Design Review Board approves exterior renovation of former TVA Bridal Union building; delays final decision on wooden doors and soffit

The Downtown Design Review Board on Aug. 20 approved most exterior renovation work for the former TVA Bridal Union building at the corner of K Street and Wall Avenue, while postponing final sign-off on proposed wooden doors and the soffit detail.

Staff presented the application for exterior rehabilitation, describing work to renovate existing storefronts on K Street and Wall Avenue; remove nine second‑story windows on the K Street elevation to create inset patios; replace windows on the third floor along Wall Avenue; and add seven new windows and an overhead garage at the Strong Street elevation. Samu Hawk, Knoxville/Knox County planning staff, told the board that existing design elements in good condition will be retained and that window frames will be painted and precast concrete panels will be stained to match the building.

Board members and the applicant discussed transparency at the pedestrian level, the proposed wooden doors that would serve an art gallery and a residential lobby, and the design and detailing of new windows and balcony soffits. Amy Sherrill, director for Benfield (the applicant), said the gallery entrances will be pinned open during business hours and that most storefronts will be clear glass. “We have no issue at all with the clear windows down on the storefront,” Sherrill said, describing how the wooden doors would serve a mix of gallery and residential lobby entrances and be pinned open during business hours.

Staff had recommended approval with two conditions: (1) all windows at the pedestrian level must be clear, and (2) replace the proposed wooden storefront doors with glass doors. The board voted to approve staff’s recommendation to require clear pedestrian‑level windows but struck the second staff recommendation. Instead, the board approved the overall application while postponing final approval of the wooden doors and the soffit detail to a future meeting so that the board can review the chosen door assembly and soffit material and detailing.

Board members said they were generally supportive of the project’s scale and of restoring active street frontage on Gay Street, but underscored the importance of seeing the finished door and soffit designs because Gay Street is a prominent pedestrian corridor in downtown Knoxville. Several members urged that the wooden doors be shown fully detailed — including how they appear when closed — and that the soffit/ceiling of the inset balconies be documented so the board can confirm material and finish choices.

The board’s motion approved the application per staff recommendation with the second staff condition removed and with the stipulation that the final wooden doors and soffit details be brought back to the board for review at a subsequent meeting. The board recorded the motion as carried by voice vote; members responded “Aye.” The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally.

The board and staff discussed timing and permitting: staff said the project can continue work on items approved today, but final sign-off and permit issuance will be withheld until the board has approved the door and soffit details as required by the motion. Applicant representatives said they will submit the door assembly and soffit materials for the board’s review at the next available meeting.

The decision keeps the bulk of the renovation moving forward while reserving board review for the wooden doors and soffit to ensure those elements meet the board’s design expectations for Gay Street.