Designing The Bend at Capitol District: A New Chapter for Nashville
In the heart of downtown Nashville, a powerful vision is taking shape. The Bend at Capitol District is more than a mixed-use development—it’s the continuation of a journey rooted in belief: belief in a city, in long-term partnerships, and in the power of thoughtful design to shape how people live, stay, and connect.
As the branding, interior design, and procurement partner, The Gettys Group is honored to bring that vision to life alongside Ridgeline Development Partners (RDP) and Marriott International. Together, we’re helping craft a destination that reflects the best of Nashville’s evolving identity—and speaks to what hospitality and home can mean in a new era.
A Project Years in the Making
At the groundbreaking ceremony, one thing was made clear: this wasn’t just the beginning of construction—it was the continuation of something bigger. “This groundbreaking represents not the start of construction, but the continuation of a journey,” said Roger Hill, Chairman of The Gettys Group and a key partner in the project’s vision from the start. That journey began more than a decade ago when RDP identified the site’s potential and invited The Gettys Group into a conversation about possibility. What emerged was a layered destination that blends three distinct Marriott brands, residential offerings, and community-focused retail—all on one full city block.
A Multi-Brand Strategy That Reflects Real Life
The Bend features a 188-key Moxy Hotel, 128 fully furnished Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy (The Delle), 133 for-rent residences, and 17,000 square feet of street-level retail—all tied together by a paseo designed to foster connection.
For Marriott International, the project reflects more than expansion. It reflects evolution. “This one is particularly personal,” said Diana Plazas-Trowbridge, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Marriott’s Select Service Brands. “Our core values align. We’re looking for places where we can serve the community and create places where people can live, work, and play.”
That sense of purpose is embedded in the multi-brand strategy. From the bold, social energy of Moxy to the extended-stay comfort of The Delle, and the long-term livability of the residential offering, The Bend creates optionality without compromising cohesion. It meets people where they are—whether that’s for one night, one month, or one year.
Design That Bends to the City
At The Gettys Group, we approached The Bend as a design opportunity grounded in context. Working closely with S9 Architecture and Smith Gee Studio, we developed a massing strategy that responds to the site’s unique geometry and civic setting. The architecture quite literally bends to the block—making space for people, light, and life.
Inside, our team created distinctive experiences across the three brands while maintaining a unifying sense of place. At Moxy, guests will find bold contrast, layered texture, and an irreverent wink that speaks to the brand’s signature style. At The Delle, we embraced natural materials, warmth, and flexibility—designing a space that balances comfort with long-stay functionality.
And across the entire development, retail and community spaces are designed to invite engagement—not just serve passersby.
From Model Room to Movement
Earlier this year, we completed a successful model room review for The Delle—an important moment where vision became tangible and collaborative alignment sharpened. At The Gettys Group, we see the model room as a moment of truth: where every decision is stress-tested, refined, and brought to life.
Following that success, we’re now moving full speed ahead into the next stages of design—sourcing, specifying, and coordinating every element to ensure the built environment delivers on the promise of the vision.
A Development That Aligns Values
The deep collaboration between The Gettys Group, RDP, and Marriott is one built on shared ambition and trust. That alignment is what allows bold, complex developments like The Bend to succeed—not just in design, but in execution.
“The relationship between Marriott, Ridgeline, and The Gettys Group has been amazing,” one executive noted at the groundbreaking.“And I’m so grateful our core values align. That’s how you create places that matter.” That alignment shows up in the details—in every material selected, every guest journey mapped, and every stakeholder voice considered. It’s why The Bend feels like more than a mixed-use project. It feels like a destination with soul.
Looking Ahead
We’re proud to be part of The Bend. Not just for the milestone it represents, but for the momentum it continues to generate. As construction moves forward and the skyline begins to shift, we remain focused on the same goal we’ve had since day one: creating places that connect.
Places that serve the guest and the neighbor. That reflect Nashville’s past and future. That bend, intentionally, to meet the needs of modern life. Because when you lead with design, and build with purpose, you shape more than buildings. You shape the way people experience the city around them.
