Station East

On the site of a former truck stop, Station East recasts 18 acres of underutilized industrial land as a dense and dynamic mixed-use urban experience designed to encourage diversity and discovery.

In the heart of Nashville, the East Bank of the Cumberland River has historically been defined by industrial use. Inside the I-65 highway loop, over 300 acres of land is poised for redevelopment, including an 18-acre truck stop at the base of the Victory Memorial Bridge. The RMR Group engaged HASTINGS to lead a comprehensive master plan and vision for this site. HASTINGS facilitated a rezoning process and completed the urban planning, schematic design, and visualization of the mixed-use district to include a new park and several new buildings.

Station East introduces a new scale and density to East Nashville while holding onto the neighborhood’s eclectic nature. The new district establishes a connection between the East Bank and Downtown Nashville, mediating the high-rise nature of the city and the lower-scale, primarily residential neighborhood of East Nashville.

The urban design is oriented around a 2.88-acre public park that acts as a destination while establishing a vital connection between the East Bank and the historic residential neighborhoods of East Nashville. It is the focal point of the district, drawing not only residents and workforce, but providing an enclave for artisans, musicians, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The pedestrian- and bike-friendly park also weaves Station East into the city’s extensive Greenways system. Designed for diversity of use and user, the park features a variety of spaces for gathering, including areas for public art, outdoor dining, pop-up retail, and a generous lawn for large gatherings.

Beyond the park, the urban design fosters connectivity with the surrounding neighborhood by extending North 2^nd and North 3^rd Avenues to the north and Howerton and Sycamore Streets toward the river, ultimately restoring the original historic, street grid on the site. Sycamore Street, in particular, is designed for a variety of uses and sections have the capability to be closed to vehicular traffic to host events, festivals, and weekend markets. Across Station East, several towers provide a mix of retail, multi-family residential, office, and boutique hospitality experiences.