UMG plans $250 million education facility in Berry Hill

Photo Credit: Charley Pangus

Universal Music Group plans to build a $250 million entertainment and education campus in the Berry Hill suburb of Nashville.

The proposed rendering features four zones that include music studios, education/office space, retail space, restaurants, a community building, and more than 400 parking spaces to accommodate. Zone one is a 34,000 square-foot music studio, zone two has a 59,500 square-foot music studio and a 3,500 square-foot restaurant alongside a residential building. Meanwhile, zone three features a community building with 224 parking spaces, while zone four features a 115,000 square-foot education office building, a 17,000 square-foot restaurant, and 218 parking spaces.

“The way that it’s being designed is really community focused,” said Nashville Metro Councilwoman Courtney Johnston about the campus. “They’re expanding the green space, they’re offering retail and restaurants and outdoor music venues.” Berry Hill City manager Joe Baker says Universal Music Group has already purchased some of the buildings, including East Iris Studios. He adds that commissioners have voted to approve the plan, but are also looking at alternatives.

The City of Berry Hill designated the alternative plan as the specific design and development standards for the four distinct zones. It also looked at a completed traffic analysis impact to analyze six intersections around the new development. As part of the educational initiative, UMG will designate the west side of Columbine Park for higher education music school programs to be led by industry professionals.

“The proposed mixed-use development is for an entertainment industry production and education campus centered around a vibrant public space bordered by a mix of restaurant and retail uses,” the development document submitted to the City of Berry Hill reads. “The improved and expanded public park includes a new community building, stage, and outdoor performance venue. “

“The development is anchored by state of the art recording and video studio facilities, an audio technology research and development lab, and a scoring stage which is the first of its kind in the central U.S.”