Short-term rentals approved above former 2nd Ave Old Spaghetti Factory

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Fifty-five short-term rental units are approved for Second Avenue as Nashville continues to rebuild following the 2020 Christmas Day bombing. The units are in a building that many long-time Nashvillians came to love, as it was the location of the former Old Spaghetti Factory.

The Old Spaghetti Factory was a Second Avenue staple for 40 years, but the restaurant’s lease was terminated after the bombing . The structure accumulated nearly $1 million in damages.

As the site is repaired, the first floor is still slated to hold restaurant or retail, and now 55 short-term rental units too, spread throughout five floors. That’s two more floors than prior to the bombing.

Metro Councilman Jacob Kupin brought forward the resolution to allow the short-term rentals , which were previously blocked due of the buildings proximity to Riverfront Park.

Kupin said affordable housing and permanent residences were considered, but weren’t found to be as cost effective due to the extent of the structure damage. Plus, Kupin said this will keep visitors in a major tourism area, not in residential neighborhoods, helping pump up the local economy and keep communities regulated.

“This is going to bring tourists to a re-developed Second Avenue and they’re going to walk out their front door and they’re going to enjoy the shops and restaurants that are right there and they’re going to spend their hard-earned vacation money,” said Kupin.

The resolution has been approved by the full Metro Council.

“This is not a net-loss, this is a net-gain here,” said Kupin. “This allows for development of buildings and for every short-term rental downtown, that’s one less unit into the neighborhoods.”

At the time of the bombing, the restaurant employed 56 people, some who worked for the restaurant for more than 20 years. According to a company spokesperson, there were several antiques and collectibles inside of the restaurant, many of which were collected from old churches and venues throughout Music City, including a grand piano and crystal chandeliers.

News 2 reached out to the Old Spaghetti Factory to see if it has any plans of returning to the Middle Tennessee area, but has not received a response.

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