The Downtown Home Tour is a tradition that dates back about thirty years and I’ve often mentioned it as a hook that caught Urban Woman and myself. After seeing the incredible range of sizes, styles, and locations of homes available in the center city, we began to picture ourselves in first this one, then that one. One thing led to another and we moved downtown in 2009. We’re now on our second downtown home and can’t imagine living outside a center city.
Originally presented by City People, which has since disbanded, the tours were interrupted by the pandemic, but have re-immerged under the guidance of the East Tennessee Historical Society, organized by Gay Lyons, and sponsored by Knoxville Downtown Realty. The tour features eleven homes in seven different buildings. The buildings range from over one hundred years old to fewer than ten years old and span the range in styles from traditional to modern.
One of the featured homes is in Gallery Lofts, located above Mast General Store. The building, constructed in 1897 and redeveloped in 2006, includes Mast General Store in the basement and on the first floor, DIA Architects and Herston Law offices on the second floor, and seven residences on the third floor and six on the top floor of the four-story building.
You might have noticed a metal walkway on the side of the building and wondered where that led. It leads to the elevator access for the top three floors. The residences vary widely, ranging from just over 1100 square feet to well over 3500 square feet. On the third floor, three units face the back of the building and have balconies, while four face Gay Street. The fourth floor features the larges two units to the rear and include balconies, while four face Gay Street. Several of the top floor units also include a small interior rooftop space and rooftop decks. I featured one of the large upstairs homes (suite 402) on the 2012 Home Tour and the same home again in 2015.
The unit on this year’s tour, Suite 401, includes just over 2,000 square feet, along with two bedrooms, and two baths. It faces Gay Street and features a spiral stair case in the center, leading from the hallway to a small mezzanine and then a rooftop enclosure with an outdoor rooftop deck. The mezzanine is large enough for a couple of chairs and a television. The upper floor features a partial kitchen and a small table and chairs.
The arts play a big part in the home, with original oil-works, mostly by local and regional artists, featured throughout. The second bedroom has been converted to a cozy living space with books, vinyl albums, and more. The walls feature a number of concert posters from shows enjoyed by the couple. Artistry extends even to the tables in the main living area and in the upstairs room, each brightly painted.
The unit is owned by Bill and Tanya Ramsey who also maintain a residence in Jefferson City. The couple lives in their Jefferson City home during the week and the condo on weekends. They originally purchased a home in Lerner Lofts in 2005 (across Gay Street from their current home). By 2007, they wanted a different atmosphere and a bigger space than what they felt there at the time, and when their current home came available in 2007 they sold Lerner Lofts and purchased their current home.
Originally from east Tennessee, the couple felt an attraction to downtown Knoxville before most people were aware a turnaround had commenced. “We loved coming down here to the restaurants. I could see the potential.” They ate at Tomato Head, Harold’s Delicatessen, La Costa, Nama (on the 100 block), and the Soup Kitchen. “We were thinking ahead toward retirement.” He along with others, would like a larger grocery store for downtown.
The couple has seen a lot of change over the years. Notably, Bill said, “The restaurants and the food scene. It’s getting busier, more populated. It’s totally changed. The music scene.” They enjoy live music, particularly enjoying the Bijou, Mill and Mine, and Pilot Light. Bill anticipates retiring next year and eventually selling the Jefferson City home in favor of living in downtown Knoxville.
He said for those considering a move downtown, while it’s great, there are matters to think about. Parking, for example, is different from suburbia, with most buildings not providing parking. Gallery Lofts residents are fortunate to have a parking garage (Promenade) attached the rear of the building. Parking is $40 per month, per car. He also said sharing space with homeless people is also a downtown adjustment, as well as the increased noise from Gay Street. He said, for them, none of the negatives or concerns about downtown living have ever given them second thoughts. He said he’s encourage people to explore the option, though he noted only one or two are currently on the market.
In addition to smaller improvements, the residents have re-imagined the kitchen into a much more functional and beautiful space. The original design for all the units in the building included a curved island in the kitchen, along with a large non-vented hood. The couple removed the vent to open up the space, replaced the island with a rectangular island, and moved the oven to the periphery, opening up the space. They’ve also added lighting to the unit.
Enjoy a tour of this and other homes this Saturday, June 10, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. VIP tickets are sold out, but general admission tickets are available for $25 if you buy them by Thursday. After Thursday, they will be available for purchase on the day of the event at the East Tennessee History Center (601 S. Gay Street). See the website for all the details or to purchase tickets.
Come to downtown and enjoy, but be careful. Like Urban Woman and myself, you may never leave.