There’s a new energy running through Nashville, a city so hot that ABC created a show about it, The New York Times said it was taking its turn in an article from this January and GQ dubbed it “Nowville.” Nouveau is all around, and if you live in the midst of it, like me, the pace can feel almost dizzying. Businesses, restaurants, hotels, retail shops — there’s so much popping up that it’s hard to stay abreast of it all.
With cranes in the skyline and new commerce announcements in the headlines, this year promises to be just as prolific as the last. Here are four of the city’s au courant developments, all recently opened or slated to open in the next several months:
Eat
After seven years serving craft brews and casual food at 12 South Taproom, owners Alex Torres, Jamy Borda and Will Shuff launched their second endeavor, Pub5, a luxe gastro pub featuring everything from grass-fed burgers to higher-end fare such as chicken confit with a polenta cake and lake trout with caviar and a corn puree. The three-story restaurant opened March 15, complete with a rooftop bar overlooking 5th Avenue, where the pub earned its name.
Play
For the past decade, Nashville’s government and business leaders have been working to establish a brand-new landmark: Nashville’s Music City Center, a $623 million building scheduled to open in May 2013. The center spans six city blocks, and its construction spurred on development of countless nearby hotels, restaurants and attractions. When it’s up and running, don’t miss the grand opening festivities, featuring free open-house tours of the 1.2 million-square-foot space and performances from Sheryl Crow, Phil Vassar and more.
Thanks to owners Kate Mills and Ashley Sheehan, Nashville’s Old Made Good is filled with crafts, handmade jewelry, vintage finds and plenty of irreverence. Once located on Porter Road in East Nashville, OMG was busting at the seams, and required something bigger and better in 2013. During renovation of its new (but very old) space, Mills and Sheehan turned to loyal Nashvillians to help rehab the warehouse floor, which they covered completely with glitter thanks to the aid of more than 200 friends who donated $7,500 to finish the project. But it’s what’s on the glitter-coated floor that makes this place special: a handpicked collection of vintage and locally made goods like a hand-collaged vintage suitcase or vintage porcelain bowls, and two women with a whole lot of pluck.
Lounge
Though visitors have a variety of hotel options in Nashville, look forward to one more. Following the spring ribbon cutting at the Music City Center, The Omni Nashville Hotel will open its doors in fall 2013. Included in the hotel’s 80,000 square feet will be five culinary and entertainment venues — including a steak and chop house and an outdoor eating space, live music space, 800 guest rooms and a rooftop pool deck with prime city views.
