Bridgestone moves from -- and to -- Nashville

Nov. 12, 2014

Bridgestone Americas Inc., a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corp., announced plans to relocate its headquarters to downtown Nashville in a newly constructed facility slated for completion in mid-to-late 2017.

The company says it has outgrown its current leased headquarters facility on Marriott Drive near Nashville International Airport. (With its lease expiring in late 2017, the company launched an extensive search for a new headquarters location to support future growth.)

The new headquarters will house more than 1,700 employees; 1,100 are currently based in Nashville.

Gary Garfield, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas, was joined at a press conference by Bill Haslam, Tennessee governor; Bill Hagerty, Tennessee economic and community development commissioner; Karl Dean, Nashville mayor; Ralph Schulz, Nashville Chamber of Commerce CEO and president; and Ed Fritsch, Highwoods Properties CEO and president.

"Uniting teammates from our core business units in one location is fundamental to continuing to build a bright, sustainable future for our company," said Garfield. "Under one roof, we will increase collaboration, innovation and growth across our lines of business.

"Current and future teammates will benefit by being part of an exciting and motivating workplace culture intensely focused on meeting the needs of those who buy our products and services."

The new headquarters will be home to Bridgestone Americas’ corporate staff and supporting functions, as well as Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC; Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC; Firestone Building Products Company LLC; and Firestone Industrial Products Co. LLC.  Nashville was selected after a nationwide search by a Bridgestone team that included leaders from multiple business units and functional areas.

"This is one of our state’s best known brands and a company that would be more than welcome anywhere in the world," said Haslam. "It says a lot for our state that Bridgestone Americas is building a new headquarters and creating more than 600 new jobs here."

Garfield said several major cities made competitive offers to entice Bridgestone to move its headquarters.

"At the end of the day, Nashville prevailed. The city offers a great quality of life and low business costs, with a reasonable cost of living for our teammates. Downtown Nashville is vibrant and growing. And the support and leadership shown by the State of Tennessee, Nashville Metro government and the Tennessee Valley Authority really made our decision clear."

Subject to approvals from the Nashville Metropolitan Council, Industrial Development Board and the state, the planned 514,000-square-foot, 30-story headquarters building, located at 4th Avenue S. and Demonbreun Street, will break ground in early 2015 with planned occupancy in the third quarter of 2017.

Bridgestone Americas selected Highwoods Properties to develop the company’s new headquarters. Global architecture firm Perkins + Will has been retained by Highwoods and Bridgestone to design the new facility and tenant improvements, which are expected to be LEED-certified at the Gold level and reflect best practices in workplace space design.

Upon completion, the facility will be one of the largest and tallest corporate headquarters buildings in Nashville. Financial terms are not being disclosed by Bridgestone.