The topography of southern Williamson County is as diverse as anywhere in Middle Tennessee, with dramatic elevation changes marking the leading edge of the Highland Rim. Tucked in below Winstead Hill at the end of Franklin’s city limits is the 311-acre Harlin farm. Forested hills ring an enclave that Ezekiel Polk — paternal grandfather of United States President James K. Polk — first acquired by land grant in the 1820s.

Through two centuries, the grassy basin bisected by Polk Creek with the long western views has been home to a number of notable families; a cemetery on the northern edge of the farm includes Campbells, Critzes and Haffners, but for nearly 70 years, the Harlin family has occupied this hidden valley.

Tom Harlin bought the farm with the objective to establish a dairy in the 1960s. In the apparel industry by trade, Tom was also a partner with his brother Bill in the legendary Harlinsdale Farm. But Tom saw great potential in the Holstein breed, starting with 30 cows and ultimately managing more than 400 head that produced milk on three shifts. Tanker truck loads of milk came in and out of Hillview Lane, headed for Purity Dairy in Nashville or a regional co-op in Florida, which would then refill the tanks with orange juice. It took far more than 300 acres to sustain the operation — before Mack Hatcher Bypass cut through and stubbed into Hillview Lane, alfalfa hay and corn silage were grown everywhere below Winstead Hill. The Harlins leased and farmed hundreds of acres where Polk Place and Dallas Downs subdivisions now stand, where Target, Kroger and Chick-Fil-a operate, and as far north as the old Werthan farm on Columbia Avenue, where Taco Bell and self storage now exist. The Harlins’ dairy ceased operation 20 years ago, another piece of Williamson County’s agricultural legacy left to the history books.

Now the Harlin family has chosen Boyle Investment Company to shape the next generation of their land into a pastoral neighborhood that showcases the potential of Franklin’s new Village Green design guideline adopted by Envision Franklin in 2024. Village Green was developed in direct response to feedback provided by citizens across the community — let’s balance preservation with progress (per the City’s mission statement), require more open space, create limited mixed-use that mitigates vehicular traffic, and offer a diversity of housing and amenities that reflects the “Missing Middle” that Franklin residents have so long asked for.

In terms of housing product, there will be a mixture of town and country offerings. The town element will focus on the creation of a walkable hamlet with a blend of single-family homes reminiscent of Downtown Franklin and an array of attached residential offerings, from stately brownstones to well-appointed condominium flats with elevator access. The hamlet will be surrounded by much larger lots that balance the neighboring farms and estates, offering a relaxed country feel of two to eight-acre lots.

Boyle Investment Company has been a cornerstone of Middle Tennessee’s real estate landscape for over two decades. Since opening its Nashville office in 2001, Boyle has steadily grown its portfolio to nearly 4 million square feet of office and retail space and upscale residential development, with another 5 million square feet in development and planning. This growth is rooted in a philosophy that prioritizes long-term value creation, thoughtful design, and deep community integration.

In addition to its commercial success, Boyle has been in residential development as a company since its first development, Belvedere Blvd. in Memphis, TN in 1907. In Middle Tennessee alone, the company has delivered 1,818 residential units and has another 3,311 entitled residential units. This expanding residential portfolio reflects Boyle’s commitment to creating vibrant, livable communities that complement its mixed-use developments and enhance the overall quality of life in the region.

As a family-owned firm with nearly a century of experience, Boyle operates with a long-term mindset that informs every decision—from site selection to tenant relationships. The company’s conservative management style ensures financial stability, allowing it to invest in projects that stand the test of time regardless of market conditions.

Boyle’s mission is to build community. This is evident in its commitment to building Williamson County mixed-use developments like Berry Farms, McEwen Northside, and Meridian Cool Springs which blend walkability, livability, and workability into cohesive, enduring environments. This makes Boyle, a locally owned and operated company, one of the largest developers and property taxpayers in the county. Internally, Boyle fosters a culture of stewardship and integrity, empowering team members to take ownership of their work and build meaningful relationships with tenants, partners, and municipalities alike. Boyle’s values—integrity, humility, foresight, and genuine care—are not just aspirational; they are embedded in the company’s actions, culture, and built environments.

