High-tech firms move into historic building in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Byline: Mike Pare

Jun. 18--A historic Chattanooga manufacturing building that dates back a century has become a home for high-tech businesses and the arts.

"It's not been easy," said developer John Clark about the Southern Saddlery Building on South Broad Street. "Renovating a building of this age is difficult and further complicated by the change of use."

The red-brick landmark near the former Wheland Foundry has undergone a $2.5 million makeover, said Mr. Clark, who owns the structure with Bridget Huckabay, Dan Robinson, Angela Usrey, Scott Kelley, Bill Glascock and George Caudle.

For many years, workmen there made leather bridles and harnesses as Chattanooga was a center for the manufacture of saddlery. But, the structure's reuse is drawing more modern business models.

Ken Smith, president of software development firm Episode49, said his company shifted from Hamilton County's small business incubator to 1,400 square feet at Southern Saddlery about two months ago.

"We were looking for new space that had the characteristics of an old warehouse. That's exactly what we got. I personally like the old wood floor and exposed wood beams," he said.

Mr. Smith said the building that houses his eight full-time workers is wired for his high-tech company, including a satellite antenna on the roof.

Tricycle Inc., a business that uses digital photocopies to replicate carpet samples, is moving its 16 employees into Southern Saddlery, said company President Jonathan Bragdon.

He said the company ought to be fully relocated in about two weeks from The Bread Factory, another former manufacturing building off Broad Street adapted to office space.

"It's got a lot of character," said Mr. Bragdon about the Southern Saddlery Building where he's leasing 3,800 square feet and may soon add another 1,200 square feet.

Mr. Clark said two digital printing firms also have moved in.

Ms. Usrey said the building will hold the Arts & Education Council, which is shifting offices from North Chattanooga to about 1,500 square feet of space. An art gallery, Tanner Hill Gallery, and numerous artist studios will fill space in the structure, she said.

Redevelopers tried to keep the industrial quality of the old building and that has appealed to the artists, said Ms. Usrey.

The building is in the city's Renewal Community Zone. The federal program run through the Enterprise Center offers a dozen federal tax incentives for businesses that build, invest or hire workers who live in a designated area, and that helped make the project work, Mr. Clark said.

Enterprise Center chief Joe Ferguson said the incentives helped business people restore the historic building and create jobs.

"That's good stuff," he said.

The building, 50,000 square feet in size, is one of several South Broad Street structures to undergo a revamp in the last few years as the area stages a comeback.

"The proximity to the freeway and downtown makes it a good place to do business," Mr. Clark said.

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