Historic Tennessee Theatre announces public capital campaign for 612 Building expansion project

From its historic opening as a movie palace to becoming the region’s leading performing arts venue, the Tennessee Theatre celebrates its 96th anniversary by looking to the future and announcing its capital campaign for the 612 Building expansion. The project will allow the Theatre to enhance its mission serving as the arts and entertainment cornerstone in East Tennessee and expand cultural enrichment and enjoyment for all.

Through the unique footprint of the structure of the building, located at 612 S. Gay St. in downtown Knoxville, a connection will be made between the east end and the Tennessee Theatre’s auditorium foyers on both the main and balcony levels. This will allow access from the foyers into the expanded space with amenities such as increased concessions and restrooms. Other spaces inside the 612 Building will provide room for enhanced education, outreach and partnership opportunities, allowing the Theatre to better serve the community. The street-level space also will serve as a separate reception or gathering place for pre- and post-show events.

“To all those who love the Tennessee Theatre, who’ve ever made a special memory here, who want to help us share the Tennessee Theatre with more people of all ages from across the region, and who want to help secure a strong future for this beloved Theatre, I ask for your support in the 612-expansion campaign,” Tennessee Theatre Executive Director Becky Hancock said.

“Every dollar gets us closer to our goal, and we know with your help, we will reach it. Just as the 2005 renovation did to restore this historic venue, this project will transform the future of the Tennessee Theatre and set the stage for an exciting second century. We cannot wait to show you how this exciting opportunity will breathe new life into another beautiful historic building in downtown Knoxville, while enhancing and enriching a treasured Knoxville landmark.”

Learn more about this project and donate at tennesseetheatre.com/612.

The renovation of the 612 Building, formerly known as Mechanics’ Bank and Trust, began in April 2024. Led by construction manager Jenkins & Stiles and project manager Partners Development, along with architect McCarty Holsaple McCarty, the project is slated for completion by fall 2025.

“The Tennessee Theatre is a driver of arts and culture in the region and has helped establish Knoxville as an arts and cultural destination,” Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “The 612 Building expansion helps continue the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation’s mission to ensure that diverse arts and cultural enrichment remains in downtown Knoxville and impacts the community through education and enrichment in addition to entertainment.”

Not only will the community benefit from the expansion, but the 612 Building also will support the region’s tourism with more opportunities for events and programming.

“The Tennessee Theatre has been instrumental for the area’s tourism as the region’s leading performing arts venue with state-of-the-art equipment and exceptional professional services that draws top entertainment to Knoxville, and the impressive beauty of the historic space makes an unforgettable impact on visitors from all over the southeast,” Visit Knoxville President Kim Bumpas said. “The 612 Building will strengthen the wonderful experience our guests have when they visit the Tennessee Theatre.”

Knox Heritage, a nonprofit committed to the preservation of historically significant structures and places, applauded the Theatre for its efforts to fully restore the 612 Building and ensure its longevity well into the future.

“On behalf of Knox Heritage, thank you to the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation for its vision and dedication to the 612 Building,” Knox Heritage Executive Director Christine Cloninger said. “The Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation has proven it knows how to restore, preserve and utilize historic buildings to their full potential as the Tennessee Theatre is a historic building itself. The foundation will ensure the 612 Building is well maintained as it is enjoyed, usable to the community and impacts the city of Knoxville in a spectacular way.”

The Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation is a nonprofit tasked with preserving the historic Theatre and ensuring diverse arts and cultural entertainment remains in downtown Knoxville. To fully renovate the historic building and integrate it into the Grand Entertainment Palace, the Theatre set a total fundraising goal of $19 million. Over the past five years, the Theatre’s board of directors and staff have worked tirelessly toward this goal and now have nearly $17 million secured.

“The 612 Building is the perfect fit for a Tennessee Theatre expansion and will fulfill operational, programmatic and partnership goals that weren’t able to be fully realized in the Theatre’s comprehensive renovation project completed almost 20 years ago,” Hancock said. “I ask for your tax-deductible gift to the 612-expansion campaign, allowing the community to make another century’s worth of treasured memories within the Theatre.”