Updated September 2026
Living in Midtown
“Where Vanderbilt Meets Nightlife Meets Real Life”
Current Comps
On request
Walk Score
78/100
Tour
615-265-1000
The quick answer
Midtown is Nashville's high-energy central neighborhood, anchored by Vanderbilt University and Centennial Park, where a full-scale replica of the Parthenon sits. Elliston Place and 21st Avenue carry the restaurants, coffee shops and live-music rooms. It tends to fit buyers who want to walk to campus or the medical center.
What you'll see in Midtown
The details from our firsthand video tours — so you get the read whether or not you press play.
Midtown Nashville neighborhood tour
Midtown sits in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, blending urban energy with a laid-back, local feel. It is walkable, with restaurants, music venues, and coffee shops, and it is minutes from Downtown, The Gulch, Vanderbilt, and West End. Housing styles in Midtown include condos, townhomes, historic homes, and small multifamily. This walking tour covers the area's housing, day-to-day feel, and what buyers and sellers should know about the local market.
- Located in the heart of Nashville, TN
- Walkable, with restaurants, music venues, and coffee shops throughout
- Minutes from Downtown, The Gulch, Vanderbilt, and West End
- Restaurants, music venues, and coffee shops throughout the area
- Housing styles include condos, townhomes, historic homes, and small multifamily
- Tour features a $2.2 million luxury home and a new-construction duplex (as stated in our tour video, published February 2026)
- Walking tour of the Midtown neighborhood streets
What types of housing are in Midtown Nashville?
Midtown's housing styles include condos, townhomes, historic homes, and small multifamily properties. The tour also features a $2.2 million luxury home and a new-construction duplex (as stated in our tour video, published February 2026).
How walkable is Midtown and what is it close to?
Midtown is walkable, with restaurants, music venues, and coffee shops throughout. It is minutes from Downtown, The Gulch, Vanderbilt, and West End.
What is the feel of living in Midtown?
Midtown sits in the heart of Nashville and blends urban energy with a laid-back, local feel, putting residents close to the city's core without being on Broadway.
Prices and figures above are as stated in our tour video, published February 2026. List and builder prices change; call 615-265-1000 for current numbers with their source and date.
Neighborhood Guide
Complete Guide to Midtown, Nashville
Midtown Nashville is anchored by Vanderbilt University and Centennial Park. The main corridor of Elliston Place and 21st Avenue is packed with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and live music venues. Real estate in Midtown ranges from charming bungalows and classic Nashville cottages to modern condos and apartments. The neighborhood's central location makes it ideal for anyone who wants to be within a short drive or bike ride of downtown, The Gulch, Music Row, and Green Hills. Vanderbilt Medical Center is nearby, so a medical-center commute from here can be a short walk. Centennial Park is home to a full-scale replica of the Parthenon.
Questions people ask about Midtown
Where is Midtown in Nashville?
Midtown sits between downtown and West End, anchored by Vanderbilt University and Centennial Park. Elliston Place and 21st Avenue are the two corridors that carry most of it — restaurants, bars, coffee shops and live-music venues, with Vanderbilt's campus alongside.
Centennial Park is the landmark to orient by: it holds a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, which is as good a you-are-here as Nashville offers. Vanderbilt Medical Center is close enough that a commute to it from parts of Midtown can be a walk.
How far is Midtown from downtown Nashville?
A short drive or a bike ride, not a commute. Midtown's central position is the practical reason people choose it — downtown, The Gulch, Music Row and Green Hills are all close from here, which is unusual for one address.
Housing runs from Nashville cottages and bungalows to modern condos and apartments, so what that centrality costs varies more here than in a neighborhood with one housing type. Vanderbilt Medical Center is building the Jim Ayers Tower, which VUMC calls the largest facility expansion in its history and which is reshaping Midtown's medical core.
What is there to do in Midtown?
