SVN Property Management Team Supports Property Owner Through Renovation
In downtown Chattanooga, a bold renovation at The Edney Innovation Center created a fresh, engaging space inside one of the city’s most important entrepreneurial hubs.
A major renovation can pose challenges for building owners and current tenants, making it essential to have a fully engaged and proactive property manager involved every step of the way.
Lesa Seals, Commercial Property Manager for Second Story, oversees property management for The Edney. She worked with owners, Hendricks Commercial Properties, and the construction company, T.U. Parks, to ensure communication with current and prospective tenants, kept up with all the details of the renovation.
“Coordinating access, communicating updates, and maintaining transparency helped minimize disruption to tenants and kept the project running smoothly,” said RoseAnn Haedt, Director of Public Relations for Hendricks Commercial Properties. “Having a hands-on property manager involved every step of the way ensured deadlines were met and tenant needs were prioritized—even amid construction.”
The project included a full lobby update with new tile, modern furnishings, and refreshed finishes, which now welcomes tenants and visitors with a sleek, contemporary look. The renovation extended to the building’s 4th floor, which had been historically underutilized, with only one active tenant. To attract new occupants, the floor underwent a strategic upgrade, including a fully renovated kitchen, new carpet in the hallways, and updated conference room furnishings with modern tables and shared workspace appeal.
One of the project’s most exciting additions was the creation of a rooftop lounge—an amenity designed to elevate the tenant experience with access to fresh air and panoramic mountain views. It now serves as a casual, scenic space for breaks, informal meetings, and community-building among professionals.
To complete the project, T.U. Parks repainted the exterior entrance, giving the building a polished, cohesive look that matches the energy and innovation happening inside.
Such a big transformation can be a major disruption for current tenants, increase tenant turnover, and lead to general dissatisfaction. However, a proactive property management team can avoid pitfalls, keep current tenants informed, and even gain new tenants excited about the planned improvements.
One new tenant, a boutique law firm, has already signed a new lease on the fourth floor.
“SVN Second Story, through active property management, played a key role in supporting tenants by providing timely updates, coordinating scheduling with subcontractors to avoid peak office hours, and ensuring any disruptions were communicated clearly and professionally,” Heart added. “This approach helped Hendricks Commercial Properties maintain positive tenant relationships and demonstrated a strong commitment to their comfort and business continuity during the renovation. We truly appreciated Lesa’s quick responses and proactive support during renovations. She felt like a seamless part of our team every step of the way.”
The Edney Innovation Center is located at 1100 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. Learn more about leasing flexible spaces from 800 to 8,000+ square feet.
About Lesa Seals
Lesa has worked as a property manager for SVN | Second Story for nearly three years. She brings more than 20 years of experience in property management, including onsite, warehousing, and storage management. Lesa exemplifies Second Story’s commitment to client satisfaction and helping our property owners retain happy tenants.
