Demonbreun Street in Nashville, a 1.2-mile stretch connecting the Cumberland River to the vibrant Music Row roundabout, has undergone a remarkable evolution in recent years. Once considered an unassuming thoroughfare overshadowed by the dazzling lights of Broadway, Demonbreun Street has emerged as a powerful symbol of Nashville’s dynamic urban revitalization.
Five years ago, Demonbreun Street held potential, marked by significant structures like the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Encore condominium tower, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The Music City Center, a landmark project in Metro history, was under construction. Yet, the street was also characterized by vacant lots and older, less prominent buildings.
Today, Demonbreun Street represents a dramatic shift. In a city experiencing rapid development, no other street has witnessed such diverse and accelerated growth. Private developers have invested heavily, constructing luxury residences, upscale hotels, Class A office spaces, and corporate headquarters. Renowned tourist destinations like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Bridgestone Arena have completed extensive renovations, aiming to capitalize on the city’s burgeoning energy. Metro Nashville has also played a crucial role, investing in high-profile projects and offering incentives to encourage development along Demonbreun Street.
The residential landscape of Demonbreun Street is experiencing a boom. The addition of new residential towers is set to more than double the number of housing units in the area. The demographic of Demonbreun residents is also evolving, now including prominent business leaders, attorneys, and key figures in the Music Row industry. As night falls, the Demonbreun Hill area near Music Row transforms into a lively entertainment hub, drawing crowds of college students and others to its popular bars and live music venues.
Emily Schneller, a resident of the Rhythm condo building, enjoys the vibrant atmosphere of Demonbreun Street. “I like sitting on my north-facing balcony watching fireworks at Sounds Stadium on Friday nights,” she shared. The convenience of her location allows her to easily walk to downtown festivals, Midtown bars for live music, and the diverse dining options in Hillsboro Village. Schneller also highlighted the strong sense of community among residents, mentioning “family nights” with neighbors, often involving grilling or dining together at local spots like Tin Roof.
At the opposite end of Demonbreun Street, the Music City Center stands as a major draw for international business and trade conventions, contributing significantly to Nashville’s economy and reputation as a global destination. The Ascend Amphitheater has also quickly become a premier live music venue, attracting over 144,000 attendees in its inaugural concert season and further solidifying Demonbreun Street’s appeal.
However, this rapid transformation has not been without its challenges. Demonbreun Street, a primary downtown artery with interstate access, experiences significant traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. Traffic data reveals that the intersection of Demonbreun and Interstate 40 is particularly busy, with approximately 20,000 vehicles passing through daily.
Amidst the new developments, remnants of Demonbreun’s past remain. A strip club and a Comfort Inn & Suites, offering budget-friendly accommodation, stand in stark contrast to the luxury developments surrounding them, highlighting the diverse character and ongoing evolution of the street.
The development boom has also brought livability concerns to the forefront, common in a city grappling with rapid growth. Traffic, parking, and pedestrian safety are key issues. Metro Councilman Freddie O’Connell, whose district encompasses Demonbreun Street, noted, “I honestly think Nashville has not gotten good at growth yet, in the sense that growth is still very disruptive for us as a city.” He emphasized the need for improvements in infrastructure, such as sidewalks, bike lanes, and roads, to manage the ongoing growth effectively.
Nashville’s success in attracting development is undeniable, with cranes dotting the Demonbreun skyline as evidence of continued construction. Over the next two years, seven new projects are anticipated to add a substantial amount of space to Demonbreun Street, including one million square feet of office space, 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 743 apartment units, and 530 hotel rooms.
This influx of development is driving up prices, setting new records for price-per-square-foot in both residential and commercial real estate. The Element at Music Row, for example, is expected to command some of the highest rental rates in the city. Similarly, the Gulch Crossing office building and the under-construction 1201 Demonbreun are setting new benchmarks for office space rental costs in Nashville, currently at $36 per square foot.