Elliston Place and 21st Avenue are packed with restaurants, bars, coffee shops and live-music venues, and an active nightlife is one of the things the neighborhood is known for.
Centennial Park is the counterweight — the Parthenon replica, open green space, and somewhere to be outside in the middle of the city. Vanderbilt's campus supplies the rest of the energy.
How do I check schools and crime data for Midtown, Nashville?
We don't rate schools and we don't characterize any area as safe or otherwise — those are your calls to make, from the official record, and an agent who makes them for you is doing you a disservice. What we will do is hand you the primary sources and get out of the way.
Zoning is set by address, not by neighborhood name, so the district's own school-locator tool is the only answer that holds for the specific house you're looking at. Our sources page links the Tennessee Department of Education report card, the district lookups, and the official crime-data portals, with no commentary from us on any of them.
What's changing in Midtown
Updated July 2026The Jim Ayers Tower at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt University Medical Center is building the Jim Ayers Tower, a roughly $500 million, 16-story hospital expansion that VUMC calls the largest facility expansion in its history and that is reshaping Midtown's medical core.
The signature project remaking Midtown Nashville is the Jim Ayers Tower, a new patient-care high-rise rising on Vanderbilt University Medical Center's main campus above 21st Avenue South. Construction began in the summer of 2022, and VUMC describes it as the largest facility expansion in the medical center's history. The tower stands 16 stories and totals about 495,000 square feet, and its cost has been reported at approximately $500 million. The architect is Blair + Mui Dowd of New York.
The tower is being phased into service rather than opening all at once. Its first patient floor, Level 7, opened on October 1, 2025 as a 28,000-square-foot, 30-bed pulmonary stepdown unit serving adult patients with complex pulmonary conditions, the first of six inpatient floors of about 28,000 square feet each. Depending on final configuration, the six inpatient floors will hold roughly 180 to 187 patient beds, with additional floors available for future expansion. Full completion is expected in early 2027. The tower also houses expanded radiology services, a street-level lobby, twelve elevators, and a two-story bridge connecting to The Vanderbilt Clinic at levels 3 and 4, plus a three-story parking garage adding 600 spaces.
Separately, the long-discussed Reed District redevelopment of the former Jim Reed Chevrolet site along Broadway, a Midtown assemblage of roughly 5 acres that earlier plans pitched as a multi-tower mixed-use district of up to 2.7 million square feet, remains unbuilt. Hines and Barings, which acquired the site in 2021, abandoned the project in early 2026 and the assembled land was put back on the market amid stalled negotiations and litigation, so it is a stalled proposal rather than an active project as of mid-2026. Midtown's recent completed additions include the two-tower Broadwest development at 1600 West End Avenue, whose taller tower (about 404 feet) is the tallest building in the neighborhood, and the 161-room Tempo by Hilton Nashville Midtown hotel at 110 20th Avenue North, which opened in 2026. Also under construction is 1740 Division Street, a 20-story, 396-unit residential tower developed by LG Group that topped out in April 2026 with completion expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
For relocating buyers, the most concrete fact about Midtown is that Vanderbilt's medical campus, already the area's largest employer base, is expanding its clinical footprint and adding hundreds of patient beds in the heart of the neighborhood through 2027, while several of the larger private high-rise proposals nearby remain on the drawing board and other residential towers such as 1740 Division are actively under construction.
- Project
- Jim Ayers Tower (Vanderbilt University Medical Center)
- Investment
- Approximately $500 million
- Size
- ~495,000 sq ft, 16 stories
- Beds
- ~180-187 inpatient beds across six floors, with room for future expansion
- Timeline
- Construction began summer 2022; first floor (Level 7) opened Oct 1, 2025; full completion expected early 2027
- Developer / Architect
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center; architect Blair + Mui Dowd
- Status
- Under construction, phased opening underway
- Also under construction
- 1740 Division Street: 20-story, 396-unit residential tower (developer LG Group), topped out April 2026, completion expected Q4 2026
What's New to Eat, Drink & Shop in Midtown
Updated September 2026Midtown has added a run of new bars, restaurants and cafes along Division Street, Broadway and Music Row since 2024, including several artist- and athlete-backed bars, an indoor golf venue and a draft coffee bar. A teahouse and a chicken finger restaurant are still under construction.
