Chinatown Development Planned for Nashville

In a revolutionary urban development endeavour, Nashville is anticipating the setup of its first-ever Chinatown, modelled after popular tourist attractions in cities such as San Francisco, New York City, and Chicago. Local investors, in partnership with global developers, are championing the creation of a vibrant Asian district in Antioch, a flourishing neighbourhood in the city.

A Local Take on Global Concepts

Nashville’s Chinatown is expected to encompass a large Asian supermarket, coupled with authentic restaurants and retail stores, amidst a backdrop of well-crafted Chinese architecture. “It will be a new tourist attraction, offering the unique and upscale Asian architecture, culture, shopping, dining, retail services and experience,” voices the project’s website. The managing partners behind this project are local investors Sheri Ma of MM Realty and Management and developer Rita Zheng of YHYS, LLC.

A Shared Dream

The partners realise their ambitious vision through the recent acquisition of a 4.83-acre property near the former Global Mall. Sheri Ma, echoing public sentiment, affirmed: “I feel like it’s not only the Chinese people’s dream, it’s everybody’s dream. It’s a cultural addition. I think it matches perfectly with what Nashville is growing [into] overall.” The project is set for completion by 2027, with the first phase planned for the next year.

The Road Map

The anchor of the project is a 44,000-square-foot Pan-Asia Supermarket, with an opening planned for 2025. Around ten restaurants, retail stores, and an events centre are scheduled to surround the market. The development partners are currently seeking approval from Metro Planning officials to modify the zoning regulations for their property to accommodate their plans better.

Funding the Dream

Zheng and Ma are working towards raising $27.5 million for their project, with about $4 million expected from EB-5 investors. The federal EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows foreign investors to secure U.S. visas by investing in commercial enterprises that create jobs in the U.S. As Nashville’s Chinatown is expected to create 300 jobs during construction and up to 500 full- and part-time positions once completed, this will help secure the projected investment.

Boosting Community and Economy

Councilmember At-Large Zulfat Suara expressed her excitement for what the Chinatown development might bring to the community, stating: “It’s another way of showcasing Nashville’s diversity and vibrant cultures. I am therefore looking forward to a project that gives the opportunity [to] celebrate the Chinese culture while boosting Nashville’s economy and providing a place for families and neighbours to shop and play.”