Monday, September 19 by Randy McClain

The Tennessean

Law firm to renew lease within Nashville City Center

A prominent law firm has committed to a long-term lease in a downtown office tower near the State Capitol, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and Hermitage Hotel, giving a boost to the northern tier of the city's business district.

Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP, has signed a letter of intent to renew its 159,000-square-foot, nine-floor lease within the Nashville City Center, the downtown business tower at 511 Union Street.

As part of the new 15-year lease, a multi-level parking garage will be added to the Class A office complex by Parmenter Realty Partners, the Florida real estate company that owns the property.

"The Nashville City Center is in the heart of our city's business district and our firm is proud to continue to call it home," said John Tishler, chairman of Waller Lansden. Waller Lansden's space was enhanced by the addition of a 17,000-square-foot conference center nine years ago.

"We are delighted that Waller Lansden...will maintain its headquarters at the Nashville City Center," said John Davidson, regional partner of Parmenter Realty Partners.

The law firm had studied other options before committing to the existing building.

"In addition to the development of a new parking garage, the City Center is also undergoing a $1 million renovation of its lobby and common areas," Davidson said.

"We decided to renew our lease in the City Center after thoroughly assessing our options, even considering a move to the planned West End Summit," said Tishler.

Owned and operated by Parmenter Realty Partners, the Nashville City Center is a 480,000-square-foot office tower that also has tenants such as Gresham Smith and Partners engineering and First Tennessee Bank.

John Keller of ProVenture Commercial Real Estate, Nashville and Clay Hammerstein of CB Richard Ellis, Los Angeles represented Waller Lansden in the lease. Parmenter was represented by Richard Fletcher of 511 Group here.