The design development team—Design Innovation, Insite Properties, and Denark Smith—completed the restoration of the Phoenix Building in admirable fashion The project fully conforms to the U.S. Secretary of Interior preservation standards, and the developer was able to use the tax credit incentives to complete the project. The multi-use building is a model for private historic preservation downtown, and an outstanding example of the commercial architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries (in this case, a blend of Renaissance Revival and the Commercial Style architecture). |
The Phoenix Building at 418 S. Gay Street rises six stories above downtown Knoxville .
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As a contributing structure to the Gay Street National Register Historic District, the quality of any restoration work was extremely important (previous facade projects across the street had missed the mark of appropriate architectural restoration).
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The 52,000-square-foot edifice includes 10 handsomely designed apartments with features such as exposed brick walls.
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The building includes nearly 30,000 square feet of Class A office space, including this conference room.
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Retail and restaurant space (the Downtown Grind and Prestige Cleaners) provide a pedestrian-friendly orientation at the sidewalk level.
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Attention to detail in design is apparent: The care in restoring its cast iron columns and the highlights that were employed in painting its windows and cornices are exemplary.
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The commercial and residential upgrade is noteworthy. High efficiency mechanical systems, low-e thermo pane windows, and added insulation were completed without compromising the building’s historical features.
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The Phoenix is a unique development as downtown's only restoration resulting in Class A office space.
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The mixed-use nature ensures more pedestrian and business activity in the 400 block—a shot in Gay Street ’s arm that is needed along the entire street
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