What If We Didn’t Tear Down the Old Titans Stadium?

A Thought Experiment for the Old Titans Stadium

As Nashville prepares for the next chapter of Titans football with a new stadium on the horizon, the fate of the existing stadium is largely settled: demolition, followed by a new park along the Cumberland River.

That plan makes sense on many levels. Parks are valuable. Open space is rare. And large concrete structures aren’t always easy to repurpose.

But let’s pause for a moment, not to oppose the plan, but to explore a thought experiment:

What if the old Titans Stadium wasn’t demolished? What if it became something entirely new?

Illustration for Remodeled Titans Stadium

The Stadium as a Framework, Not a Ruin

Large stadiums are often viewed as single-purpose giants. Once their original use expires, they’re seen as obsolete. But structurally, a stadium is something else entirely:

• A massive, already-entitled urban footprint

• Incredible riverfront access

• Robust infrastructure (utilities, circulation, transit access)

• A recognizable civic landmark

Instead of treating the stadium as a liability, what if we treated it as a framework—a shell that could be adapted into a mixed-use district?

Reimagining the Bowl: Housing, Offices, and Everyday Life

Imagine carving into the stadium’s structure rather than erasing it.

Housing

• Mid-rise apartments and condos integrated into the existing seating bowl

• Terraced units where seats once stood, overlooking the field

• A mix of market-rate, workforce, and possibly student or short-term housing

Stadiums are already designed around views, circulation, and crowd flow—qualities that translate surprisingly well into residential architecture when thoughtfully adapted.

Terraced Housing

Retail & Local Business

• Restaurants, cafés, and neighborhood retail at concourse level

• Small storefronts that open both inward (to the field/park) and outward (to surrounding streets)

• Space for local makers, not just national chains

Instead of a destination that’s active only on game days, this becomes a place people use every day.

Office View from Renovated Titans Stadium

Office & Creative Space

• Flexible office floors carved into the upper levels

• Studios for creatives, nonprofits, or startups

• Coworking spaces with river and skyline views

With hybrid work becoming the norm, these kinds of adaptable, character-rich office environments are increasingly attractive.

The Field Becomes the Park

Here’s the key move that keeps the spirit of the current plan alive:

The field itself becomes the park.

• A sunken, protected green space at the heart of the development

• Lawns, trees, playgrounds, event spaces

• A place for farmers markets, movie nights, casual recreation

A New Park in the Middle of the Old Football Field

Unlike a typical park, this one is framed by architecture—creating a sense of enclosure, identity, and scale that’s hard to replicate.

It becomes Nashville’s most unique public room.

Why Even Entertain This Idea?

This isn’t about saying the current plan is wrong. It’s about asking bigger questions about urban potential.

Sustainability

• Reusing a massive structure avoids the carbon cost of demolition and new construction

• Adaptive reuse is often the most environmentally responsible option

Density Where It Belongs

• Riverfront land near downtown is incredibly valuable

• Mixing housing, jobs, and green space reduces sprawl pressure elsewhere

Urban Identity

• Cities around the world are embracing bold reuse projects

• Nashville could set a precedent instead of following a standard playbook

Challenges (And Yes, There Are Many)

Of course, this wouldn’t be simple:

• Structural limitations

• Cost and phasing complexity

• Code, life safety, and accessibility upgrades

• Financing a non-traditional development

But cities don’t grow by only doing what’s easy.

A Conversation Worth Having

Even if the old Titans Stadium is ultimately demolished—and it likely will be—there’s value in exploring ideas like this. Thought experiments push us to see infrastructure not as disposable, but as raw material for future city-making.

Nashville is growing fast. The decisions we make today will shape how the city feels for generations.

Before the wrecking ball swings, it’s worth asking:

What else could this have been?