The Nolensville Town Square is coming.
If you’ve been down Nolensville Road, south of the new Publix, you’ve certainly noticed the development site, which recently had a large ‘Coming Soon’ sign installed.
We’ve been talking about this for a while now, but today we’ll break down eight factors that will make the Nolensville Town Square different, and perhaps better than anything else new or old in the region.
1. Significant Built-In Foot Traffic
The Nolensville Town Square will not have to rely on events or even people choosing to go there for it to feel alive.
That’s because the town square includes 404 residential townhomes, condos, and work live units directly within the development.
In other words, every building in the square will feature new construction residential units above the commercial spaces.
This alone is a huge distinction compared to true historic downtowns like Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Shelbyville, where upper-level residential is much more hit or miss, and never offered as new construction.
The largest building in the square will be a 4-story mixed-use building with 243 units, nearly the size of the entire Summerlyn neighborhood. This will also be the tallest building in Nolensville.
All of this is made possible by the Village Overlay zoning, which allows for the highest residential density in Nolensville.
This will create consistent foot traffic and vibrancy everyday of the week, year round, and outside of typical dining and shopping peaks.
Not to mention there’s another 216 residential units being built right next door as part of the Kroger development.
2. High Architectural Character
The next major factor that sets Nolensville Town Square apart is something the historic downtowns do have, but most newer developments largely lack = high architectural standards and character.
This is all laid out in the same Village Overlay zoning we just mentioned, which also says every building has to follow a detailed set of guidelines designed to create a true historical “Main Street” vibe.
For example, most buildings are required to use brick, stone, or other high-end masonry materials across the majority of the facade, while lower-quality materials like vinyl siding are not allowed.
Large buildings also cannot just be one long, flat wall. They have to be broken up with variations in height, materials, and design so they feel like multiple smaller buildings, similar to what you would see in a real historic downtown.
There are also strict requirements around proportions and scale. Taller ground-floor ceilings for retail, detailed facade elements at street level, and architectural features that create a clear base, middle, and top to each building.
The storefronts are also designed to actively engage pedestrians, with windows, entrances, and layouts that face sidewalks and open spaces.
Even the small stuff is controlled. Things like trash areas, mechanical equipment, and utility boxes are all required to be placed out of sight to keep the streetscape clean and polished.
The end result is a town square that is intentionally designed to feel historic, cohesive, and visually interesting from every angle.
And that level of detail is extremely rare in most modern developments.
3. High-Traffic Corridor
The location is another huge factor.
We just mentioned it will sit right next to the new Kroger Marketplace which includes two residential condo buildings, but that’s just the beginning.
The Nolensville Town Square also sits right off Nolensville Road and just a block away from the Rocky Fork/Clovercroft Road intersection to the north and Williams/York intersection to the south, both of which are quickly becoming high-traffic corridors.
All this matters because the square will not rely just on destination and built-in foot traffic.
It will sit near consistent east/west and north/south movement, with people already passing through and shopping in the area every day.
There are also numerous neighborhoods that will be within an easy walk or bike, and that will only increase as new neighborhoods and trail connections are built out.
4. Open Space, Trails, and Pocket Parks
A true destination cannot just be a block of storefronts.
People need places to gather, sit, walk, linger, meet friends, attend events, or spend time without feeling like they have to buy something.
That is where the Nolensville Town Square really shines when compared to historic downtowns and most new developments.
Not only is the square itself a 1/2 acre of public green space, nearly 10 acres of the total development will be used for trails, pocket parks, natural stone terraces, a pavilion, a dog park, a fire pit, and public gathering areas.
There will also be 703 new canopy trees planted throughout the development.
All things that give the square a much better chance of becoming more than a shopping and dining destination.
It can be a place people go daily to get quality steps and exercise, enjoy outdoor time, or just find a quiet spot to relax and people watch.
When compared to the designs of downtowns like Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Shelbyville, there simply is no comparison.
5. Everyday Convenience for Residents
One huge advantage of the Nolensville Town Square is how convenient it will be for it’s residents.
Sure it will be a place people will come for dinner or to walk around.
But for square residents, it will sit within a short walking distance of the new Kroger Marketplace, meaning groceries, essentials, and most everyday errands are all right there.
Most historic downtowns were not built for this type of convenience. For instance, the closest grocery store to Downtown Franklin is a 22 minute walk.
