Gaylord Opryland Hotel planning $131M expansion

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — One of Nashville’s iconic hotels is getting a major upgrade over the next few years.

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., the Nashville-based ownership group for the resort and convention center, announced $131 million expansion is planned to complete in Spring of 2027. The expansion includes a new approximately 31,000-square-foot ballroom, 38,000 square feet of breakout space and 39,000 square feet of pre-function space.

Once complete, the group said the project will bring Gaylord Opryland’s total exhibit and meeting space to approximately 756,000 square feet and its meeting space per guest room to approximately 260 square feet, “solidifying its status as the largest non-gaming hotel by exhibit and meeting space” in the country.

“In recent years, Nashville’s popularity as a top meetings destination has skyrocketed, and we anticipate annual visitors and spending to continue this upward trajectory,” said President and CEO of Ryman Hospitality Properties Mark Fioabanti. “Our premium group customers are seeking modern, flexible carpeted meeting space, and this expansion will deliver the high-quality experience our guests have come to expect from us. In addition, we believe this expansion will attract new corporate groups to Music City.”

The meeting space expansion is the latest in a multi-phase capital improvement plan at the hotel, according to Ryman Hospitality Properties. Other previously announced projects include:

• A $17 million transformation of the Governor’s ballroom and pre-function space, expected to be complete this month;
• A $36 million renovation and reconfiguration of the Presidential ballroom and pre-function space, expected to be completed by mid-year 2025; and
• A $40 million new 550-seat sports bar, 6,200-square-foot event lawn and 3,000-square-foot pavilion, all expected to be complete later in 2025

The two ballrooms make up about 40% of the carpeted meeting space at the property today. The sports bar “reinvigorates the outdoor courtyard adjacent to the Presidential space and expands the hotel’s total food and beverage seating capacity,” according to the Ryman group.

“These projects leverage our deep customer relationships, strong partnership with our hotel operator and key learnings from similar recently completed projects across our portfolio, transforming previously underutilized areas on our Opryland campus into valuable space for our customers to enjoy,” Fioravanti said. “Gaylord Opryland has been an iconic national destination for nearly 50 years, and we expect that these transformational projects will drive its next phase of growth.”