The Opaline at Artist HIll

DBA’s first transit-oriented development in the Southeast, this 100% affordable, artist-oriented community will create 251 new homes, creative open space, and a vital transportation hub for this emerging Nashville community. The Opaline is designed to support affordability for artists and their families. 

Situated on a steep nine-acre site with a 60-foot grade differential, the Opaline is designed to balance the varying grades while enhancing the pedestrian experience. At the heart of the design, a dynamic central passage—the Artist Canyon—is a multi-tiered space with terraced amphitheaters, integrated seating, slides, access to live-work units, and connection to the nature trails in the surrounding area. 

Anchored by a plaza that activates Dickerson Pike, the Artist Canyon is lined with commercial, maker, and performance spaces that spill outside, fostering engagement for both residents and the larger community. 

In an area previously lacking sidewalks, bike lanes, or bus infrastructure, the new community will include a WeGo transit stop to improve neighborhood connectivity and access to public transportation.

This project's name—The Opaline—speaks to the mystery of light and material -- glass with a milky flow, opals shimmering with playful hues. It is not one color, but many working together in harmony. 

The Opaline is the first phase of a multiphase project at Artist Hill. The full 39-acre site includes rental housing, townhomes, retail, creative workspaces, green spaces, and community amenities—all designed to empower artists and elevate affordability.