IKEA has been quietly scouting Nashville for more than six years. That is according to the Swedish furniture giant, who just announced plans to open its newest location in Antioch.
The new business could spark revitalization for a part of town that has been lagging since the recession.
In addition to 500 laborers needed during the construction phase, IKEA plans to hire 250 local employees to work inside the store.
Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2019 and be completed by the following summer.
IKEA spokesman Joseph Roth says the location on I-24 was ideal.
“There will be no direct funds or incentives to IKEA for this project,” said Roth. ”Obviously the city and state are working on the interstate on and off ramp and the roads. But because the metropolitan area is growing so quickly, we think long term this will end up being a very central location.”
The city has pledged to reconfigure the freeway ramps to ease the flow of traffic to the site, which will accommodate 1100 parking spots.
At a press conference, Mayor Megan Barry said IKEA will re-energize Antioch and draw other major companies to the area.
The Nashville IKEA will be the second location in the state. The first location opened in Memphis in December 2016.
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