A major redevelopment on the north side of the Bentonville Square now has a name: The Hart on Main.
Runway, Blue Crane and Riverside have introduced The Hart on Main as the official name of the mixed-use residential, retail and office project first announced last year. Planned for two prime blocks along the north side of the Square, the development is designed to strengthen walkable downtown living while honoring Bentonville’s historic roots.
Integrated into The Hart will be the preservation and restoration of the historic Benton County Jail, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Developers say this is significant, so its history remains visible and connected to everyday downtown life.
The name itself draws inspiration from acclaimed painter Thomas Hart Benton and his great-granduncle Thomas Benton, a U.S. senator influential in Arkansas’ path to statehood and the namesake of Bentonville and Benton County. Project leaders say they worked closely with local historians to ensure the development reflects those legacies.
“The Hart reflects the spirit and history of Bentonville,” said Brian Shaw, development partner for Blue Crane. “In addition to its location on the town square, it acknowledges where this community began and honors the people and stories that continue to shape it. We imagined an identity that feels timeless and grounded, a reflection of both our community’s heritage and what’s next.”
The north side of the Square was last renovated in the 1980s, when most of the original buildings were demolished and rebuilt. This next chapter aims to reimagine the area for a growing downtown while returning to design elements inspired by the original 1880s facades and the brick commercial architecture that once defined the Square.
At street level, visitors can expect an experience that blends historic character with modern energy. Plans for The Hart include apartments and for-sale condominiums, along with ground-floor retail, food and beverage concepts and office space. An underground parking structure is also planned, preserving the pedestrian-friendly feel that defines downtown Bentonville.
The development’s public spaces are designed to connect seamlessly with nearby community assets, including Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the All-American Trail, the Razorback Greenway and the A Street Promenade. Those links extend into Bentonville’s broader Quilt of Parks network, reinforcing the city’s reputation as the Mountain Biking Capital of the World.
The Hart on Main is currently in the design and planning phase, with groundbreaking targeted for summer 2026 and a multiyear construction timeline ahead. In the coming months, the development team plans to share updates and gather community input to help shape the project’s future role in downtown Bentonville.
Feature image rendering from Blue Crane
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