Never formally named, the loading docks at 123 W. Jackson have now been named the Jackson Terminal. Originally a freight depot for the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad, constructed in the later half of the 1880s, this building at 123 W. Jackson has housed Heuristic Workshops since the 1990s, undergoing a significant renovation in 1998. The company, which manufactures cabinetry and such for large commercial and institutional concerns continues to operate in the back half of the building.
For a number of years, the front half of the building – representing about 20,000 square feet of indoor space fronting Jackson Avenue was utilized for storage for the business. This use dates back to an era in downtown history when any use of a downtown building was a good one – if the building was simply not being allowed to fall in on itself. As the downtown resurgence has taken hold, this property has become much more valuable and what was a fine use a few years ago, may no longer be its best use.
Owners Carl Keaney and Eric Ohlgren, realizing the shifting economy of the center city considered various options for the building and have proceeded with a project that will include mixed use retail. Approximately half of the available space has been leased by Neal and Susan Green of All Occasion Catering, giving them a lovely downtown event space of their own. Plans for their half of the building (the western half) include room for about 350 guests and a lovely 1700 square foot patio area on the end of the building giving them an outdoor option, as well.
The most conspicuous portion of the project, as seen from Jackson Avenue, is the demolition of the loading docks along the southern side. Re-fashioned as a boardwalk, this feature will return in safer form and will include space for outdoor dining or simply resting or strolling between businesses along the sheltered space. As seen on the renderings, this side of the building will be very attractive and inviting. It sits below street-level for about half its length due to the Jackson Avenue viaduct. The former dock was eight feet wide, the new boardwalk will measure fifteen feet deep.
Inside, work progresses with an eye toward turning the currently leased space over to All Occasion Catering in August. The remainder of the building includes about 11,000 square feet which could, of course be leased to one client, but the current best thinking is that it will be leased to several smaller businesses and the owners will accommodate as little as 1200 square feet. Importantly, a grease interceptor is being installed as part of the current construction, so any restaurants would have that amenity included. Assuming several businesses take the space, a corridor running behind them is planned, allowing for unloading of stock through a rear entrance into each commercial space.
I’ve watched the building for several years and had imagined a project similar to Fisherman’s Wharf or Pier 39 in San Francisco, with restaurants and shops and streams of people flowing up and down the boardwalk. With the recent resurgence in development in the Old City and nearby areas, this seems like a good possibility for the space. The owners had at one time envisioned a brewery and that would certainly work.
Mary Katherine Wormsley, principal broker with Hatcher-Hill Brokerage, LLC gave me the tour of the project and offered the renderings you see included here. If you have some interest in leasing a portion of the remaining space, contact Mary Katherine at marykatherine@hatcherhill.com or (865) 332-7822.
In an unrelated note: This is Rhythm n Blooms week and Inside of Knoxville and the Rhythm n Blooms Festival have two weekend passes to give to a reader. Please do not participate in this giveaway unless you would plan to attend the entire three-day weekend. To enter you must send me a private email at knoxvilleurbanguy@gmail.com. You must include “Ticket Giveaway” in the subject line and your name and contact information in the body of the email. The cutoff is 6:00 PM Wednesday night. Any emails after this time will not be considered. I will randomly select the winner and notify that individual or couple in order to arrange for transference of tickets. Happy R & B week!