East Tennessee is home to immense natural beauty such as the Great Smoky Mountains, and it also boasts impressive and historic architecture. If you’ve ever driven through downtown Knoxville, for example, you’ve probably enjoyed a view of the Scruffy City’s iconic Sunsphere, a 26-story-tall spherical structure covered in windows framed in 24-karat gold. 

Naturally, the Sunsphere inspires local pride and headlines the Knoxville skyline – but do you also know these other important commercial buildings in Knoxville? 

Here’s a small sampling of other important commercial buildings showing our area’s historical architecture… 

Immaculate Conception Church

Photo credit: Visit Knoxville

Founded in 1855, the Immaculate Conception Church is Knoxville’s oldest Roman Catholic parish, located just off Gay Street in the Old City. Originally constructed in 1886 and designed in a Victorian Gothic style, this hallmark church stands two stories tall today, featuring a brick exterior and a central clock tower that has been renovated, along with several other elements of the building, by the GAEA team over the past 30+ years.

Other renovations completed by GAEA for the church include: a roof renovation, the removal of three layers of interior ceiling (which is original to the 1886 construction), restoration of the ceiling paintings, and new lighting. In partnership with the City of Knoxville, Ewart and the team also refurbished the church steeple and added lighting elements to the exterior, electrifying and synchronizing the bell and clock for greater visibility in the area.

Knollwood Mansion

Photo Credit: George Armour Ewart Architect

Knoxville’s Knollwood Mansion, a historic three-story antebellum building, was originally constructed in the late 1840s as a home for United States Army Major Robert Bannon Reynolds. Situated on what’s known as Bearden Hill, the property is believed to have been used during the Civil War by Confederate troops before the siege of Knoxville. 

In 1996, the GAEA team had the privilege of working on a renovation and remodeling of the 6,500-square-foot mansion into offices for its current owner. Now on the National Registry of Historic Places, the building remains a stately example of East Tennessee architectural history. 

Andrew Johnson Building

Photo Credit: Alan Sims, InsideofKnoxville.com

Constructed in the 1920s, Knoxville’s first skyscraper, the 18-story Andrew Johnson Building (originally the Andrew Johnson Hotel) still stands proudly near the north end of the Gay Street Bridge. For nearly half a century, the hotel reigned as the tallest building in East Tennessee. 

Design details like a brick and terracotta exterior and a terraced patio stood out among downtown architecture, while glamorous details like crystal chandeliers and gold draperies reportedly dazzled visitors indoors. 

The building’s uses since the late 1970s have been varied and relatively utilitarian. However, in its prime, the hotel reportedly hosted many notable guests, including Amelia Earhart, Hank Williams Sr., Duke Ellington, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and King Hussein of Jordan. 

In 2022, a developer shared plans to convert the building into a multi-use space, the bulk of which would be a luxury hotel once again. Time will tell how this historic building may be restored and renovated for East Tennessee to enjoy!

The Mabry-Hazen House

Photo Credit: VisitKnoxville.com

A family home turned museum, the Mabry-Hazen House (built in 1858) showcases an elegant Italianate-style design overlooking downtown Knoxville and the Tennessee River. Over the years, the house and its grounds witnessed significant events, including occupation by both Confederate and Union forces during the Civil War. 

Today, the Mabry-Hazen House stands as a museum, displaying period furnishings, artifacts, and extensive gardens, and offering visitors a vivid portrayal of Knoxville’s past and the lives of its influential residents.

Contributing to East Tennessee’s Architectural Legacy

With this handful, we’ve barely scratched the surface of the iconic and interesting commercial buildings in East Tennessee. Many more, old and new, add to the natural beauty in our community, and GAEA is proud that our designs play a part. 

If you’re interested in joining a team that’s passionate about architecture and design in this vibrant community, 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.