Harlin is meant to be an inviting community born from gracious hospitality. Like the close-knit family who called this land home for generations, Harlin will be genuinely warm and welcoming – a village green with a conscientiously-designed collection of homes, gathering spaces, specialty shops, thoughtful places to work, a boutique inn, and intimate events. Conveniently located just minutes from Downtown Franklin, Harlin will blend its beautifully serene setting that nurtures deep connections with nature with a welcoming spirit through its shops and gathering spaces that cultivates connection and camaraderie. For an afternoon, a weekend or a lifetime, Harlin will be home for friends you’ve yet to meet.

To create a conscientiously designed neighborhood rooted in hospitality, nature, unhurried joy, and room to roam.

Village Green, a preservation-minded development plan designed by the City of Franklin could not more perfectly depict what Boyle Investment Company has envisioned for the Harlin family farm, adding yet another chapter to the family’s legacy of historic preservation. The land itself as a gracious host, centered on open space, on expansive greens, on incredible sunsets and the seasonal meanders of Polk Creek. Arriving to Harlin from a dramatic ridge-top approach, the breathtaking valley comes into view. Slate roofs and stone speaks to an era of post-Victorian, turn-of-the-century architecture. You might see a church steeple rising above in the distance, or an old grain silo. When you look at the designs for Harlin, you see that spirit emerge.

It was an era of natural materials, where true luxury was long-term value, and architectural character was engrained in the community. It speaks to a slower way of life, to a community thoughtfully shaped to address human needs and bring people together. The amenities are better conceived, rich in culture and sense of place — maybe it’s lawn sports, a tea room, or a boutique inn, a general store, a wine bar, a Post Office like what you might find at the center of other iconic southern destinations. Small offices, artist incubators and live-work courtyards aside pastoral views. A place where people of all ages can live, work, and enjoy their environment at their own pace, with room to roam and ramble. This is the vision for Harlin, and for the Village Green design concept itself.

Infrastructure: Built for the Future, Rooted in Responsibility

• Thoughtful Phasing, Lasting Impact
  Roads take time. So does building a community that lasts. That is why Harlin’s development plan is intentionally phased to complement infrastructure milestones – both those led by Boyle and those championed by the City of Franklin and State of Tennessee.
• Franklin’s Commitment
  The City of Franklin has prioritized the Mack Hatcher Southeast expansion, backed by a recent property tax adjustment. That proactive funding from the City of Franklin has allowed TDOT to move forward with a 2032 commitment for the road improvements; this timeline blends with Harlin’s phased development.
• Major Upgrades, Proactive Improvements
  Boyle has committed to improve the Henpeck Lane/Coleman Road intersection and make significant improvements to the Mack Hatcher/Columbia Avenue intersection – an investment of three to four times what is required by the City’s Road Impact Fee calculations. The Harlin project will be phased in harmony with the completion of these improvements ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with growth.

Heritage Roads/Hillview Lane: Honoring Heritage While Planning Tomorrow

• Heritage Roads: A Community Tradition
  While not officially designated by government entities, heritage roads are a cherished recognition by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County celebrating the beauty and history of our region – a region that the Harlin family and the Boyle team call home and deeply care about.
• Hillview Lane: Protected with the Community in Mind
  Boyle aspires to advance a plan developed two decades ago to protect Hillview Lane from the impacts of Mack Hatcher’s completion. This plan was shaped by residents, local leaders, historians, and environmental advocates.
  The Hillview Lane plan includes preserving the tree tunnel and creating a pedestrian-friendly corridor that links to Franklin’s parks and trails system. It’s a vision that’s still visible today on the City of Franklin’s website, and one Boyle is proud to bring to life.
  Boyle and the City have agreed to:
  • Pave Hillview Lane in place to preserve its character (similar to preservation in practice on Old Natchez Trace)
  • Add a safety guardrail and restripe for a bike/walking lane
  • Install a 24/7 staffed gate at the cul-de-sac
  • Maintain the existing 26’ road width, which exceeds the City standards by 4’
• Walkability that Works
  Harlin’s mixed-use design means fewer car trips and more community connection. Residents will be able to walk to the Target/Kroger center and enjoy nearby shops and restaurants with ease.
• Smart Access, Thoughtful Design
  Harlin’s main entrance is on Coleman Road. Hillview Lane access will be limited to residents and future hotel guests only, with GPS routing all traffic to Coleman Road. Deliveries and visitor traffic will be directed to the Coleman Road entrance as appropriate.

