Later today, Bristol Development Group Principal Charles Carlisle, Dover Signature Properties President Rick Dover, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Members of Knoxville City Council, and Members of Knox County Commission will gather to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the much-anticipated Church + Henley Apartments.
In the Fall, we told you about the renovation of the former Supreme Court building to a 63-unit, flexible-term rental space, The Tribute. Church + Henley is a continuation of the partnership between Bristol Development Group and Dover Signature Properties and represents a combined $100 million investment into downtown Knoxville between the two projects.
After winning each category submitted for judging in the RFP process, the Bristol/Dover proposal was unanimously approved by the Knoxville City Council. They purchased the property from the city for $2.6 million. The project took two years to complete and is now ready for tenants. While the original plans evolved, as they do in most projects, the final result is one that the residents of Church+Henley will enjoy.
Church+Henley apartments are centrally located to easily reach the city center or the University and the highway for easy travel. There are 220 units broken into studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom apartments. The studio apartments are 463 sqft and run about $1,900/month. The 1BR units start at 600 sqft and $2100/month, with the 2BR units starting at 1000sf and $3000/month. Having just opened on June 1 for residents to move in, they have already filled 30% of their apartments.
Urban Guy and I took a tour with Lisa Gunderson of Bristol Development and Mike Cohen of Cohen Communications Group to see what they have to offer their residents. My first impression was the beautiful lobby with a 2-floor ceiling upon walk-in, a prominent lighting feature, and a stairway bordered by a straight line, multi-height design features that I call art itself. The architect behind the design was Jay Davis.
The lobby level has coworking spaces with a self-serve coffee shop, conference tables, booths, and rooms with the latest technology (The whole building has smart-home features.) and multiple places for local meetings, zoom calls, or catching up on work outside the home. On this level is also a state-of-the-art fitness center with all Technogym equipment throughout. From there, you can enter a group fitness room or head into the meditation room and sit in the Somadome meditation pod for peace and rejuvenation. It looks space-age, but I could see myself enjoying the color light therapy, energy medicine, and sound therapy there.
Each level of the building has what I’m calling a special feature room. One floor has a therapy room in which you can get a massage. Another floor has a “lending library” where residents can check out appliances to use in their homes and return when they are done. Think mixers, large pots, slow cookers, etc. Another level has a Maker Space appropriate for the Maker City. This is an area where you can assemble furniture with tools provided there, do art with your kiddos, or find your own way to be creative.
Church+Henley does not leave your furry pals out. There is a large green turf area for play and potty time and a pet spa where you can bathe and pamper your pet. If you are meeting up for a doggy playdate, there is an outdoor kitchen where you can grill while the pups play.
A 24-hour package receiving and sending area is available for all of the resident’s shipping needs, and it also includes a wrapping station for those birthday or wedding gifts. I can see a Christmas wrapping party gearing up.
As many residents will be alternate commuters, meaning they will be walking, biking, or using public transportation, Church+Henley has provided a Cycling Center that allows residents to maintain and service their bikes in-house. However, those with vehicles will have plenty of parking in the dedicated parking garage on the ground floor.
After the meditation room, my favorite was the Clubroom. Equipped with a kitchen area, pool table, 6 TVs, cozy couches, and access to the beautiful and private outdoor pool and kitchen area, you have all you need to enjoy your leisure time year-round. Whether you are watching the game (or 5!), grilling outdoors, swimming, or sunning, there is something in this section of Church+Henley to fit almost anyone.
Finally, we enjoyed viewing the seven public art pieces that face Church St. Pieces by Vicki Vaden, Mike Mandel, and Jillian Hirsch are there to continue to solidify Knoxville’s place as #4 in the country for art districts. Vaden and Hirsch are local artists, and you may recognize Mandell’s previous work in Knoxville from his unique mosaic tile style.
Go check them out and tell us your favorite piece!