Developers are already planning future projects, including a major mixed-use development potentially featuring the first downtown chain grocery store, planned for a 3.38-acre site at the intersection of Demonbreun and 16th Avenue South near the Music Row roundabout.
Barry Smith, President of Eakin Partners, a Nashville-based real estate firm that pioneered development on Demonbreun Street, believes these developments have significantly elevated the street’s profile. “I think with the addition of the apartments, the hotels and the success of Gulch Crossing, it has really put the Gulch and specifically Demonbreun on everyone’s map,” Smith stated. Eakin Partners’ early investment in Roundabout Plaza in 2004 and their current 1201 Demonbreun project demonstrate their long-term vision for the area.
While high-end developments dominate recent headlines, Demonbreun Street has a long-standing history as a vital entertainment district. Its central location was a key factor in attracting establishments like Tin Roof and Harp & Fiddle over a decade ago. Tin Roof CEO Bob Franklin noted the strategic advantage of Demonbreun’s location, stating, “If you were to take out a map of Nashville before you knew anything about the city, this was a great spot then (when Tin Roof opened in 2002) and it is today.” Franklin’s continued investment in Demonbreun, with the opening of Two Bits arcade bar, underscores his confidence in the street’s enduring appeal.
Other Nashville hospitality businesses are also targeting Demonbreun Street for new ventures. Owners of Lower Broadway honky-tonks are developing the 24-hour Avenue Diner, and restaurateur Tom Morales opened a specialty market near his Southern Steak & Oyster. Harp & Fiddle also recently underwent remodeling and rebranding, demonstrating ongoing investment in the entertainment offerings of Demonbreun.
However, the rapid influx of residents, workers, and tourists has significantly impacted traffic flow. Data analysis reveals a 23 percent increase in daily traffic on Demonbreun Street between 2011 and 2014. This increased traffic has raised concerns about pedestrian safety. Police records indicate 14 incidents involving vehicles striking pedestrians in the past five years. A particularly tragic incident in 2011 resulted in the death of two young men in the bar area near the roundabout. More recently, an incident involving music producer Dave Brainard highlighted ongoing pedestrian safety concerns.
While police officials state that the number of incidents is not high for a busy street, the perception of decreased pedestrian safety is a growing concern among residents. Franklin of Tin Roof mentions long taxi lines forming late at night, indicating the sheer volume of people in the entertainment district. Both residents and business owners agree that traffic congestion and pedestrian safety are the most pressing issues arising from Demonbreun Street’s rapid growth.
Schneller, the Rhythm condo resident, observes, “What’s changed around us is the traffic. With all the apartments, hotels, the new office buildings, it’s not as quaint as it was. And it really doesn’t feel as safe as it was for pedestrians.” Franklin suggests potential solutions such as improved signage or a pedestrian bridge near the roundabout to enhance safety.
Tim Palmer, an attorney and Encore condo resident, moved to Demonbreun Street for its convenience, eliminating his commute and providing walkability to downtown amenities. However, he acknowledges the challenges that come with urban living amidst massive development, including noise and road closures. Palmer suggests a noise ordinance to manage construction-related disturbances as more people choose to live in the urban core.
Councilman O’Connell emphasizes Metro’s ongoing monitoring of Demonbreun developments to ensure responsible building practices. He acknowledges resident concerns about sidewalk and bike lane closures and stresses the importance of communication between city leaders, residents, and businesses to address the novel challenges presented by Nashville’s unprecedented growth. “I think it’s not that we are not good at attracting growth,” O’Connell concludes. “But we are so unaccustomed to it. I think growth is hard.”
About Demonbreun
Demonbreun Street’s name often causes pronunciation confusion for newcomers to Nashville. The generally accepted pronunciation is de-MUN-bree-un. However, the Timothy Demonbreun Society advocates for de-MUN-brun. The street is named in honor of Timothy Demonbreun, a colonial fur trader and one of the earliest settlers in the Nashville region, connecting the street to the city’s rich history.
