The Tennessean

Knoxville, Tennessee

State Office Building Becomes Boutique Hotel

Repositioning office properties is a current trend in the marketplace. Such is the case for an existing 1960s office building in downtown Knoxville which has been re-imagined to a new boutique hotel. Adjacent to the convention center, the property is well positioned for high profile visibility and accessibility.  

The 70-key hotel includes a private bar, conferencing accommodations and a fitness center. The mixed use development also features twelve luxury condominiums positioned on the top two floors. The ownership group christened the hotel The Tennessean not only to reflect the locale but to imply a sense of uniqueness and character. 

The thematic vision for the hotel was inspired by the owner’s residence which is positioned on the Tennessee River. Thus “the river” became the springboard for imagery that would populate the design in its many forms. A storybook was developed of antique river maps, aerial views of the rivers and abstract imagery of water in its many incarnations.  

Guests are greeted in a registration lobby featuring classic black and white tile floors with rosewood accents.  The feature bookcase, that can be seen by guests and passers-by alike, is an art installation of 1,500 books. Each individually wrapped book cover when assembled together, create a massive river in vivid color.

The guestrooms present an oversized headboard that is framed and wrapped with large scale antique river maps. The custom carpet depicts an abstract graphic of a ripple of water. The furnishings package is comprised of case-goods finished in mahogany and silver leaf. The color palette continues the theme with dark blues and creams. 

For the guest corridors, the team developed a custom carpet that references an abstract river and its movement. Again, large scale artwork is featured in each room and includes satellite views of rivers with vivid color. 

The private bar continues the theme but also reflects a more intimate country club-style environment with darker luxurious finishes and large scale lounge furnishings. 

For information about the Experiential Graphic Design our team provided for this project, please click the link above.