WHAT’S NEW
HOTELS
SOUTHALL FARMS
Set on a working farm dedicated to education and exploration, Southall encompasses over 325 acres of lush, rolling Middle Tennessee hillside, creating a unique escape dedicated to saluting the agricultural heritage of the region while advancing innovative practices for a sustainable future. Southall features 62 guest rooms and suites, along with 16 stand-alone cottages; a spa that empowers guests’ well-being journeys with transformative treatments and mindful rituals rooted in natural elements; a wealth of farm, wellness, and adventure activities; and a signature restaurant and culinary program led by Executive Chef Andrew Klamar and Senior Vice President of Culinary and Agriculture Tyler Brown.
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES FRANKLIN COOL SPRINGS
The 124-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Franklin Cool Springs offers convenient access to downtown Franklin and is situated right across the street from the Cool Springs Galleria. Enjoy spending time on the rooftop patio, pool, or fitness center. Guests can unwind after a business meeting or fun day out in Franklin with comfortable rooms, an ideal location, and convenient amenities.
ATTRACTIONS & DEVELOPMENTS
COMPANY DISTILLING AT THOMPSON’S STATION
Formerly H Clark Distillery, Company Distilling opened its new signature blue doors in 2022 as part of a collaborative launch by some titans of the whiskey world, Heath Clark, Jeff Arnett (former master distiller of Jack Daniels), Kris Tatum (former master distiller of Old Forge), and others with the inspiration of gathering around with great company. Company Distilling has multiple locations in Tennessee, with the Thompson’s Station location focusing on the production of the brand’s award-winning Ghost Rail gin. Tours, along with tastings of Company’s signature whiskey, gin, and flavored spirits, are available daily, along with live music in the newly renovated outdoor space.
FIRSTBANK AMPHITHEATER AT GRAYSTONE QUARRY
FirstBank Amphitheater at Graystone Quarry opened in late 2021 and provides an amazing visual and acoustic experience for outdoor music events. It is built into the ground at the former home of a rock quarry created during the construction of Interstate 65. The world-class boutique amphitheater seats up to 7,500 attendees and attracts the biggest names in music, with LiveNation handling all bookings and catering to the VIP experience with intimate seating throughout the quarry and an elevated Southern food experience. The venue features 69 VIP Suites and 24 VIP Boxes across the middle of the amphitheater, plus 18 cliff-side suites elevated and overlooking the stage.
“MARCH TO FREEDOM” USCT STATUE
In a culmination of the community-led Fuller Story Project, a full-scale statue of a United States Colored Troops (USCT) soldier, titled “March to Freedom,” was unveiled on the public square in downtown Franklin in a place of equal nobility across from the Confederate monument that already stands in the public square. Tennessee native Joe F. Howard sculpted the statue that sits outside the historic courthouse steps where between 1863 and 1865, over 300 Williamson County men, most of whom were escaped slaves, joined the Union army. The statue honoring USCT soldiers, at the time of its unveiling, was only the sixth of its kind in the United States and the only one located on a town’s public square.
THE FULLER STORY HISTORIC MARKERS
Franklin’s history is a complex one that includes much more than just the Civil War battle that took place here. The full story of Franklin’s history is that some events and occurrences happened in its public square and its downtown area, particularly denigrating to the black citizens of the time, which would be considered wholly unacceptable in modern society.
While not a positive history or source of pride for Franklin, these events cannot be overlooked as if they never happened. After a community-led effort to tell “The Fuller Story,” five markers have been placed around the town square and in the roundabout that encircles the confederate statue in downtown Franklin. The two markers surrounding the public square on the roundabout share the story of the Battle of Franklin and the statue at the center of it, along with one describing the market house that stood on the square in the early years of Franklin’s founding which was used for the purchasing and selling of human beings.
Three other historical markers can be found around the public square outside the historic courthouse detailing reconstruction, the riot of 1867, and the local involvement of U.S. Colored Troops.
