Friday, 08/03/07 By Jim Stinson
Nashville Business Journal
First Tennessee eyes consolidation of admin offices

First Tennessee is considering a consolidation of its administrative offices - now spread among three downtown and West End locations - within the next three years.

The bank, which has offices at 511 Union St., 2525 West End Ave., and 3401 West End Ave., is growing and looking at new, Class A office space, officials say.

"It's a standard process of expansion to gain efficiencies," says John Keller, the ProVenture leasing broker for First Tennessee.

Despite the bank's naming rights at 511 Union St., also known as City Center, most of its employees are at 2525 West End Ave. and 3401 West End Ave., says Keller. The bank uses 102,000 square feet in the three offices combined.

"There is a benefit of having all our employees together," says Mike Edwards, president of the Tennessee banking group of First Tennessee.

Edwards says nothing is decided, however, and the firm could remain in the three buildings. There is a cost to moving into new Class A space, he says.

The chatter has caused ripples of excitement in the development market.

"We've had conversations with (First Tennessee). We'd love to have them. They're first-class people," says Alex Palmer, developer of the proposed West End Summit, a two-tower project with 25 office floors.