A massive new shopping and dining complex is headed to Gallatin, and developers say it could become one of the most important retail destinations in Sumner County. The Crossroads of Gallatin, a nearly 300,000-square-foot retail complex planned for Green Lea Boulevard and Harris Lane near Vietnam Veterans Boulevard/SR-386, is set to break ground in early November.
The project is being built by GBT Realty Corporation, a Brentwood-based developer that has developed more than 35 million square feet of commercial space in 22 states since its founding in 1987, according to Southeast Real Estate Business. GBT Realty is expected to become one of the most active commercial developers in the region after announcing in February that it had raised $1.3 billion in capital for built-to-suit retail projects and shopping center acquisitions, formed alongside capital partner AEW Capital Management, as reported by CITY NOW NEXT. As reported by WZTV, the development is expected to become the largest new shopping destination built in the Nashville area in 12 years.
George Tomlin said Gallatin has become one of Middle Tennessee's most compelling growth stories, per the station's report. The Crossroads of Gallatin will include restaurants, cafés, health and wellness providers and other complementary uses, along with retailers and services meant to make everyday life more convenient. Six outparcels ranging from one to 1.7 acres are available for different uses, and the project will mix larger, well-known stores with smaller shops, the same outlet notes.
From Chandler Marketplace to a Commercial Hub
The site wasn't always destined for retail. It was previously designated in city planning records as Chandler Marketplace before the Gallatin City Council unanimously voted to rezone 25 acres near Harris Lane and Green Lea Boulevard from mixed-use to commercial-only, according to the City of Gallatin. Local officials favored commercial amenities over additional housing at the intersection, according to the same city planning record.
City planning documents discuss Crossroads Phase 2 near the State Route 386 interchange, per the City of Gallatin. Gallatin planning officials have compared the physical scale and regional draw of the development to Glenbrook Centre in neighboring Hendersonville, a master-planned complex spanning over 500,000 square feet anchored by Target and Kroger, according to Main Street Media of Tennessee.
Traffic Concerns Still Being Worked Out
Green Lea Boulevard is expected to carry about 21,700 cars daily once the center is finished, while Vietnam Veterans Boulevard already carries more than 47,000 cars each day, according to WZTV. Gallatin city planners have required a comprehensive Traffic Impact Study before advancing Phase 2, mandating reviews of road improvements and pedestrian connectivity at Green Lea Boulevard and Harris Lane, the same outlet's report notes.
More than 15,000 homes are planned or already under construction within a 10-minute drive of the site, and the surrounding area already has more than 63,000 residents, per the station's account. That growth has fueled broader debate at city hall: this month, the Gallatin City Council reviewed ordinance proposals for temporary moratoriums on new apartment applications and data centers as municipal leaders weigh the city's pace of growth, according to The Gallatin News.
A City Built for Retail Investment
Gallatin's population climbed from 44,431 during the 2020 decennial census to an estimated 52,489 by 2024, reflecting population growth in Sumner County, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The population figures provide context for infrastructure and public safety needs.
Gallatin's economic development is another focus as the city grows, according to the Nashville Business Journal. Retailers are eyeing Gallatin now as the city continues to grow.
GBT Realty says it will release more details about specific stores and restaurants as deals are finalized, and WZTV reports it will continue following the development as it moves forward. For now, city planners and residents alike are watching how the traffic studies and zoning conditions play out before the first shovels hit the ground in early November.
