Franklin is changing. If you’ve driven down I-65 lately, past the rolling hills of Tennessee, you’ve seen the cranes. It’s a lot. People talk about "mixed-use developments" like they are some kind of magic pill for urban sprawl, but honestly, most of them feel like cardboard cutouts of a real city. You get a chain coffee shop, a gym, and maybe a bank. But Berry Farms Town Center feels different, and there is a very specific reason for that.
It is about the dirt. Specifically, the Hughes family land. This isn't some corporate plot bought by a hedge fund last Tuesday. We are talking about land that has been in the same family since the early 19th century. When Boyle Investment Company started moving dirt here, they weren't just building a retail hub; they were trying to figure out how to keep the "Franklin" feel while adding thousands of residential units and office spaces. It's a massive 600-acre project, but the Town Center is the heartbeat of the whole thing.
What is actually happening at Berry Farms Town Center?
If you go there today, you’ll see three distinct "districts." There’s Reams Fleming, Chadwell Port, and Town Center. Town Center is the pedestrian-friendly core. Think walkable. Think narrow streets. It’s designed to mimic an old-school village where you don’t need a car to get a loaf of bread or a decent cocktail.
It’s easy to get lost in the marketing fluff, so let's look at the actual tenants. You’ve got the staples. Publix is the anchor, which basically makes it the "pantry" for everyone living in the nearby apartments and townhomes. But the real flavor comes from the local spots. Whit’s Frozen Custard? Always has a line. Soulshine Pizza? It’s a vibe.
The architecture is intentionally traditional. They call it "New Urbanism." It’s a fancy way of saying they put the buildings close to the sidewalk so you actually feel like a human being instead of a guest in a parking lot’s world.
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The business side of the Berry Farms equation
Companies are fleeing Nashville's high-rise prices. They want the Franklin zip code without the downtown Nashville headache. This is why Berry Farms Town Center has become a massive employment hub.
Lee Company moved their headquarters here. Ramsey Solutions—Dave Ramsey’s massive financial empire—is just a stone’s throw away. This creates a weirdly specific ecosystem. During the day, the Town Center is crawling with professionals in business casual grabbing lunch at Titus’s Fine Men’s Salon or snagging a sandwich at Firehouse. By 6:00 PM, it shifts. It becomes a neighborhood. Kids on scooters. People walking dogs.
Why the location is a double-edged sword
Berry Farms sits right at the interchange of I-65 and Goose Creek Bypass. On one hand, it's incredibly convenient. You can be in downtown Franklin in ten minutes or Cool Springs in five. On the other hand, traffic.
If you’ve lived in Williamson County for more than five minutes, you know that Goose Creek Bypass can become a parking lot. The planners tried to mitigate this with multiple entrances, but let's be real: when 1,100 residential units are fully occupied and the office buildings are at capacity, the infrastructure feels the weight. It’s the price of growth.
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The "Village" lifestyle vs. Reality
Living in the Town Center means living in a fishbowl, but some people love that. You’ve got luxury apartments like many of the ones managed by Lincoln Property Company. They aren't cheap. You’re paying for the ability to walk to Ludlow & Prime for a steak dinner without ever touching your car keys.
But there’s a nuance here most people miss. Berry Farms isn't trying to be a "mini-Nashville." It’s trying to be a modern version of what Franklin was a hundred years ago—a place where commerce and living are messy and intertwined.
- The Farmer’s Market: This is a big deal. The Berry Farms Farmers Market runs seasonally (usually Tuesday afternoons). It’s not just for show; it’s a legitimate place to get local produce from Middle Tennessee farmers.
- The Hotel Factor: The Residence Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites are right there. This makes the Town Center a "landing pad" for business travelers who never have to leave the development to eat or work.
- Green Space: Despite all the concrete, there are parks and trails. They kept a lot of the old topography. It doesn't feel flat and sterile like some developments in North Carolina or Texas.
Common misconceptions about the development
Some people think Berry Farms is just a shopping center. It's not. It’s a massive master-planned community. If you only see the Publix from the highway, you’re missing 90% of the story.
Others think it’s "too corporate." While it’s true that big names like CKE Restaurants (the folks behind Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.) moved their HQ nearby, the retail remains surprisingly boutique. You won’t find a Best Buy or a Target here. You’ll find things like Bound Booksellers or specialty boutiques. It’s curated.
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Is it expensive? Yes. Williamson County is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. The price per square foot reflects that. Whether you’re looking at a brownstone or a commercial lease, you’re paying a premium for the "Berry Farms" name.
Looking ahead: What’s next for the Town Center?
The build-out isn't done. While much of the Town Center feels "finished," there are still parcels under development. The goal is to eventually have millions of square feet of office and retail space.
We are seeing a trend where more medical offices are moving in. Vanderbilt Health and other providers are snatching up space because they want to be where the families are. This adds another layer of "necessity" to the Town Center. It’s not just a place to have fun; it’s a place to get your physical or see a specialist.
The real test will be how the community ages. New Urbanism projects can sometimes feel "Disney-fied" when they are brand new. The best ones—the ones that actually survive and become real neighborhoods—are the ones that allow for a little grit and character to grow over time.
Actionable insights for visitors and residents
If you’re planning to visit or considering moving to the area, keep these practical points in mind:
- Time your commute. If you are working in the Town Center but living elsewhere, avoid the I-65 South exit during the 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM window. It’s brutal. Use the back roads through Lewisburg Pike if you have to.
- Support the "Mom and Pops." The big anchors will be fine, but the unique character of Berry Farms depends on the smaller shops. Go to the local coffee spots. Use the local dry cleaners.
- Check the events calendar. The development often hosts seasonal events, from Christmas tree lightings to summer concert series. It's the best way to see if you actually like the "vibe" before signing a lease.
- Walk the trails. Don't just stay on the sidewalks. The trail system connects the different districts and offers some of the best views of the Tennessee landscape that haven't been built over yet.
- Look at the residential mix. If you’re moving here, realize there’s a difference between the apartments in the heart of the Town Center and the single-family homes further back. The Town Center is loud. It’s active. If you want quiet, head toward the Reams Fleming side.
Berry Farms Town Center represents a specific vision of the future of the South. It’s dense, it’s pricey, and it’s meticulously planned. But at its core, it's still a piece of the Hughes family farm, trying its best to stay grounded while the world around it grows at a breakneck pace.