Nashville-based publisher to move headquarters next year

The United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH) announced July 11 the purchase of the Lake Front Office Park in the MetroCenter business district in Nashville and is in the planning stages for a major renovation of the buildings. UMPH paid $9.25 million for the property, which includes the estate of the late Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams and investment company Corner Partnership. UMPH anticipates moving in 2015 to the new property, where its distribution center is already located.

The current headquarters building and adjacent properties occupying more than seven acres across from the Music City Convention Center has been divided into four parcels, two of which have been sold. The third and largest parcel, the site of the UMPH headquarters building and parking lots, is under contract for a sale that will be finalized at the time of the move to the new offices. The fourth parcel is being retained as a parking lot.

“The United Methodist Publishing House has been delighted to headquarter its ministry in Nashville for generations,” said Neil Alexander, UMPH’s president and publisher. “Our resources help people around the world know, love and serve God. We will continue and expand that work from our new home in the inner core of our vibrant and growing city. Plans are shaping up to breathe fresh life into what will be a creative center for Christian publishing and resource distribution for years to come.”

Alexander recently announced his plans to retire. The UMPH board is looking for a new publisher in what is expected to be a two-year process.

UMPH has approximately 400 employees at its Nashville headquarters. —Johnson