The Emory at Nashville Yards

When Clark Construction partnered with Southwest Value Partners to build the residential towers at Nashville Yards, they chose Chicago-based Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) to design what would become two of downtown Nashville’s most striking architectural statements. The Emory, alongside its sister tower The Everett, represents a new chapter in Nashville’s urban evolution—bringing sophisticated high-rise living to the heart of Music City.

Rising 35 stories above Commerce Street, The Emory showcases SCB’s mastery of contemporary high-rise design. Founded in 1931, Solomon Cordwell Buenz has shaped skylines across America for nearly a century, and their Nashville Yards towers demonstrate why they remain leaders in urban residential architecture. The firm’s approach balances the technical demands of high-density living with the contextual sensitivity that makes great architecture feel at home in its setting.

Clark Construction, renowned for delivering complex urban projects on schedule and to exacting standards, managed the intricate logistics of building two towers simultaneously within the active Nashville Yards development. Their expertise in high-rise construction proved essential in coordinating the sophisticated building systems and premium finishes that define The Emory’s luxury residences.

From an architectural photography perspective, The Emory offers remarkable opportunities to capture the interplay between Nashville’s historic downtown fabric and its emerging contemporary identity. SCB’s design emphasizes transparency and verticality, with expansive glass facades that reflect both the Tennessee sky and the surrounding urban landscape. The tower’s positioning within Nashville Yards creates compelling visual relationships with the development’s mixed-use programming—from Amazon’s corporate towers to the Grand Hyatt Nashville.

The building’s architectural sophistication extends beyond its exterior presence. Each of the 312 condominiums features 10-foot ceilings and carefully curated material palettes that speak to contemporary luxury while acknowledging Nashville’s industrial heritage. The shared amenity spaces, including a third-floor deck and rooftop lounges, provide dramatic vantage points for capturing both the building’s design and its commanding views of downtown Nashville.

For Clark Construction, The Emory represents another successful collaboration with leading architects in delivering projects that reshape urban landscapes. The tower’s completion in late 2024 marked not just the opening of a luxury residential building, but the maturation of Nashville Yards as a destination that balances sophisticated design with the authentic character that makes Nashville unique.

The Emory stands as evidence that great architecture emerges from the collaboration between visionary design, skilled construction management, and an understanding of place—exactly the kind of project that demands photography capable of capturing both its technical excellence and its contribution to Nashville’s evolving skyline.