A new chapter is beginning for RiverGate Mall, the 1971 retail landmark that has long anchored North Nashville, Madison and Goodlettsville. Nashville-based developer Merus announced Tuesday that it has acquired the 57-acre property and will move forward with a multi-phase redevelopment designed to replace the aging enclosed mall with a walkable mixed-use district.

The project, estimated at roughly $450 million at full buildout, would convert the traditional mall layout into a connected street grid with housing, neighborhood-focused retail and dining, entertainment space, medical and office uses, and publicly accessible green space.

Initial demolition is expected to begin in spring 2026, with the first vertical construction targeted for later in the year. Full buildout is projected to extend into the early 2030s.

From Enclosed Mall to Open District

Rather than retrofit the existing structure, Merus plans a comprehensive reconfiguration of the site. The master plan calls for:

About 700 multifamily units

100 townhomes

80 independent senior housing units

More than 130,000 square feet of retail and dining

A central green and plaza designed for community events

New internal streets, utilities and pedestrian-oriented infrastructure

The redevelopment of RiverGate Mall mirrors a broader movement across the U.S., where aging enclosed malls are being reimagined to meet modern retail and community needs. Similar to Seminole Towne Center in Sanford, Florida, which is undergoing a transformation anchored by a new Costco and redesigned retail spaces, RiverGate’s project blends retail, housing, office space, and public green areas. Together, these projects highlight a national trend of revitalizing malls to drive local economic growth while adapting to evolving shopping patterns.

In a notable regional transit move, Merus also said it will donate a portion of the site to Metro Nashville to support future rapid bus transit expansion through the WeGo system — positioning the project to integrate with longer-term mobility planning.

Patrick Poole, Merus’ senior vice president and Nashville market leader, said the redevelopment aims to preserve RiverGate’s historic role in the community while modernizing the property for current market demands.

Public-Private Structure

Metro Nashville and the City of Goodlettsville approved Tax Increment Financing (TIF) packages to support the redevelopment. These incentives typically reimburse developers for eligible infrastructure improvements using future incremental tax revenues generated by the project.

Merus is working with:

Fulmer Lucas Engineering (civil engineering)

Smith Gee Studio (land planning and master planning)

Pinnacle Bank (lending partner)

Local coordination is ongoing with Metro Nashville and the City of Goodlettsville as entitlements and phasing move forward.

Economic Impact

At scale, the project is expected to generate hundreds of construction jobs and, once completed, hundreds of permanent positions across retail, residential management, medical and service sectors. Officials also anticipate a broader expansion of the local tax base as new residential and commercial activity replaces the declining mall format.

RiverGate Mall Redevelopment: Project Factsheet

North Nashville, Madison & Goodlettsville, Tennessee

At a Glance

Developer:  Merus (Nashville-based)

Property:  RiverGate Mall — a 57-acre site established in 1971

Estimated Total Investment:  $450 million at full buildout

Project Type:  Mixed-use redevelopment — enclosed mall to walkable urban district

Demolition Start:  Spring 2026

First Vertical Construction:  Late 2026

Full Buildout:  Early 2030s

Development Program

The master plan replaces the enclosed mall layout with a connected street grid and diverse mix of uses:

• Approximately 700 multifamily residential units
• 100 townhomes
• 80 independent senior housing units
• More than 130,000 sq ft of neighborhood-focused retail and dining
• Central green and plaza designed for community programming and events
• Entertainment space, medical uses, and office space
• New internal streets, utilities, and pedestrian-oriented infrastructure
• Transit land donation to Metro Nashville to support WeGo rapid bus expansion

Project Partners & Financing

Civil Engineering:  Fulmer Lucas Engineering

Land & Master Planning:  Smith Gee Studio

Lending Partner:  Pinnacle Bank

Public Financing:  Tax Increment Financing (TIF) approved by Metro Nashville and the City of Goodlettsville

TIF incentives are structured to reimburse eligible infrastructure costs using future incremental tax revenues generated by the project. Local entitlement coordination is ongoing with both Metro Nashville and Goodlettsville.

Economic Impact

• Hundreds of construction jobs anticipated during multi-phase build-out
• Hundreds of permanent positions across retail, residential management, medical, and service sectors upon completion
• Expanded tax base as new residential and commercial activity replaces declining enclosed mall format
• Transit integration with WeGo bus rapid transit for long-term regional mobility

Broader Context

RiverGate Mall has anchored the North Nashville, Madison, and Goodlettsville communities since 1971. Its redevelopment reflects a national trend in which aging enclosed malls are repositioned as mixed-use districts combining housing, retail, and public space.

In fast-growing regions like Middle Tennessee, such projects increasingly prioritize density, connectivity, and transit access over single-use retail. If delivered as planned, the RiverGate redevelopment would represent one of the largest suburban mall transformations in the Nashville region to date.