Open Space, Thoughtful Density, and a Vision Rooted in Community

• Envision Franklin: A Community-Led Blueprint
  The Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA), along with the City planning and engineering staff, dedicated years to interpreting the community’s goal for the future growth of Franklin. The result?  A comprehensive update to Envision Franklin, adopted in Spring 2024, now serves as the guiding policy for responsible development and infrastructure.
• Village Green: A Preservation-Minded Innovation
  Perhaps most visionary is the Board’s creation of the Village Green land-use policy designed to balance Franklin’s rapid growth with intentional preservation. It requires 70% usable open space in any development, ensuring a smoother transition from city to countryside.
• Harlin: A Model of Village Green in Action
  Boyle’s proposal for Harlin reflects the very principles of Village Green:
  • 70% usable open space, totaling 210 acres, preserving hillsides and natural beauty while creating an atmosphere and landscape neighbors can enjoy while adding 6.5 miles of trails to Franklin’s greenway network.
  • 0.66 units per acre, per acre over the entire land proposed for Harlin
  • A mix of housing types that support community diversity and long-term livability
• Less Than What’s Currently Allowed
  Under existing zoning, 75 more homes could be built today in Williamson County. An 80-key hotel, similar to Southall, would also be permitted. Boyle is choosing a lower-impact path through collaboration with the City and stakeholders to bring the Village Green concept to life.
• A Legacy of Special Places
  Boyle’s reputation is built on creating places that feel timeless, connected, and community-first. Harlin is no exception. It’s a place designed to reflect the values of Franklin and the people who call it home, including us.

Village Green in Detail

• A Vision for Balanced Growth
  Village Green is a land-use concept introduced in the City of Franklin’s long-range planning document, Envision Franklin, to guide responsible development while preserving the natural beauty that defines our community.
• 70% Useful Open Space Requirement
  At the heart of Village Green is a powerful preservation goal: 70% of the land must be set aside as open space. This ensures that natural features—like hillsides, tree canopies, and waterways—are protected and celebrated.
• Preserve First, Build Thoughtfully
  The design process begins by identifying the most desirable natural features. These areas are preserved first, and development is then clustered around them to maintain the integrity of the landscape.
• Small Village Feel within City Limits
  Village Green encourages a mix of residential and small-scale commercial uses that create the feel of a walkable village community, surrounded by nature but still connected to the broader Franklin area.
• Mixed-Use with Character
  Village Green supports mixed-use buildings, such as small-scale multifamily homes above ground-floor shops or cafés—adding vibrancy while maintaining a human scale.
• Trails that Connect and Invite
  A network of multi-use trails is required throughout the preserved open space, linking homes, parks, and commercial areas. These trails also connect to Franklin’s broader system of sidewalks and greenways, encouraging public access and outdoor activity.

Housing for All: Addressing the Missing Middle

• Luxury Living, Thoughtfully Designed
  Harlin will be a luxury community, offering estate homes and high-end design that reflect the character and quality Franklin is known for while also embracing a broader vision of housing diversity.
• A Commitment to Housing Diversity
  Boyle is committed to contributing to the housing solution not just by building homes, but by helping fill the gap in the “missing middle” housing market.
• Policy-Driven, Market Supported
  After the State of Tennessee restricted inclusionary zoning, the City of Franklin responded with smart, market-based tools. These are now embedded in the 2023 Housing Strategy, giving developers like Boyle a path to deliver more attainable housing options.
• Workforce Housing Made Possible
  Harlin will include homes that qualify as Workforce Housing—a milestone that wasn’t feasible just two years ago, before the creation of Village Green and the updates to Envision Franklin.
• Yes, There will be Luxury, But Not Only
  Harlin will include high-end homes, but it won’t stop there. The plan is to create a balanced community where a range of price points and housing types can coexist.
• A Smarter Way Forward
  This isn’t about mandates—it’s about momentum. With the right policies now in place, Harlin will help Franklin meet its housing goals in a way that’s thoughtful, inclusive, and aligned with community values.