IN THE NEWS
We’re Getting Noticed
The media is taking note of our efforts to preserve historic Memphis architecture, drive innovation in Memphis and the mid-South, and showcase our area’s unique cultural offerings. Read the latest news and buzz about Townsend Development and its related brands:
News About Townsend Development
Owner of Luciann, Lowenstein, Masonic Temple adds Annesdale to his properties
Bill Townsend turned 63 a couple of weeks ago as he mulled whether he should buy Annesdale Mansion and how to make the seven-acre investment sustainable. He had a few neighbors and friends over for cocktails Friday, May 5, at the 1850’s-era Italianate mansion, celebrating his latest purchase in the lavish hallways…
May 09, 2023
Annesdale property sold; plans include new townhomes
Bill Townsend, the Memphian who owns four other historic Memphis properties, has bought Annesdale Mansion and plans to develop it in a way that connects the property to the rest of the Snowden-Annesdale neighborhood….
May 03, 2023
Memphis entrepreneur Bill Townsend launches College Rover, a college-search website
A Memphis-area investor has launched a website with the hopes of simplifying the college search process…
May 02, 2022
Another bright sign appears for Summer Avenue’s future
Wednesday was a red letter day — literally and figuratively — for the revival of a rundown theater building on a tired but promising block of Summer…
September 16, 2021
Luciann’s future may allude to, not X out, building’s colorful past
The Luciann has swapped bare chests for antique ones. Stored furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries is starting to fill the long, masonry…
November 22, 2020
Preservationist strikes again, buys historic Lowenstein Mansion
Like a hungry kid in a candy shop running from the fudge to the candy apples to the ice cream, William “Bill” Townsend darted room to room…
October 06, 2021
New owner describes plans for Masonic Temple building
The new owner of Downtown’s historic Masonic Temple building plans to lease the structure’s richly detailed spaces for film and TV productions…
April 13, 2021
Developer to open antiques store in his second Victorian Village building
William “Bill” Townsend moves towards the back of the antebellum home at 707 Adams Ave…
May 12, 2022
Luciann theater’s new owner starts plans for adaptive reuse
The Luciann – the vacant movie theater building with historic architecture but a seedy recent past – would be restored for adaptive reuses and placed…
May 27, 2020
Townsend buys sixth property on Summer Avenue’s west end
William “Bill” Townsend has struck again, this time buying and planning to renovate a strip shopping center where Summer Avenue meets Midtown…
December 03, 2021
Luciann theater owner gets zoning variance on second try
The restoration – some might say redemption – can press forward for the old Luciann theater, which spent its most recent years housing X-rated…
August 26, 2020
Fourth purchase part of Memphis developer’s penchant for historic buildings
“I’m going to work in collaboration with other businesses, homeowners, and builders in the area and the City of Memphis to figure out what holisticall…
May 18, 2022
Luciann Theatre owner has big dreams, loose plans
William Townsend believes the theater could become a gathering space and job creator, potentially through a lease to Trader Joe’s…
May 28, 2020
Food industry veteran buys local marinades company, sets sights on growth
A former ConAgra Foods brand manager just bought a local marinades firm, with hopes for major growth…
May 28, 2020
Former Paris theater on Summer Ave. has a new owner
Could the former Paris Adult Entertainment Center be repurposed? The Summer Avenue building has a new owner…
Feb 4, 2020
Why is this man trying to save the Luciann? And, what else does he have planned?
Beyond the 15,000-square-foot building, William Townsend has much wider dreams for Memphis…
May 29, 2020