(Today’s article is written by contributing writer K.W. Leonard.)
When the Tennessee Theatre opened in 1928, few likely envisioned the scope of the Theatre’s mission and purpose nearly 100 years later. As this vision expanded in recent years, space for patrons, programs and staff has become increasingly limited. The 612 Building Expansion plans to address these needs, enhancing the Theatre for its second century of serving Knoxville.
The 612 project entered its public phase of fundraising and construction on October 8, 2024 with a hard hat tour for media. I joined Urban Guy on the tour through most of the new space. The expansion will be transformative to the mission and capacities of what was billed as “the South’s most beautiful theatre” at its opening in the early 20th century. For an overview of the history of the Tennessee Theatre, see Urban Guy’s 2017 article Knoxville has a Theater District? A Brief History of Knoxville’s Theaters: Part Two of Four.
Becky Hancock, Executive Director of the Tennessee Theatre led us on the tour. The Theatre began exploring the possible expansion in 2017. A due diligence phase followed in 2018, and the theatre purchased 612 Gay Street in 2019. The design phase began and then quickly halted with the Covid pandemic, with plans resubmitted in 2022 and the construction permit issued in June, 2023. Construction on the space began in April, 2024, and the building is now six months into renovations.
Plans currently call for a 15 month construction phase with a targeted opening date of Fall, 2025. Total cost for the renovation of floors one to five will be $19.7 million with $17 million raised already during the silent phase of the funding campaign. Today kicks off the public phase of fundraising the final amount.
Hancock noted that the “purpose of this project [is] being able to preserve and restore another beautiful historic building in downtown Knoxville to enhance the activity that is happening at the Tennessee Theatre. That will happen on all floors of this building in various functions and iterations.”
The building will be accessible from stairwells, new access hallways from various levels of the Tennessee, and limited access will be available from the front. Each floor includes approximately 3,600 square feet. The alley outside of the 612 Building will also be lit and provide a new pathway from the block behind the Tennessee Theatre to Gay Street.
First Floor and Mezzanine/Second Floor (Donor and VIP)
As you enter the first floor, you are immediately greeted by the 1920s decor and architecture. The space was used by Christopher Kendrick for the Old City Club in the 1980s and also served as a temporary space for the Orangery when the restaurant burned. The mezzanine is immediately visible approximately halfway through the space on a second floor.
The first floor will serve as a separate gathering space from the grand lobby of the Tennessee which at times has over 1,500 theatergoers passing through to shows. As a result, receptions and other functions are limited before, during and after performances at the Theatre. Pre- and post- show receptions as well as performances for a more intimate crowd will be available on the first floor with an integrated bar serving guests. Basic lighting and sound systems will be added to the space for these performances and receptions. New bathroom facilities will be available in the rear of the first floor, and access to those facilities will be through the original vault.
The Mezzanine space is designated as the second floor by the city and will be renumbered as such. The mezzanine/second floor level at the same elevation as the orchestra level of the Tennessee Theatre and will be directly connected. The primary function of the mezzanine overlook will be a small lounge for Tennessee Theatre’s donors. Associated groups such as the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra or Knoxville Opera will be able to offer their donors the same amenity. A private bar and bathrooms will be featured in the rear of the second floor. Accommodating approximately 45 guests, the space will allow the groups to build their donor bases by offering a premium perk.
Evergreene Architectural Arts, the firm who painstakingly restored the Tennessee Theatre, has been contracted to restore this floor. The 1920’s decor will be restored after removal of an estimated 20 layers of paint from the walls and repairs to the 100 year old ornamental plaster. Red marks in the space were already indicating the work to be done.
Third Floor (Public Amenities)
The third floor of the 612 building will connect directly to the balcony level of the Tennessee Theatre through a new hallway and will be accessible to all patrons. The floor will have a standing capacity of 100 to 150. The western side of this floor will be a new lounge with large windows overlooking Gay Street. A full service bar with concessions will be available for the first time on this level of the Theatre, and a major expansion of restroom facilities will be incorporated. Women’s bathrooms will feature ten new toilets and the adjacent men’s restroom will feature six. All of this will significantly change the experience of balcony seat holders.
Plans for the decor in this area will be separate from, but complementary to, the Tennessee Theatre. The identity of the floor will be marked by a more modern look with a teal color palette. The space will be open during shows and, like the lower floors, may be available for private event rental with Theatre functions taking precedence.
The new stairwell space in the rear of the building was also visible on this floor. A fortunate fluke of architecture allowed space for the new stairwell to be built to meet post-9/11 codes for any building over five stories. The fire escape no longer meets code and is being removed.
Fourth Floor (Open Floor Concept)
From a personal standpoint, the fourth floor excites me the most. Having performed with an orchestra in the Tennessee Main Stage in the 1990s, one of the primary limitations of the entire Theatre is practice space. Available from the elevator and stairwells, the fourth floor will be above the Tennessee Theatre’s levels. The fourth floor will feature stage flooring in the rear the same width as the Tennessee Theatre’s main stage, as well as lighting and sound capabilities.
Rehearsals, including blocking for stage plays, will be available outside of the main Theatre for the first time. Smaller symphonies that can be accommodated in the orchestra pit will also have this space as a possible rehearsal spot. Maintaining revenue on the main stage is critical and space is currently at a premium as a result. For example, when most Broadway shows are setting up, rehearsals can not take place on stage. Rehearsals are cramped into small spaces as a result. Hancock noted that this new functionality will be used as marketing to new and larger Broadway productions, building on recent years successes of the Broadway at the Tennessee series.
Additionally, this fourth floor can be used as a “black box-ish” space for smaller performances and education outreach for adults and high school students in the area. Hancock told us that one of the purposes will be to reach tomorrow’s audiences through expanded summer camps and an enhancement of the Marquee Awards program. Adult lectures and continuing education opportunities for teachers could also be a function of the space. Current programs will be enhanced through the space first, and then new programs will be considered.
Fifth Floor (Administrative Offices)
Fifth floor facilities will give “elbow room” to the staff of the Tennessee. Around 25 employees, ranging from administration, sales, event staff, facilities, tech and more are “wedged into pockets around the Theatre.” 15-18 new workspaces including offices and an open cubicle area will fill the new fifth floor.
Restrooms, a kitchen, coffee nook and a small board room will allow staff to more efficiently expand the Theatre’s functions and day to day operations into the future. Decor on this floor will primarily be general office space.
The upgrades to modern day codes were most visible on this floor with new wiring, sprinkler facilities, connectivity that were all in place in the construction.
Sixth Floor
Recently purchased, the sixth floor presents a change in the scope of the 612 Building plans. As this new space was just recently added, the plans for its usage are not available yet. The cost of renovating this floor is not included in the $19.7 million capital campaign and will require future fundraising. The new access points (stairwells) were already included in the plans and will serve this floor as well.
The Public Phase
Hancock noted that the public phase of fundraising is now open to help meet the final $2.7 million dollars. Donations of any size will go towards this new expansion of the arts in downtown Knoxville. For more information on the project or to donate, click here.