by Kent Jennings Brockwell
Staff Writer
Due to the Radisson’s plans to demolish and redevelop the Southbank’s Wharfside Way office buildings, TTV Architects is moving its office to the Northbank.
Tri Vu, president of TTV Architects, Inc., said the firm recently purchased the I. Beverly Nalle building at 115 E. Forsyth St. and will move its offices as soon as renovations are completed.
Vu said he has known about the Radisson’s redevelopment plans for his current leased office space for awhile. That’s why he decided to purchase the building and move to the Northbank.
Though the Nalle building has been vacant for several weeks, TTV Architects officially became the owners of the building last week. Vu said the renovation project was started the day after the real estate deal was closed.
“As an architecture firm, we are doing the designing ourselves,” said Vu. “We know the process so we were able to save a lot of money by starting construction the day after we closed (on the building).”
Vu said the renovations are being done by C. Zornes Builders, Inc. and should cost about $130,000 by the time the project is complete in January.
“He has been a great contractor to work with,” Vu said. “The president has worked with us many times in the past so it was a logical choice to use him.”
Renovations will include a total gutting and build out of the first floor, where TTV Architects’ offices will go. A new mural will be painted on the side of the building.
The second floor will be available for lease. Because the building is in the entertainment district, Vu said he would like to have a business related to art upstairs.
“We would love to carry the tradition of having art in the area,” he said.
Besides the hassle of having to move his office, Vu said he is very excited about finding a new office downtown.
“I have always liked being downtown,” he said. “I have been downtown for last 24 years. We have established a name in downtown and wouldn’t have have it any other way.
“I look at the Northbank as a true business section. I am excited to be in the Northbank and right in the heart of the business section.”