Inside Oracle’s Nashville HQ: Luxury Nobu and 2 Million Sq. Ft. Can’t Lure Talent

Oracle’s Nashville ‘World HQ’ Struggles to Attract Tech Talent Despite Nobu and 2 Million Sq. Ft. Office

Oracle is betting big on Nashville. The tech giant has declared the Tennessee city its “world headquarters,” complete with a sprawling 2-million-square-foot office and an in-house Nobu restaurant—one of cofounder Larry Ellison’s favorite perks. Yet, despite promises of AI innovation, high-paying jobs, and luxury amenities, tech workers aren’t rushing to relocate.

Larry Ellison’s Bold Move to Nashville

A few years after moving Oracle’s headquarters from Redwood City, California, to Austin, Texas, Ellison named Nashville the company’s “world headquarters.” In 2024, he called the city “the center of our future” and committed $1.2 billion over a decade to expand operations, promising 8,500 new jobs.

Tennessee state leaders backed the move with a $65 million economic grant, along with $175 million earmarked for infrastructure improvements along the Cumberland River. The plan included a pedestrian bridge and park space to enhance downtown Nashville. Oracle can recoup part of its investment through reimbursements of up to 50% of future property taxes.

A Campus Designed for Innovation (and Luxury)

The new office is intended to position Nashville as a hub of AI development. Senior vice president Don Watson described the space as a center for innovation, complete with amenities like Ellison’s signature Nobu restaurants, which already feature in his properties in California, Florida, and Hawaii.

Oracle has even offered financial incentives, including tens of thousands of dollars, to encourage current cloud employees from other cities to move to Nashville.

Recruitment Challenges

Despite the lavish office plans and incentives, Oracle has only around 800 employees in Nashville so far. By comparison, Cerner’s Kansas City base—which Oracle acquired in 2021—houses more than 5,000 workers, and Oracle still has thousands in Austin and Redwood City. In 2025, Nashville’s net employee growth was just seven, according to the Nashville Business Journal.

One major obstacle: pay. Nashville falls into a lower geographic pay band than California, meaning salaries may be capped compared to what employees could earn elsewhere. While the mayor’s office estimates an average annual salary of $110,000 for Oracle’s new Nashville jobs, many tech professionals fear they would be leaving higher-paying positions in California or Texas.

Infrastructure and Economic Hype

Nashville officials have welcomed Oracle’s plans. Former mayor John Cooper called the project a “huge win,” citing high-paying jobs and infrastructure investments. The Nashville East Bank Development Authority, which oversees development along the river, emphasized that the city remains committed to supporting Oracle’s campus.

“We remain eager to do whatever we can to facilitate the construction of the new campus,” said a spokesperson. “Nashville will only continue to grow as a center for advanced technology and related industries.”

Reality Check: Headquarters Mostly on Paper

Many employees remain hesitant because the Nashville HQ exists largely on paper. Oracle still lists Austin as its official world headquarters on SEC filings and on its website. Workers are cautious about committing to a location that hasn’t fully materialized in day-to-day operations.

This disconnect between promise and reality may explain why Oracle is struggling to attract the workforce it needs to make Nashville a true tech hub.