RIPPA VILLA
Civil War site Rippa Villa is now part of the Battle of Franklin Trust and can be visited individually or as part of a three-house package called “The Tennessee Campaign” that grants access and tours to Rippavilla, Carnton, and Carter House. Rippavilla is home to a Greek Revival-style mansion, separate outbuildings from 1851, an 1850’s barn, a family and slave cemetery, plus a Freedmen’s Bureau school. In 1864, history landed in the backyard of Rippavilla as the Battle of Spring Hill was fought in the fields surrounding the house. Classic house tours, lasting roughly an hour, are available, as are specialty tours, including a Battlefield Tour, Extended Tour, Slavery & Enslaved Tour, and more.
MCLEMORE HOUSE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM (RENOVATED)
The historic McLemore House & African-American Museum has reopened after a $125,000 renovation of both the interior and exterior. It was the home of former slave Harvey McLemore, who became a successful farmer. The McLemore House dates from 1880 and includes Colonial Revival architecture, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For generations, from 1880 to 1997, it was owned by the McLemore family before being saved from demolition by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County.
The House is now a museum, the McLemore House African-American Museum, and will reopen to regular tours on Saturdays from 10:00- 2:00.
WHAT’S COMING SOON
HOTELS
Current Hotel Development
There are two additional hotel properties in the development and/or construction phase in Williamson County which will account for over 200 additional rooms throughout the county.
ATTRACTIONS & DEVELOPMENTS
THE FACTORY AT FRANKLIN (RENOVATED)
The Factory at Franklin is undergoing an extensive renovation. The historic site is set for a refresh resulting in 80,000 square feet of retail (with many current tenants remaining), 80,000 square feet of dining, 80,000 square feet of office space, and 30,000 square feet of event and theater space. The reimagined Factory at Franklin property will feature a new Grand Hall, which will have a new bar as a focal point, flanked by various dining, beverage, and retail businesses. Renovations to the outdoor spaces of The Factory will add spaces around the iconic water tower—opening up a previously closed-off area to create a park-like atmosphere with added green space and outdoor seating directly below the landmark.
TURNER THEATER INSIDE THE FACTORY AT FRANKLIN
Turner Theater, to be located inside The Factory at Franklin, will be the permanent performance home of Franklin's professional theater company Studio Tenn. The theater will have a prominent box office and lobby area and includes dressing rooms, spacious aisles, gathering areas, and a balcony. Turner Theater will seat 329 patrons, with adjustable seating based on the performance or event, permanent lighting, and professional-grade sound and acoustics. It will provide a comfortable, immersive, and interactive experience for patrons and performers alike. The theater will be located in and around the area where the Jamison Theater was previously located inside The Factory, abutting both the new Grand Hall and Mojo’s Tacos.
MCEWEN NORTHSIDE
Mixed-use development McEwen Northside combines 750,000 square feet of office space with 100,000 square feet of restaurants and retail locations and the 150-room Spring Hill Suites Marriott to create a walkable, urban community in the heart of Cool Springs. Mixed amongst the interactive green spaces are notable local favorite restaurants Just Love Coffee Cafe, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Vintage Vine 100, and Tiff’s Treats, among more.
The next phase of McEwen Northside (known as the Block E phase and totaling 300,000 square feet) will feature a building of nine stories with eight floors of Class A office space, 30,000 square feet of creative office space, specialty retail and restaurant space located on the ground floor, and a sky bridge connecting the parking garage for convenient access. In addition, a freestanding 8,000-square-foot signature restaurant building has been planned with a second-floor showroom office encased with a glass exterior.
FRANKLIN GROVE ESTATE AND GARDENS
O’More College of Design’s former home, the five-acre campus in downtown Franklin that includes two 19th-century homes, will be transformed into Franklin Grove Estate and Gardens. When completed, Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens will house historical and art collections, a Center for Innovation for entrepreneurs in partnership with Williamson, Inc., multiple event spaces, a conservatory, and various scenic gardens.
CARTER HOUSE VISITOR CENTER
The Carter House, one of three historical museums on the battlefield of the Civil War’s Battle of Franklin, will construct a new visitor center near its current visitor center and museum. Like its sister property, Carnton, the Carter House visitor center will feature a museum and orientation center.
PEACOCK HILL NATURE PARK
The newest park in Williamson County, the 255-acre Peacock Hill Nature Park, will open in the College Grove Community. Peacock Hill will feature up to eight miles of hiking trails, a visitor center, multiple ponds, and multiple incredible scenic overlook views.