There’s no place like home! Nestled in the heart of South Knoxville’s vibrant South Haven Neighborhood, Historic Giffin Square is set to break ground later this fall. 

This exciting new development will bring 77 units and 147 beds to help alleviate the area’s growing needs for affordable housing. Our team at George Armour Ewart Architect partnered with developer Case Enterprises to implement this transformative vision as a way to enhance community resiliency and breathe new life into a cherished historic site.

A Brief History of the Building

As South Knoxville development spurred in the early 20th century with the introduction of a rail-car line, planning for the school building began in 1925 when the City of Knoxville acquired the land from C.A. and Eliza George Norman for $6,000. By December 1926, the Office of City Engineering had surveyed the land (then called the Norman School Property), and in the fall of 1928, the school officially opened as Giffin Grammar School. 

Following the school’s closing in 1995, Remote Area Medical operated in the facility until 2014, and, in 2015, Knox Heritage acquired the property and placed it on its “Fragile Fifteen” list in hopes of revitalization.

The Vision: Transforming Giffin School into Affordable Housing

Today, the centerpiece of Historic Giffin Square is the rehabilitation of the 30,000 square-foot former Giffin School. This project goes beyond merely providing housing opportunities; it seeks to revitalize the abandoned property into a vibrant and sustainable community asset, just as it once was. 

Alongside the historic school, two new 23,500 square-foot residential buildings will also be constructed, complemented by several thoughtfully designed outdoor and community spaces.

The Process: Drawing New Inspiration from the Building’s History

The design of the new buildings draws significant inspiration from the school’s modernist addition in the 1950s. The core goals were to distinguish the new structures from the existing historic building while incorporating elements that complement its character, scale, progression of architectural styles, and functional relationships. This approach ensures that the new development not only respects but enhances the historic value of the site.

In collaboration with Knox Heritage, the project is currently undergoing Part II approval to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open dialogues with the South Haven Neighborhood Association have also helped to ensure this development benefits the local community. From these discussions, additional project elements were identified as considerations, including strengthening the forested area surrounding the site, minimizing light pollution, and alleviating on-street parking concerns

Project Team

Civil: Will Robinson & Associates

Structural: Haines Structural Group

Mechanical: Bedinger Consulting Engineers

Electrical: Vreeland Engineers

Landscape: Beasley Landscape Architects

The Impact: Community Collaboration & Sustainable Development

Long term, the development of Historic Giffin Square aims to create a sense of place and belonging, making it a cornerstone of the South Haven community once again. The project stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful design and community collaboration; It promises to become a model for sustainable development and historic preservation, offering residents a place they can call home while preserving the rich history of the area.

In other words, Historic Giffin Square is not just about buildings and numbers; it’s about legacy and community. By reimagining the Giffin School and creating new affordable housing, George Armour Ewart Architect and Case Enterprises are paving the way for a brighter, more resilient future for South Knoxville. 

There’s much to look forward to, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact this development will have on the greater Knoxville area. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to breaking ground and bringing this vision to life!

Want to Work with an Architectural Firm in Knoxville?

From the transformative vision of Historic Giffin Square to the thoughtful design of community spaces, our GAEA team is proud to contribute to the revitalization of South Knoxville. If you want to work with a friendly, innovative team in the Knoxville area, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome interest from architects, designers, and project managers at any level. Reach out to us on our site or email us at info@georgeewart.com to see if our firm might be a fit for you.