When Hybar Steel’s CEO, David “Dave” Stickler, decided to plant a flag in Memphis, he bought a condominium in The Artesian on the banks of the Mississippi River. Next, he reached out to local designer Tara Engelberg of Tara Felice Designs to transform the space into a dreamy downtown residence.
A steel mill magnate with experience living all over the world, most recently in Mississippi County, Arkansas; Stickler was drawn to the urban energy in Memphis. There is so much right in his new space from the sweeping views to the sleek finishings, dramatic lighting and sustainable materials, all signatures of Tara’s work which is “clean, minimal and modern.” Her aesthetic aligned perfectly with Stickler’s mission as stated on Hybar’s website, “protect tomorrow by doing things the right way.”
With Engelberg, he wanted to not only update but re-imagine the two-bedroom unit. In order to maximize the river views, she recruited Contractor Eddie Kircher to “blow out the walls to the studs.” With a more open footprint, she began to layer in the design. She hand-selected the European furnishings and artwork from regional galleries to reflect her client’s vision and “pops of color for visual interest.” The textures and forms all play beautifully off the strong lines of the architecture.
The vibe is a nod to the recent technology boom in Memphis. In June 2024, the Greater Memphis Chamber announced that Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, selected Memphis for its new facility. Codenamed “Colossus” the facility is expected to be the world’s largest of its kind securing Memphis as a tech hub for the foreseeable future.
In a brief conversation with Stickler, he revealed the energy and excitement behind this dynamic space.
Why invest in Memphis real estate? Why now?
There are many exciting things going on across Memphis. Downtown Memphis has a lot going on. The riverfront investments that have been made and
are being made are world class. Whether entertainment (hotels and restaurants), recreational (parks and bike trails) or the arts (museums and theaters), everywhere
you look along the river good things are happening. This includes riverfront housing. With new homes being built, condos being built and renovated and historic buildings being converted into modern well-furnished apartments, the housing vibe is strong.
Does Memphis have potential to be a true tech hub?
I have lived and worked in many cities across the county and throughout the world during my career. This has allowed me to identify three key drivers that attract investment. The first is supportive government in terms of getting the bureaucracy out of the way. Companies looking to invest and grow new industries need to know that local government leadership is on their side. Second, new industries require strong partnerships with local educational organizations, beginning at the high school level and continuing with trade schools, community colleges and universities. And third, to attract and keep the necessary work force, areas of the city that combine vibrant entertainment, recreational opportunities and modern housing are needed. Memphis has each of these drivers. So, yes, I believe Memphis has a real opportunity to continue its success in becoming a true tech hub. It won’t be easy. There is a lot of competition. But I am willing to bet on Memphis.
In addition to renovating a stunning home downtown, how do you envision making a positive contribution to Memphis?
Over the past ten years, my group has been involved with $8 billion dollars of greenfield high-tech industrial investment in the region. My first investment in the area was the development of Big River Steel, now owned by U.S. Steel. Big River Steel is a large supporter of Memphis with significant sponsorships of local sports teams, the medical community and partnerships with educational organizations. These investments have created 3,000 high-paying jobs, with many employees having homes in Memphis, as I do.
Any highlights of working with visionary designer, Tara Engelberg?
Working with Tara made it easy for me. I shared my vision with her, and she took it from there. I asked her to be the Project Manager on my condo renovation from A to Z. Tara and her team did a great job, and I look forward to her helping me with other real estate projects over the next year or two.