Looking Back, Designing Ahead: ESa’s First 10 Years in The Gulch

Looking Back, Designing Ahead: ESa’s First 10 Years in The Gulch

Eric Klotz, AIA, NCARB

Ten years ago, ESa made a pivotal move by relocating its office to the then-emerging Gulch neighborhood. The change was more than a new address. It was a strategic investment in a growing part of Nashville and a reflection of the firm’s design-forward mindset.

Since then, The Gulch has transformed into one of the city’s most dynamic urban districts. ESa has played a defining role in shaping its identity, from workplace design and urban development to green space and placemaking.

To mark a decade in The Gulch, Principal Eric Klotz reflects on what drew ESa to the neighborhood, how the office reflects the firm’s values and what’s next for the district they helped define.

Setting the tone for a neighborhood
The Gulch was largely known for its residential and retail development. The firm’s office brought business presence, creative energy and a long-term commitment to the area’s future. Walkability and mixed-use development were central to ESa’s early projects in The Gulch. Certified as LEED®ND, The Gulch was the first neighborhood in the southern United States to receive this certification and 13th in the world. The decision to prioritize pedestrian-friendly streets, public art, green infrastructure and density made a huge difference. The 333 11th Avenue South building, a speculative office building designed by ESa in 2020, respects The Gulch’s industrial scale with modern brick, glass and steel, linking the area’s warehouse roots to its present-day vibrancy.

One of the most transformative contributions has been Noble Park. Designed by Firma Studio in collaboration with ESa, Nashville’s first community pocket park introduced a 10,000 square foot human-scale green space into a dense urban area, offering a place to gather, pause and connect. The park is a signal of how thoughtful design can serve the broader public.

“Those early planning moves created a foundation for the kind of organic growth we’ve seen since,” said Eric. “And obviously, the Wings mural has been a major attraction for visitors.”

Designing with purpose
When ESa’s founder, Earl Swensson, first looked at The Gulch, he recognized potential where others dismissed empty space. When ESa selected The Gulch as their new home, the neighborhood was just beginning to gain momentum.

“It wasn’t just about leasing space,” Eric said. “It was about investing in a growing part of the city and making a statement about who we are and what we value.”

ESa’s commitment to LEED® certification and sustainability in the neighborhood extends to Gulch Crossing, an eight-story building with Class A office space and LEED Gold® certification. The ESa office at Gulch Crossing was designed as a working example of the firm’s values of drive, loyalty, attitude and humility: open space, natural light, sustainable features and collaborative areas that inspire connection. The LEED Platinum® office space boasts a welcoming lobby with expansive views of the city that reflects drive and vision, reminding the ESa team daily of the skyline they’ve helped shape. An open stair encourages activity and spontaneous collaboration across floors. An adjacent “Plaza,” the firm’s family room, along with a large kitchen and dining area, creates a central hub for the firm’s 200+ employees to use throughout the day.

From the moment clients and partners step inside, the space conveys who ESa is: professional but welcoming, focused yet flexible, a team built on both rigor and collaboration. The space embodies the creative energy of The Gulch, and a decade later, it still proves a simple truth: good design elevates everyday life and inspires people to do their best work.

Looking ahead: Intentional growth and enduring character
The next chapter for The Gulch isn’t about getting bigger. It’s about getting better.

For ESa, that means continuing to design spaces that bring people together, support movement and enrich Nashville’s urban fabric. The Gulch now serves as a model for design-led growth, showing how streetscapes, layered experiences and public amenities can create lasting character.

“The Gulch can continue to set a standard for how other parts of Nashville grow with quality, character and purpose,” Eric said.

Ten years in, ESa remains as invested as ever — honored to have shaped The Gulch’s past and driven to help define its future.