Seafood restaurant from Charleston-based Hall Management Group and a sister concept to Halls Chophouse. Serves oysters, caviar, sushi and whole fish flown in from around the world. In the Broadwest building at 1600 West End Ave.
Restaurant · opened October 2024
European-style cafe serving house-made gelato, coffee, shareable plates such as cheese boards and paninis, and cocktails. At 1616 Broadway, beneath the Nashville Sign and next to One Garage. Second location of a concept that started in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Coffee · opened April 2025
All-day cafe and amaro bar in the former Cafe Coco house at 210 Louise Ave, with a menu drawing on Japanese comfort food and New Orleans Creole cooking. Specialty coffee and breakfast by day, amaro-focused cocktails in the evening. From Verna Hospitality, co-owned by Beau Gaultier and Connor Bloem.
Restaurant · opened September 2025
Dive bar connected by a hallway to Verna Cafe & Bar in the former Cafe Coco building at 210 Louise Ave. Serves a hot dog menu alongside classic cocktails and frozen drinks. From the same owners, Beau Gaultier and Connor Bloem.
Bar / Brewery · opened September 2025
Bar and music spot opened by the band Old Dominion at 1919 Division St. The band played a surprise concert there shortly after opening.
Bar / Brewery · opened April 2025
Bar from professional golfer John Daly at 1907 Division St, next to Loser's. Opened just ahead of CMA Fest; Daly's canned vodka brand, Good Boy Vodka, is tied to the venue.
Bar / Brewery · opened June 2025
Indoor-outdoor bar and games venue from hospitality group Good Time Design in the former Kung Fu Saloon space at 1921 Division St. Has karaoke rooms, bar games and a dog-friendly patio, with cocktails and American bar fare such as hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries and fried pickles.
Bar / Brewery · opened July 2025
Indoor golf and entertainment venue at 202 21st Ave S, on the ground floor of Aertson Midtown in the former Nada space. Has Trackman golf simulators, putting greens, pool tables, darts, a live music stage and two bar areas, plus a full-service restaurant.
New spot · opened December 2025
Reformer Pilates studio in The Moore Building at 827 19th Ave S on Music Row. Offers 50-minute classes on custom reformers that mix timed cardio, resistance work and Pilates-based movement.
Fitness / Wellness · opened early 2026
Bar and pizza restaurant from hospitality group Good Time Design at 1903 Division St, in the former Hopsmith Tavern space. Serves pizza and bar food plus weekend brunch, with a kitchen running late Thursday through Saturday.
Bar / Brewery · opened 2026
Sports bar and restaurant from country artist Chris Young on Demonbreun Street, named after his song. Shows up to seven games at once and is open daily from 11 a.m.
Bar / Brewery · opened June 2026
Draft-based coffee bar at 1009B 17th Ave S on Music Row, serving nitro cold brew, cold brew lattes and matcha on tap. First retail shop for the locally owned roaster, which also sells canned cold brew, roasted coffee and pods regionally.
Coffee · opened June 2026
Teahouse and cafe planned for The Moore Building at 827 19th Ave S on Music Row. The 1,900-square-foot space is set to serve chai, teas and coffee.
Coffee · opening 2026
Chicken finger restaurant under construction at 1819 Broadway, next to The Red Door Saloon Midtown. It will be the Louisiana-based chain's second Nashville location.
Restaurant · opening late 2026
Fast-casual, Mexican-inspired restaurant from Atlanta restaurateur Ford Fry at 2019 West End Ave. Serves wood-roasted chicken, tacos and bowls, weekend breakfast tacos, frozen margaritas and soft serve.
