, is essential. With corporate relocations and a robust job market fueling demand, Nashville’s future success will depend on keeping housing affordability at the heart of every development decision.
Collyn Wainwright is president of Greater Nashville Realtors. A Realtor is a member of the National Association of Realtors who subscribes to its strict code of ethics. You can reach Collyn at 615-383-6964 or collyn@collyn.com.
