Patrick Emery

Patrick G. Emery, Nashville Real Estate Visionary, Dies

Patrick G. Emery, a pioneering real estate developer and Nashville community leader who over four decades helped the city transform into a dynamic global destination for corporations, residents and visitors alike, passed away on Wednesday, October 5 after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 72.

Pat Emery was humble and compassionate, putting others before himself. The bright twinkle in his eye reflected his kind demeanor and caring personality.  He was intently focused on getting to know and understand each person he met and loved to watch and support the successes of others.  Pat’s gentle nature was well complimented by his incisive strategic mind and innate wisdom that enabled him to forge bold directions by seeing the big picture and taking the long view.  This trademark approach was the impetus for his creation of numerous community developments and creative real estate projects that will help define middle Tennessee for generations to come.

A native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, he became deeply engaged in Nashville’s ascent after relocating to the city over 40 years ago. He first began his career by focusing on creating world-class office spaces for corporations.  In the mid-1980s, Pat developed West End Park in Midtown with the prominent two tower One American Center. Pat subsequently immersed himself in the early development of Cool Springs which he cultivated into the region’s leading corporate headquarters hub. Over several decades, Pat developed, constructed, leased and managed an array of Class A suburban office communities which were a catalyst for the attraction of numerous major Fortune 500 companies to middle Tennessee. Later in his career, as the CEO of Hall Emery, Pat returned his attention to Nashville’s urban core and spearheaded the development of downtown’s Fifth + Broadway, complex and highly acclaimed as a dynamic, mixed-use experience for Nashville’s residents and visitors that is home to a corporate office tower, Food Hall, metropolitan retail and the celebrated National Museum of African. American Music.  For Pat, development of every project centered on the people who would experience them.  His objective was to enhance life experiences through innovative spaces be they designed for commercial, residential or community.

Equally devoted to Nashville’s civic progress, Pat was perennially involved in nonprofit and community groups.  He was a longstanding member of the Urban Land Institute and graduated from Leadership Nashville and Leadership Franklin.  In addition, he served as a member of the boards of directors of Avenue Bank, USGBC of Middle Tennessee, Studio Bank, and the Transportation Management Association. He was honored by the T.J Martel Foundation with the “Spirit of Nashville” award; and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce “Spirit of the Region”.

Born in Seoul, Korea, Pat was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma.  He was predeceased by his wife, “Kitty” Moon Emery, a prominent Nashville leader and by his parents, Muriel & James Emery of Tulsa, OK.   He is survived by his fiancé, Michele G. Crace and her sons, Joseph Crace (Deirdre) and daughter, Genevieve of Nashville and son Michael Crace of Boston; his daughter Sarah Kingsley Plaisance of Oklahoma City and her children, Cayden and Rylan; son, Grant Emery of Denver; sister, Kathleen F. Emery of Tulsa;  brother, Stephen Emery and his children, Taylor and Stephen and by his "Sisters", Lady Bird and Kelly Magill of Nashville.

Honorary Pallbearers are Aaron Dorn, Charles and Molly Anderson, Eric Buchanan, Bo Campbell, Andrea Conte , Chaz Corzine, Marty and Betty Dickens, Burgin Dossett, Randall England, Elde and Delisa Guerrier, Fred Hall, Greg Janese , Ken Kubalk, Dave Lindsay, Dave Latour, John Lowry, Lisa Lucas, Doug Renneger, Steve Massey , Dene Oliver, Tom and Lynn Raney, Rich Riebeling, Ron Samuels,  Danny Shoemaker, Jessica Sowell, Christopher Butch Spyridon, Sarah Trahner, David Wells and Sue Fort White.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday October 26, 2022 at Christ the King Church, 3001 Belmont Boulevard with Reverend Dexter Brewer officiating.  The Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers please contribute to the Pat and Kitty Emery fund at the Community Foundation of Nashville. The family would like special thanks to Dr.  Howard  Burris lll, Dr. David R Spigel, Dr. Hyatt Sutton  and all who helped at Tennessee Oncology, Sarah Cannon and Centennial Hospital.