A New Cultural Anchor on the Waterfront

BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, in collaboration with William Rawn Associates (WRA) and HASTINGS Architecture, has unveiled the design for Nashville's new Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC). The 307,000-square-foot complex is planned for the city's East Bank along the Cumberland River, with construction slated to begin in 2027 and completion targeted for 2030.

Four Venues, One Unified Framework

At the heart of the project, four distinct performance spaces—a Broadway theater, an opera and dance hall, a flexible black box theater, and a cabaret space—are clustered around shared public areas. Each venue is tailored to its specific acoustic and spatial requirements. The Broadway theater features layered seating volumes to optimize sightlines; the opera and dance hall prioritizes visual continuity with the stage; the black box theater allows flexible configurations without a fixed proscenium; and the cabaret space extends the stage into the audience for an intimate experience.

A Facade That Shifts and Breathes

The building's exterior is defined by bundled aluminum tubes that transition from vertical to horizontal orientations, creating openings, canopies, and thresholds. The layered envelope produces a dynamic visual identity that changes with the viewing angle, referencing both musical instruments and theatrical curtains. Arched openings in the facade expose interior activity, reinforcing the building's openness to the city.

Connecting River to Downtown

Two primary lobby spaces structure the visitor experience: a ground-level lobby opening toward the river and a proposed waterfront park, and an elevated lobby connecting directly to a pedestrian bridge. Cascading staircases and terraces encourage social interaction, positioning the building as an extension of the city fabric.

The facility includes rehearsal studios, classrooms, and support spaces to accommodate resident companies—Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, and Nashville Repertory Theatre—as well as touring productions and community events. Landscape design by OLIN integrates planting, gathering areas, and informal performance spaces around the building, while a rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of the Cumberland River and the Nashville skyline.

Cultural Catalyst for East Bank Redevelopment

Situated adjacent to Cumberland Park and Nissan Stadium, TPAC is conceived as a cultural anchor for Nashville's broader East Bank redevelopment. Rather than relying on iconic form alone, BIG's approach foregrounds public connectivity and civic presence, aiming to weave performance culture into the rhythms of everyday urban life.