More than 20 years ago, a 104-acre stretch of land along Interstate 40 in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, looked nothing like it does today.What was once a rocky, rural site is now Providence Marketplace, the largest open-air shopping center between Nashville and Knoxville. It quickly became a regional destination that put Mt. Juliet on the map and redefined how the area lives, works, and gathers.
Scott Hinson, AIA, Commercial Practice Leader for McMillan Pazdan Smith, was at the heart of this transformation, playing a key role for the developer during Providence Marketplace’s birth and formative years. MPS was integrally involved with the masterplan and building designs.
Hinson was recently interviewed by WKRN News 2’s Mark Kelly for a look back at the construction of Providence Marketplace.
The team envisioned Providence Marketplace as more than a traditional retail center.
The goal was to create a destination for visitors and locals alike. This development is rooted in the principles of new urbanism — where shopping, dining, services, and shared spaces could come together to create a walkable, people-focused environment.
Placemaking like this is more common now, but back in the mid-2000s, Providence Marketplace was among the first of its kind in the region. Hinson recalls the ambition and the complexity behind that vision. Pulling this development off required persistence, collaboration, and an experienced team used to creative problem-solving. The site required extensive rock excavation, and thoughtful planning to ensure long-term success.
Today, Providence Marketplace continues to thrive and evolve alongside the growing community it helped shape. It reflects MPS’s integrated approach to master planning and design aligns developer goals, tenant needs, and long-term value with a plan and design that anticipates the future.