Over a decade ago, in early 2013, journalist Kim Severson of The New York Times dubbed Nashville the “It City” in an article titled Nashville’s Latest Big Hit Could Be the City Itself.
In the thirteen years since that proclamation, Nashville has been on a meteoric rise, with population, home prices, and its skyline continuing to climb.
The latest structure rising above the city is the $2.2 billion Nissan Stadium, set to open for the 2027 NFL season. Earlier this month, a ceremonial “topping off” event marked the placement of the stadium’s final steel beam. At the event, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell summed it up simply: “This is a Super Bowl–ready city.”
Adjacent to the stadium is the massive East Bank development, a 550-acre area along the Cumberland River that will stretch from River North and the planned Oracle campus south to Interstate 24. Just down the road on Church Street sits Nashville Yards, a newly constructed 19-acre mixed-use development featuring office space, retail, entertainment, hospitality, and residential towers, including the Amazon Nashville Tower.
As a Nashville native, I never would have dreamed the city would become what it is today. Growing up, the Titans practiced in a field behind the old Bellevue Mall, the Old Spaghetti Factory was considered fine dining, and street parking was free after 5 p.m.
While the “It City” label may have faded from headlines, Nashville’s momentum has not. Growth like this is rarely defined by a single moment. It is built over time through planning, investment, and a shared belief in what a city can become. In that sense, Nashville’s rise feels reminiscent of one of the most iconic moments in its sports history.
More than two decades ago, the Music City Miracle wasn’t just a lucky bounce of a football, but a moment where preparation met opportunity. Today, from Highway 70 to Murfreesboro Pike, Nashvillians continue to move the city forward. Only this time, instead of Kevin Dyson racing 80 yards down the sideline, it’s the city itself advancing toward a future that suggests Nashville’s best chapters are still ahead.
Jack Gaughan 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 Jack at 615-478-0970 or jack.gaughan@gmailcom.
