Plus, see the winning photo from our Picture of the Year contest.
 
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51º | Cloudy | 40% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:49 a.m. | Sunset 5:11 p.m.
 

Spotify Downtown Wrapped

Downtown Nashville’s 2023 in review
Nashville's skyline on a sunny day with the AT&T building as the main focus point.
Downtown Nashville ranks No. 1 in the country in recovery post-pandemic, according to a 2023 study. | Photo by NASHtoday
Did you know that 95 new retail businesses either opened or announced future locations in downtown Nashville last year?

That’s just one insight from the Nashville Downtown Partnership’s 2023 Annual Report, which offers a snapshot of economic development and market trends shaping the downtown core. Whether you call downtown home or just work or play there, let’s dig into the key findings.

Live

  • Downtown is home to 17,630 residents, up from 16,302 the previous year.
  • There are currently 4,400 units under construction and 14,530 planned units.
  • The largest cohort of downtown residents is Baby Boomers at 35%, followed by Generation Z at 31%, and Millennials at 27%.
  • 62% of residents identify walkability as their primary reason for living downtown.

Work

  • 71% of all downtown businesses are locally owned.
  • There are ~78,000 workers employed downtown.
  • The downtown office vacancy rate is currently at 11.5%.
A lit arrow sign attracted to a building and red brick building behind it

Follow the arrow to Fifth + Broadway. | Photo by @proofbranding

Play

  • 6.4 million people visited Fifth + Broadway for dining, shopping, and events.
  • 250,000 people gathered in Nashville for the 2023 Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th event.
  • NDP hosted over 1,100 free programs with 16,000+ participants in Church Street Park. Pro tip: Bookmark the calendar for 2024 programming.
The report also revisits a study on downtown recovery rates, released last fall, which found that Nashville leads other major US cities in post-pandemic recovery and has completely rebounded to 2019 levels.

Check out the full Annual Report for more stats on downtown, including hotel development, 2023 accolades, the number of active cranes (spoiler alert, there are 25), and more.
 
Events
Tuesday, Jan. 30
  • Art for Lunch - Behind the Scenes | Tuesday, Jan. 30 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Vanderbilt Fine Art Gallery, Cohen Hall, 1220 21st Ave. S. | Free | Join gallery director Amanda Hellman for an informal discussion and a close look at Kenyan artist Wangechi Mutu’s lithograph “WaterSpirit Washed Pelican” (2022).
Wednesday, Jan. 31
Thursday, Feb. 1
  • Monic Ductan | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | The Bookshop, 1043 W. Eastland Ave. | Free+ | Author Monic Ductan discusses her new short story collection, “Daughters of Muscadine,” in conversation with Johnisha Levi.
  • The Milk Carton Kids | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Ryman Auditorium, 116 Rep. John Lewis Way N. | $38+ | See the Grammy-nominated folk duo on their “I Only See The Moon” tour.
Friday, Feb. 2
  • Jason Singer of Michigander | Friday, Feb. 2 | 6 p.m. | Analog at Hutton Hotel, 1808 West End Ave. | $15+ | The indie rock singer-songwriter will be joined by special guest Young Ritual.
Saturday, Feb. 3
  • Jazz AM: Miles Davis | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 10 a.m. | Nashville Jazz Workshop, 1012 Buchanan St. | Free | This program for children ages 2-10 features live music and activities spotlighting the music of Miles Davis.
  • Sound Check Fan Fest | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | First Horizon Park, 19 Junior Gilliam Way | Free | Listen to a Q+A session with current and former Sounds players, participate in family-friendly activities, and enjoy free hot dogs and Pepsi products.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Trending

To quench, or not to quench?
Stanley water bottles lined up in a row in alternating colors.
The Stanley Quencher is Amazon’s No. 1 home and kitchen best seller. | Graphic by 6AM City
Ins for 2024: Portable hydration. According to Fast Company, Stanley — of the viral Stanley Quencher — made $750 million last year, and obsession with the water bottle is not slowing down.

But Stanley is not alone. Choose your weapon water bottle from today’s top brands:
Shop best selling bottles
News Notes
Open
  • Salento Italia, a new concept from the owners of Greko, Darfons, and Southside Grill, is now open at Emery Commons Plaza — 329 Donelson Pk. Check out the dinner menu + stay tuned for weekday lunch service launching next month.
List
  • Brown’s Diner represents Nashville on Southern Living’s list of the “South’s Most Beloved Burger Joints.” The publication praises the Hillsboro Village restaurant not only for its burgers, but also its neon signs, cold beer, and live music.
Announced
  • Monster Jam returns to Nashville this summer. Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 22 to see 12,000-pound monster trucks like Grave Digger and Megalodon take over Nissan Stadium. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 10 a.m.
Open
  • Franklin farm-based resort Southall opened its signature restaurant last week. January’s menu features dishes made with ingredients grown onsite and from local purveyors. Reservations are open for dinner service Wednesday through Sunday. (Nashville Lifestyles)
Plan Ahead
  • Or should we say Plant Ahead? Save the date for the 2024 Perennial Plant Society Sale on Saturday, April 6 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) at the Fairgrounds Nashville. Event organizers promise a “larger-than-ever selection” of locally grown perennials and shrubs. Bonus: It’s free to attend, but parking is $5.
Sports
  • The future of Titans football is bright, and you can be there for every memorable moment. Join Coach Callahan and the team at the brand-new Nissan Stadium by securing your place on the official waitlist. Learn about the three waitlist options + see more of the jaw-dropping stadium this way.*
 
Announced

📸 And the winner is...

See the winner of our 2023 Picture of the Year contest
A view of downtown Nashville at night shot from across the river with the Batman building at its focus. Beams of colorful lights jut out due to the camera's shutter speed settings.
Congrats to the inaugural Picture of the Year winner. | Photo submitted by Dakota J.
The votes are in for the NASHtoday 2023 Picture of the Year contest. Check out the finalists below, including the winner that you, our readers, voted for.

Winner: Nashville in neon

We’ve got to give a round of applause to Dakota J. for experimenting with camera settings to capture Music City in a new light.
Revisit the finalists
The Buy

The Buy 1.30.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Something for your kitchen from Coco Cadeaux’s collection. We’re loving: this charcuterie board cheat sheet, perfect for Super Bowl parties.
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The Wrap
 
Dylan

Today’s edition by:
Dylan
From the editor
I visited Cocorico’s soft opening last week and was blown away by the space (and the croissants). The cafe is located off the Music Row Roundabout and offers a food and coffee menu + grab-and-go cases stock with locally made products. Make plans to attend Saturday’s grand opening.
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