Here you can grab groceries, meet someone for coffee, walk the trails, and go out to dinner…all without getting in your car.
That level of built-in convenience is something you rarely find around here, and it will make the Nolensville Town Square not just the most convenient spot in town, but possibly the most convenient spot in the region.
6. Built-In History
One of the biggest advantages historic downtowns have is…well, actual history.
And that’s something new developments usually can’t compete with. But the Nolensville Town Square is not starting from a blank slate.
The plan actually preserves an existing historic cemetery within the development, which gives it a real, physical connection to Nolensville’s past.
Instead of trying to fake character, the Town Square is being built around something that has been there for over 100 years and is a real piece of the town’s history, and for generations, sat on private property inaccessible to the public.
And it’s not just being left alone…it’s being integrated into the overall design.
The surrounding area includes;
- A defined cemetery entrance
- Preserved focal tree
- Existing vegetation
- Natural stone terraces
All connected by greenway trails and pedestrian paths.
It’s a small piece of history, but it’s real.
7. Stacked Amenities
In addition to everything already discussed, another hidden strength of the The Nolensville Town Square will be ALL the extra amenities.
Just in the square center alone residents and visitors will be able to enjoy everything in the diagram above and listed below…
- 1/2 Acre Central Lawn
- Splash Pad / Christmas Tree
- Overhead Shade Structure
- Landscaped Areas
- Flexible Seating
- Swings
- Adjacent Pocket Park and Outdoor Dining
- Site Furnishings
- Community Mail Room
- Steps
- Raised Planters
- Adirondack Chairs
- Performance Stage
Additional amenities throughout include…
- Extra wide sidewalks (for pedestrian flow + outdoor dining)
- Structured parking garage
- Integrated surface parking (hidden behind buildings)
- Bicycle Parking (300 spaces)
- Pedestrian & String lighting
- Internal pedestrian connections
- Hidden trash, utilities, and mechanicals
8. Designed for Events, Festivals, Parades, and More
When the idea of a new town square was first being discussed many years ago, this was one of main points of persuasion being used.
Right now most events are held in the historic district. The problem is that Nolensville Road is a state controlled highway and can’t be shut down for these events.
So currently Nolensville does not have an area that’s well suited, and can be fully shut down for events and parades.
That will soon change.
From the upcoming Buttercup Festival in the spring, to the Christmas Tree lighting in December, and the weekly Farmer’s Market in between, to all the different parades, the Nolensville Town Square will soon be the spot residents associate with these events, and more.
I predict, once its all complete, we’ll see the list of annual events and festivals increase substantially. Because this is what the square was designed for.
I mean, they didn’t include a performance stage in the square center for nothing.
Who’s ready for regular live outdoor entertainment?
WILD CARD – High-End Restaurants and Shops
This is the only real wild card in the entire project, and it’s a big one.
Nobody knows exactly which restaurants, shops, cafes, boutiques, or local businesses will end up in the Nolensville Town Square.
But the setup is strong.
When you combine built-in residential foot traffic, steady through traffic, modern infrastructure, wide sidewalks, trails, open space, and a growing high-income population around it, the town square could become very appealing to higher-end restaurants and boutique retail.
And if that happens, it does more than just upgrade the local experience.
It opens the door to something Nolensville does not really have right now…tourism dollars.
Right now, when people visit the Nashville area, stops like Downtown Franklin and 12th South are already on their list.
It feels like a long shot right now, but if the Nolensville Town Square can draw a similar level of dining and retail, there is a chance it enters that same conversation, eventually.
Twenty years ago I was living on 30A Florida, selling real estate, and no-one there at the time thought Seaside would become what it is today. That’s the power of a really strong development. I see similar potential here.
But for that, only time will tell.
What This Could Mean for Nolensville
Everything is in place for the Nolensville Town Square to become the most important and most utilized spot in town.
The real question is how far it goes beyond that.
If the tenant mix hits at a high level, this will not just be a place people in Nolensville use.
It could become a regional destination.
And if that happens, Nolensville may have the kind of town square that not only serves its residents, but also draws people in from across the area.
Thinking About Buying or Selling?
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Call or text 615-809-4336 to reach us directly.
Because at the Tabor Team, we know Nolensville, and beyond.