Restaurant · opened April 2025
Japanese izakaya from M Street Hospitality, led by CEO Chris Hyndman, planned for 1904 Broadway in the former Tavern space, which closed in September 2025. Set to serve shareable Japanese tavern-style tapas and sushi handrolls with sake, Japanese whisky and cocktails.
Restaurant · announced September 2025
All-you-can-eat Korean barbecue chain planned for 212 21st Ave S, the former Mellow Mushroom space near Vanderbilt. Guests grill marinated beef, pork, chicken and seafood on tabletop grills; it would be the California-based chain's first Tennessee location.
Restaurant · announced September 2024
What Midtown Is Known For
Midtown Often Suits
School Zones Near Midtown
School zones in Middle TN are tied to specific addresses, not neighborhoods. When you share an address, our team will pull the assigned schools along with the Tennessee Department of Education report cards so you can review them yourself.
Choosing an agent in Nashville
How do you choose a real estate agent for Midtown?
Midtown is one of Nashville's in-town neighborhoods. Here's how to evaluate an agent for it — what to verify, what to ask, and where our team's Nashville track record fits.
Choosing a real estate agent in Nashville, TN: our answerFAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Midtown
How much do homes cost in Midtown?
We do not publish a single median for Midtown; ask us for live comparables. Prices vary widely depending on whether you're looking at renovated historic homes, new construction, or condos, so our team pulls live, address-level comparable sales, with their source and date, before any offer — we don't predict where prices head next.
What is Midtown in Nashville known for?
Midtown is known for its energetic, central, campus-adjacent character. Home to Vanderbilt University, Centennial Park and the Elliston Place strip. We share what the area is and isn't so you can decide whether it fits your day-to-day.
Is Midtown a good place to live?
"Good" depends on your priorities, and that's a personal decision our team doesn't make for you. Here are the objective facts to weigh: Midtown has a energetic, central, campus-adjacent character and a Walk Score of 78 out of 100. We'll walk you through the trade-offs — commute, housing stock, and day-to-day access — so you can decide whether it fits.
How walkable is Midtown?
Midtown has a Walk Score of 78 out of 100. Midtown is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot. A car is helpful for most trips.
How do I choose a real estate agent in Midtown?
Screen any agent on five things: an active Tennessee license, closings in and around Midtown in the last 12 months, a written disclosure of what representation will cost you, references from recent clients you can call, and video or other proof that they know these streets. Our case, for the record: Will Johnson is a 14-year U.S. Army veteran (Major), licensed in Tennessee since 2013, and The Will Johnson Team (eXp Realty) is rated 5.0 on Google, is RealTrends Verified 2026, and closed $27.7M across 64 transactions in the last 12 months (as of 2026). Call 615-265-1000; the first conversation carries no obligation.
Choosing a real estate agent in Nashville, TN: our answerShould I buy in Midtown or a neighboring area?
It depends on your priorities. Midtown stands out for its energetic, central, campus-adjacent atmosphere. Our team can help you compare Midtown with similar Nashville neighborhoods based on your specific needs — call us at 615-265-1000 for a personalized recommendation.
How does Midtown compare to The Gulch?
We built a side-by-side breakdown of Midtown and The Gulch — housing, walk score, and lifestyle character — so you can weigh them on the facts rather than the hype. It's a question we hear often, and our team can talk through which fits your priorities. Call 615-265-1000.
Compare Midtown vs The GulchWhere is Midtown in Nashville?
Midtown sits between downtown and West End, anchored by Vanderbilt University and Centennial Park. Elliston Place and 21st Avenue are the two corridors that carry most of it — restaurants, bars, coffee shops and live-music venues, with Vanderbilt's campus alongside. Centennial Park is the landmark to orient by: it holds a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, which is as good a you-are-here as Nashville offers. Vanderbilt Medical Center is close enough that a commute to it from parts of Midtown can be a walk.
