Deep into a residential East Nashville neighborhood, at the broad and increasingly cool crossroads of Riverside Drive and Rosebank Avenue, sits a rakish cluster of tiny homes situated around a serene courtyard. Ironwood Grove—the city’s first micro-hotel concept—offers a refreshingly different and highly personalized urban oasis that also serves as a risk-free trial of sorts for the tiny-home curious. Ideal for both individual travelers or a large group of friends or family who want to be close, but not necessarily huddled in a single rental house together, the units all offer unique attributes and surprising creature comforts. The obsession with detail could come across as fussy if it weren’t done so tastefully. 

Weathered COR-TEN steel exteriors and cable deck railing first draw your eye. Inside, large windows and wonderfully effective skylights energize the spaces even on the gloomiest of winter days. Designed by New Frontier Design, the six individual units are between 250 and 300 square feet each and can comfortably accommodate two people with a queen bed, sofa, a full bathroom, kitchenette or full kitchen. 

This story appeared in the Spring 2022 issue of MILIEU. To read the complete story or to see all photos, visit the MILIEU Newsstand to purchase this issue in print or visit Zinio.com to purchase this issue in digital format.  

WRITTEN BY BUDDY KITE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNAH LOCKE AND KATIE SURA