Q&A With Edward Ewing

What prompted the sale of the property, or was this always the plan?

“I started accumulating the properties that today represent the Riverside property nearly 10 years ago with my son Tony.  My vision then and now, is to set the standard for development on the Cumberland River.  The Cumberland River is the reason for the great city of Nashville, Tennessee.

At that time under no circumstances did I think it would take approximately 10 years to complete the planning and entitlements for these parcels.  A decade later can cause many business decisions to change.  If I were younger, under no circumstances would I consider selling this property.  I am now planning for my family’s future and my team of trust advisors have recommended that I consider a sale as an option due to the length of time needed to complete this project”.

Are you looking for a master developer or are you offering the individual or grouped parcels?

“A master developer is our preferred purchaser of the Riverside project.  The land represents the largest, mixed-use entitled parcel on the Cumberland River in the city of Nashville free of any environmental liability or encroachments. The buyer, the city of Nashville, and the community should benefit from this investment similar to many other areas of Nashville that have prospered over the past decades”.

How are the common areas, green spaces, and roads going to be developed?

“It would be our preference that the future owner uses much of the Riverside planning as these designs were led by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), one of the leading architects globally who have designed many similar, world-class projects.  Acknowledging, I am sure the potential buyer of this project will want to add some revisions to this design.”

Is the river-taxi element still part of the project?

“Our vision for the Cumberland River’s future spans from the redevelopment of the Titans Stadium to Oracle’s development to Tennessee State University.  Marinas, hotels, restaurants, and river taxis are a major part of Nashville becoming one of the world’s greatest river cities.  I believe this is so appropriate for the city of Nashville because its birth was realized for the transportation of goods along these banks”. 

How does the sale of the land impact the capital funded infrastructure projects such as the proposed bridge to Metro Center?

“Our vision for the city of Nashville which we have discussed at length with city planners and leaders, and I believe they share and embrace, is a downtown corridor from Bridgestone Arena connecting north to Briley Parkway.  This corridor should cross the Cumberland River with a signature bridge that represents the city of Nashville around the world.  The Riverside project as a standalone is not dependent on this bridge.  This corridor, when developed, would relieve congestion in urban nashville and cause the banks of the Cumberland River and North Nashville to prosper.  I have the highest respect for the city of Nashville, the Mayor, Planning Department, and area Council towards causing this vision to be realized”.

Are there any portions of the development already slated for construction?

“In late 2023 and early 2024, our team was working with SOM on Phase 1 construction of this project when Buyers approached us with an unsolicited offer for the entire project.  The development quietly went under contract.  We terminated the contract last November after a ten-month period.  Since then, we have been constantly evaluating many options for this project”.