After months of protests and political maneuvering, Nashville's RCA Studio A has been saved from certain death.
On Friday, Bravo Development sold the space on Music Row to the Americana Music Triangle project for $5.6 million (New York Times). This means that one of the city's most historic buildings will be spared the wrecking ball come winter.
"From the beginning I invited offers from those who have alternate plans for the building," Brave Development's Tim Reynolds said. "We have worked diligently to find an appropriate buyer, and received multiple offers in the final hours before the deadline including some from developers who did not intend to save the building. In light of public concern, we ultimately decided to select the buyer that plans to preserve the building, and hopefully open it to the public."
Several musicians and public figures had spoken out about the summer sale to Bravo and subsequent hikes in rent. But money was needed, and that's where Aubrey Preston, leader of the AMT Trust, was able to help.
"I felt like I had to get it under contract or else we weren't going to be able to save it," Preston said. "The most important thing about this was that we just needed to get it in a safe harbor, and then we can decide what to do with it."
According to a press release, AMT Trust hopes to find "a preservation-minded owner" for the property (via Taste of Country).
Ben Folds is one of the current tenants who was recently given an eviction notice for the end of November. He used Facebook to share his thoughts on the new deal:
"I'm encouraged about the news of the impending sale of the historic RCA building to my friend who is a proven preservation leader I greatly respect. I look forward to discussing with him what the future holds for the studio space once the deal closes."
Last month, country singer Jamey Johnson offered his two cents.
"It's a matter of prayer and faith," Johnson told the Nashville Scene. "And it's also a matter of getting the community organized. Nashville's music fan club — and I'm talking about all music, not just country music, but all music — Nashville's music fan club needs to come together and organize and get a clear plan. Once we have a clear plan of action, it's gonna be easy to walk through the steps and save this building.
"We know fundamentally we're correct, and that we should preserve this building. And if it's up to us in this building to do that, then it's our role and it's our mission. I don't intend on just pulling up and walking away. I intend on sticking it out all the way until November the 30th, until the last possible second. There's always an opportunity. I don't put anything above God."
