Downtown Development Updates, Part 3: Covenant Health Park (the stadium) and Axle

Covenant Health Park, Knoxville, January 2025
Axle Logistics, 854 North Central Street, Knoxville, January 2025

As discussed recently in the comment section here, it is a marker of the current pace of development that three installments are required to make room for all the photos. We’ll start with the Axle project, which continues to rapidly assume its final exterior appearance. Mostly closed in by insulation last fall, it now features large portions of finished materials on the outside.

Axle Logistics, 854 North Central Street, Knoxville, January 2025
Axle Logistics, 854 North Central Street, Knoxville, January 2025
Axle Logistics, 854 North Central Street, Knoxville, January 2025
Axle Logistics, 854 North Central Street, Knoxville, January 2025

The building has a completion date of this year and when finished will include 85,000 square feet of mostly office space. The company’s rapid work force growth (up to 600 almost a year ago) will fill the building almost from the outset. Parking continues to be a neighborhood concern and I’m watching for signs of work on the large space just down the street, but nothing seems to be moving there, so far.

The new headquarters project is being managed by Lawler Woods, was designed by Design Innovation Architects, with on site work by Merit Construction.

Covenant Health Park, Knoxville, January 2025

It’s almost spring (let me dream). The shift to milder temperatures is palpable. It must be time for baseball. Almost. The stadium, promised to be functional by the April 15 first pitch, seems very much on schedule. The most exciting sight for me on my recent walk was grass on the field and clear baselines. It’s happening.

Beauford Delaney Building, Covenant Health Park, Knoxville, January 2025
Beauford Delaney Building, Covenant Health Park, Knoxville, January 2025
Beauford Delaney Building, Covenant Health Park, Knoxville, January 2025
Covenant Health Park, Knoxville, January 2025

The bulk of the work, of course, has also shifted to the Delaney Building just to the west of the stadium. A Denark construction project, it’s part of the larger stadium development that will help connect the Old City to the stadium, while offering “47 luxury residential condominiums.” One side will have a view of the stadium while the other offers “breathtaking views of the plaza.” I try to be a glass half-full guy, but that side will also offer breathtaking, close-up views of James White Parkway. In any case, everyone will have access to a private viewing deck, so you could say season tickets are included.

The building will also include a lounge space and fitness room for residents, as well as office and “multiple retail and restaurant spaces” which will be open to everyone. The project, visible from most of downtown, will top off at nine stories. Architects for the project include both Design Innovation Architects (DIA) and BarberMcMurry Architects (BMA). I can’t find a listing for all the condos (can anybody spot those and link it?), but I did find a third floor unite listed on Zillow at $562,950 for 1 BR, 1BA, 834 sq ft. In November WBIR reported spotting ten units, “with the highest price point reaching around $2.29 million for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom listing with just over 2,000 square feet.”

Covenant Health Park, Knoxville, January 2025
Covenant Health Park, Knoxville, January 2025
Covenant Health Park, Knoxville, January 2025
Covenant Health Park, Knoxville, January 2025

As for the stadium, it looks almost sports-ready. The biggest remaining task apparent on my visit was the installation of the scoreboard. Expect a ribbon cutting on the multi-year project in coming weeks.

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