Breathing New Life into Unique Urban Properties with Philip Welker
Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast
Episode 69
Listen Here
Preview the Episode
When Philip Welker co-founded BNA Associates, the company focused on the acquisition and rehabilitation of multifamily properties in the Southeast. So how did they break into the hospitality market? And how have they evolved their focus to align with changing consumer preferences? Philip and Martha explore these topics and more, discussing the influence of the hospitality industry on other sectors and the importance of maintaining a clear project vision while staying in tune with community needs and aspirations. The episode describes some of BNA’s most notable projects including The Americana Hotel in Knoxville and Hotel Clermont in Atlanta, reflecting on the importance of honoring a site’s history while bringing new life – and new visitors – to a space. Tune in to discover how BNA Associates works to achieve this goal while generating social and economic benefits for the project and the community at large.
Discussed in the Episode:
BNA Associates
Hotel Clermont
The Oliver Hotel
Riverview Square
Station House Inn
Hotel Americana
About Philip Welker:
Philip Welker, Managing Partner at BNA Associates, started his real estate career in 2000 working for a firm developing a $500 million public-private redevelopment plan for downtown Knoxville, TN. Philip also ran a development partnership focused on buying and redeveloping historic buildings, where he spearheaded all facets of the process including acquisition, financing, construction, and property management.
Philip holds a Bachelors in Finance from the University of Tennessee and a Masters in Real Estate Development from New York University. He spent three years as a Development Associate in New York City working on various commercial development projects, including the $750 million Flushing Town Center. In 2009, he co-founded BNA Associates LLC in Nashville, TN to acquire and rehabilitate real estate owned multifamily properties around the Southeast. In 2010, BNA segued into boutique hotels with the development of The Oliver Hotel in Knoxville, TN which laid the groundwork for Oliver Hospitality LLC. Philip has gone on developing more boutique hotels including Fairlane Hotel in Nashville, TN, Hotel Clermont in Atlanta, GA, and the Station House Inn in South Lake Tahoe, CA.
BNA is currently underway with four projects, including an $80 million mixed-use project called Riverview Square in Clarksville, TN that entails a DoubleTree hotel, 55,000 square feet of bars and restaurants, and a public-private parking garage, as well as the redevelopment of the historic Andrew Johnson Building as the Hotel Americana in Knoxville, TN.
About Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast:
Dot Dot Dot is the continuing conversation around art in the built environment. Episodes explore art, culture, placemaking, and more with a range of reputable art and business leaders. Tune in biweekly to learn how an original art experience can boost your business and make a positive social impact. Episodes are available wherever you get your podcasts!