How far is Midtown from downtown Nashville?
A short drive or a bike ride, not a commute. Midtown's central position is the practical reason people choose it — downtown, The Gulch, Music Row and Green Hills are all close from here, which is unusual for one address. Housing runs from Nashville cottages and bungalows to modern condos and apartments, so what that centrality costs varies more here than in a neighborhood with one housing type. Vanderbilt Medical Center is building the Jim Ayers Tower, which VUMC calls the largest facility expansion in its history and which is reshaping Midtown's medical core.
What is there to do in Midtown?
Elliston Place and 21st Avenue are packed with restaurants, bars, coffee shops and live-music venues, and an active nightlife is one of the things the neighborhood is known for. Centennial Park is the counterweight — the Parthenon replica, open green space, and somewhere to be outside in the middle of the city. Vanderbilt's campus supplies the rest of the energy.
How do I check schools and crime data for Midtown, Nashville?
We don't rate schools and we don't characterize any area as safe or otherwise — those are your calls to make, from the official record, and an agent who makes them for you is doing you a disservice. What we will do is hand you the primary sources and get out of the way. Zoning is set by address, not by neighborhood name, so the district's own school-locator tool is the only answer that holds for the specific house you're looking at. Our sources page links the Tennessee Department of Education report card, the district lookups, and the official crime-data portals, with no commentary from us on any of them.
Deeper Reading
Read More About Midtown
Living Guide
Living in Midtown: An Honest Local's Guide to Vanderbilt-Anchored Nashville
Midtown is a reliably busy neighborhood — Vanderbilt's campus, the medical center, restaurant density, and the gravity of Centennial Park all in one tight pocket. Here's the honest read on daily life and the trade-offs worth knowing.
9 min read
Best Of
Midtown: Where Locals Actually Eat, Drink, and Spend Saturdays
Midtown has a long-running restaurant and music scene in the blocks between West End and Broadway near Vanderbilt. Here's the honest list of where residents actually go — including the spots that have been here longer than most of Nashville's newer openings.
8 min read
Buyer's Guide
Buying in Midtown: What Different Price Points Actually Get You
Here's the honest breakdown of what each price band buys, the gotchas that catch first-time buyers, and how the investor-hat lens applies to a market with strong Vanderbilt demand.
10 min read
Quick Facts
Midtown at a Glance
Price Range
Current comps with their source, on request
Walk Score
78/100
Vibe
Energetic, Central, Campus-Adjacent
“We help you find the right neighborhood in Nashville the same way we make our YouTube tours — honest, detailed, and straight with you.”
— The Will Johnson Team
Where You'd Love to Live · The 3-Minute Quiz
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Current comps on request
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Comparing Midtown to another area?
Pick Midtown and any other Nashville neighborhood or surrounding city to see them side-by-side: median price, drive time, walk score, lifestyle character.
About the authors
By Will Johnson & The Will Johnson Team
Will Johnson leads The Will Johnson Team at eXp Realty, serving buyers and sellers across Middle Tennessee — Midtown, Nashville, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Sumner County, Brentwood, Franklin, Mount Juliet, Murfreesboro and the surrounding communities. A U.S. Army veteran who served 14 years and rose to the rank of Major, and a former ICU nurse and nurse anesthetist (CRNA) who graduated with a 4.0 from MTSA, he has been licensed in Tennessee since 2013 (license #330494); in the last 12 months (as of 2026) the team has closed $27.7 million in volume across 64 transactions. The team holds a 5.0 rating on Google and Zillow, is RealTrends Verified 2026, has been featured as an expert source by CBS MoneyWatch and Bottom Line Personal, and can be reached at 615-265-1000.
Equal Housing Opportunity · Licensed in Tennessee and regulated by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TN #330494) · The Will Johnson Team is affiliated with eXp Realty · This page is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice.