Imagine East Bank, a visionary waterfront plan developed by global design firm Perkins Eastman, has received a 2024 AIA New York State Design Award from the American Institute of Architects New York State (AIANYS). Recognized in the “Urban Planning and Design” category of the prestigious awards program, Imagine East Bank is a groundbreaking, resilient, and community-focused plan that represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the city of Nashville, TN.

Situated along the banks of the Cumberland River, the East Bank occupies a central location in Nashville; the 338-acre area is opposite the city’s downtown, located near a major interstate highway, and home to the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. Perkins Eastman’s Imagine East Bank plan seeks to restore the waterfront, bridge the East Bank-downtown gap, and foster community engagement, transforming the area from a barren industrial landscape into a vibrant and accessible urban space.

The plan envisions 22 million square feet of new mixed-use development across four walkable districts, each oriented around a series of key places and access to the river. The Central Waterfront District will feature a new home for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, a Mobility Hub transit center, 12 acres of new parks, and a new domed football stadium, which will anchor a mixed-use “stadium village.” Working closely with the Nashville Metropolitan Planning Commission and the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure, and building on a robust stakeholder engagement program, the team developed a bold vision for the future of East Bank based on four key elements:

• a walkable street grid that works with existing properties and expands connections to regional transportation networks,
• a continuous riverfront park, opening access to the Cumberland River for residents of East Nashville for the first time,
• a one-and-a-half-mile, multi-modal boulevard featuring a dedicated lane for Bus Rapid Transit that will serve as the transportation spine for the entire East Bank, and
• a comprehensive, district-scale strategy for enhancing the resiliency of the flood-prone area, which is integrated with the new open space network.

“We knew we had to work with the water,” said Perkins Eastman Principal Vaughan Davies. “When you start a design process acknowledging the fundamental difference of the site as being at the water’s edge, it resets the conversation of development and creating a truly equitable community. There’s enormous value to be derived by taking a ‘water-first’ approach.”

“Imagine East Bank provides a model for addressing the biggest challenges facing cities today, such as reorienting cities around a broader range of mobility options in urban neighborhoods, while anticipating the most pressing challenges of the future, like the continued impacts of climate change,” echoed Perkins Eastman Principal Eric Fang, AIA, AICP, LEED AP.

Imagine East Bank is one of 29 projects that received recognition from AIA New York State this year. Since 1968, the program has honored exceptional architecture projects—from local landmarks to international collaborations—designed by New York State-licensed and registered architects.

“I am deeply impressed by the exceptional quality and ingenuity demonstrated in this year’s submissions,” said Terry Welker, FAIA, Jury Chair of the AIANYS 2024 Design Awards. “They are clear evidence of how caring and dedicated New York architects are to the cause of design excellence and placemaking. These projects reflect a profound understanding and commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the unique cultural contexts in which they are situated. They are a testament to the power of design to positively impact our communities and shape a more vibrant future.”

AIANYS 2024 President Willy Zambrano, FAIA, echoed his thoughts. “The AIA New York State Design Awards are a testament to the extraordinary talent and dedication of our state’s architects. These awards celebrate their innovative spirit and their ability to create spaces that enrich lives and inspire communities. I extend my sincerest congratulations to all the esteemed recipients.”

Imagine East Bank will be honored, along with the rest of the winning projects, at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, February 6, at 11:30 a.m. ET. Award levels will also be revealed then, as well as which of the 29 winning projects received the “Best of the Best” designation. Register for the celebration on Zoom here.