You Won't Believe What's Happening in Pie Town: A $2 Million Hotel Plan Sparks Controversy!

In an exciting development for Nashville's hospitality landscape, a new hotel named The Hoxton is set to take shape at 616 Ewing Ave. As reported by the Post in May 2025, this boutique hotel will span eight floors, offering 204 rooms along with below-grade parking. The site, acquired by 616 Ewing Partners, a group of investors led by Taylor Preston and Byran Fort, was purchased for $9.2 million in March 2022. The group is now seeking a permit for the construction of the building's structural frame, indicating that full-scale work could begin soon, though an exact start date remains to be announced.

The Hoxton brand, known for its European-centric approach to hospitality, is planning a late 2025 groundbreaking, with an anticipated opening in late 2027. The construction involves the demolition of an existing warehouse that opened in 1960 to make way for the new hotel, which will be located near popular venues like City Winery, Pie Town Tacos, and Tennessee Brew Works.

Overseeing this ambitious project is Ennismore, a London-based hospitality company that operates the Hoxton brand in 17 cities worldwide, including major destinations like London, Paris, and New York. In the U.S., the brand also has a presence in cities such as Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The design of the Nashville hotel will be handled by GREC Architects from Chicago, with a planned height of approximately 95 feet. Additionally, the interiors will be crafted by AIME Studios, part of Ennismore’s creative team.

Alongside its accommodations, The Hoxton Nashville is set to offer various dining options, including a restaurant, a bar, and a café on the ground level, plus a rooftop bar that promises stunning views of the city. This diverse food and beverage offering aligns with the brand’s goal to create a vibrant community space for locals and visitors alike.

In addition to the hotel, Preston and Fort have broader ambitions for the area. They also own a property at 720 Ewing Ave that is planned for redevelopment to feature restaurants and retail spaces. Furthermore, they acquired the nearby City Winery property through Evelyn Capital LLC for $21 million in December 2023, indicating a strategic investment in the local hospitality and entertainment landscape.

In a related development, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) is also making strides with a planned new building on the East Bank. TPAC's CEO, Jennifer Turner, previously announced an agreement with Metro to contribute $2.46 million for infrastructure costs, in addition to the $600 million budget for the building itself. This investment is expected to create approximately 5,135 one-time jobs during construction and could lead to an economic impact of nearly $895 million.

The architectural vision for the TPAC building is spearheaded by Bjarke Ingels of the Bjarke Ingels Group, with local design support from William Rawn Associates and Hastings Architecture. With site work projected to begin in the first quarter of 2027 and completion anticipated by 2030, these developments underscore Nashville's growing status as a cultural and economic hub.

As The Hoxton prepares to enrich Nashville's hospitality offerings, these developments highlight an exciting period of growth and transformation for the city, blending modern design with the area's vibrant culture and community spirit.