REAL ESTATE

Pat Robertson's conservative law center coming to Brentwood

Multimedia center part of plans for Quest Sports Center, which changed hands for $7.54 million.

Getahn Ward
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

A conservative legal advocacy group co-founded by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson plans to turn the Quest Sports Center building in Cool Springs into offices and a multimedia center.

The American Center for Law and Justice revealed those expansion plans Friday, two weeks after an affiliate bought the two-story, 31,949-square-foot building at 1595 Mallory Lane for $7.54 million.

"We're delighted to have this new facility that will enable us to expand our multimedia outreach," said Gene Kapp, spokesman for the Washington, D.C.-based ACLJ.

The social activism group, which Robertson founded along with its chief counsel, Jay Sekulow, works to defend constitutional and religious freedoms before the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress.

As part of its multimedia outreach, the ACLJ produces a daily radio show, weekly television programs, films and digital content.

Kapp said no firm date has been set for when the group's offices and multimedia center would open at the Quest Sports Center building. He wasn't sure how many employees would work there.

Pat Robertson

Two weeks ago, ACLJ affiliate Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism Inc. bought Quest Sports Center from businessman David Merrell, his wife, performance coach Holly Merrell, and a business partner. The sale came roughly three months after the property on the Brentwood side of Cool Springs was put up for sale as an office conversion opportunity.

"Our intent was to find additional tenants for the building," David Merrell said. "But a buyer came along that found that the space worked great for them, so it was worth us relocating our businesses.''

The Merrells developed and opened the Quest Sports Center in summer 2013 to house their businesses, including Quest Performance Training and financial planning firm TBH Global Asset Management. Later, Benchmark Physical Therapy was added as a tenant.

Quest Performance Training occupied the lower floor of the Brentwood building, offering adult fitness and performance training for athletes. That space included a 6,000-square-foot turf training area, a 4,000-square-foot weight room and an 8,000-square-foot basketball/volleyball court.

Merrell and his wife are evaluating whether to continue operations of Quest Performance Training elsewhere. He plans to relocate TBH Global Asset Management to space at the Creekside Crossing office complex in Brentwood. Benchmark Physical Therapy plans to relocate elsewhere.

Broker Rick Helton of OakPoint Real Estate represented the Merrells' Quest Sports Center LLC in selling the property.

Reach Getahn Ward at 615-726-5968 and on Twitter @getahn.