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612 S. Gay Street

The Tennessee Theatre: Building on Established Success

The Tennessee Theatre has proudly served Knoxville and the greater East Tennessee community for nearly a century. Attendance and engagement metrics continue to increase year after year, and we expect that trend to continue.

However, the Theatre has unwittingly been a victim of its own success: sold-out crowds mean longer lines at restrooms and concessions; local user groups such as the Symphony, Opera, and Jazz Orchestra desire additional spaces to serve their loyal audiences; touring Broadway shows need rehearsal space that we don't have; and most importantly for continued impact and relevance, our expanded education and community partnership initiatives need more space to fully engage and better serve even more arts enthusiasts. The organization has reached capacity in every sense of the word.

A few years ago, property within the building at 612 S. Gay Street was put up for sale. After necessary due diligence and architectural studies, it became apparent that this property could significantly meet all the needs listed above, and best of all, it could be physically connected to the Tennessee Theatre building. The Theatre raised funds to purchase the property and began the task of designing the spaces to accomplish these ambitious goals. Although the pandemic intervened and we paused the project for several years, construction finally started in April 2024 and we will open to the public starting with our Marquee Awards on May 17, 2026!

612 BY FLOOR

THE CAMEO

The Cameo serves as the public entrance to the 612 Building from Gay Street and functions as a flexible gathering and event space. Historic architectural details have been carefully preserved throughout the space, including the building's original bank vault, which now serves as a distinctive gateway to the restrooms.

Designed to host receptions, performances, community gatherings, and future rental opportunities, The Cameo provides an intimate setting that complements the grandeur of the Tennessee Theatre while maintaining its own unique identity. See our FAQs to learn more about booking The Cameo.

THE EVERLY LOUNGE

Named in honor of Knoxville's own Everly Brothers, who performed live broadcasts from the building when radio station WROL occupied its upper floors, the Everly Lounge is an exclusive donor hospitality space connected directly to the Theatre's orchestra-level foyer.

The lounge features private restrooms, a dedicated bar, comfortable seating areas, and a mezzanine overlooking The Cameo below. The space was designed to enhance the theatre-going experience while recognizing the generosity of the donors who help sustain the Tennessee Theatre's mission.

Access to the Everly Lounge

Access to the Everly Lounge is available to qualifying Tennessee Theatre annual donors during Tennessee Theatre-presented events.

Annual donors of $10,000 or more receive access for themselves and their ticketed guests for one year from the time of donation*.
Annual donors of $5,000 or more receive access for up to four guests at a time for one year from the time of donation*.
Everly Lounge access is only for tickets purchased under the Donor account, but can be transferred for use by another patron.

Lounge availability and hospitality offerings, including bar service, may vary by event based on attendance, presenter requirements, and operational considerations. Eligible donors will receive event-specific information when Everly Lounge access is available.

Interested in learning more about donor benefits? Click here to learn more about all the ways to give to support the Tennessee Theatre's mission.

*Donations made specifically to the 612 Expansion Project before December 31, 2026 will grant access until August 31, 2027.

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THE OSBORNE LOUNGE

Named for the Osborne Brothers, whose iconic recording of "Rocky Top" helped define Tennessee's musical heritage, the Osborne Lounge is open to all Tennessee Theatre patrons.

Connected directly to the Theatre's balcony level, this space provides additional gathering areas, public restrooms, and expanded concessions service. Guests are welcome to explore the lounge before performances and during intermission.

The Osborne Lounge significantly improves the theatre-going experience by increasing restroom capacity and providing additional amenities that help better accommodate audiences during busy performances. Select concessions services and bar offerings may vary by event based on attendance and operational needs.

THE ANNEX

The Annex is the heart of the Tennessee Theatre's education, outreach, and artistic development efforts.

Designed as a flexible rehearsal and instructional space, The Annex will host workshops, masterclasses, lectures, rehearsals, youth programs, community partnerships, and educational initiatives throughout the year. The room's size and configuration make it ideal for dance rehearsals, theatrical staging, music instruction, and collaborative creative work.

The Annex reflects the Theatre's commitment to cultivating lifelong connections to the arts while creating opportunities for learning, creativity, and community engagement. Click here to learn more about all our Education and Outreach programming.

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THE ADMIN FLOOR

The fifth floor provides modern office and collaboration space for Tennessee Theatre staff.

As the organization has grown over the past two decades, so too has the need for additional administrative space. The new offices provide room for current staff while supporting future growth and enhancing day-to-day operations that help sustain the Theatre's programming, preservation efforts, and community impact.

THE TOP FLOOR

The top floor of the building pays tribute to one of the property's most fascinating chapters.

During the 1950s, radio station WROL operated from this floor, broadcasting live performances by artists including the Everly Brothers, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, the Osborne Brothers, and many others.

Today, that musical legacy continues through a state-of-the-art recording studio designed for professional recording, educational programming, podcasts, interviews, and live performance capture. The studio is technologically connected to the Tennessee Theatre auditorium, allowing artists to record performances directly from the Theatre stage and create unique "Live from the Tennessee" content.

The recording studio expands the Theatre's ability to support artists, preserve performances, and introduce students to careers in music production and recording arts.

FAQS

What is the 612 Building?

The 612 Building is the Tennessee Theatre's expansion located immediately adjacent to the historic Theatre at 612 S. Gay Street. The project adds nearly 20,000 square feet of new space dedicated to patron amenities, education, artistic support, administrative functions, and community engagement.

Why did the Tennessee Theatre undertake this project?

Since reopening in 2005, attendance, programming, and community engagement have continued to grow. The expansion addresses long-standing needs for additional restrooms, concessions, rehearsal space, educational facilities, gathering spaces, and administrative offices while allowing the Theatre to better serve patrons and community partners.

How is the 612 Building connected to the Tennessee Theatre?

Patrons may enter the Osborne Lounge located on the balcony level of the Theatre foyer, directly across from Aisle 5. Those with access to the Everly Lounge may enter through the entrance located on the orchestra level (main) of the Theatre foyer, directly across from Aisle 5.

Can I book spaces in the 612 Building?

The Tennessee Theatre is not currently accepting requests or inquiries about renting spaces in the renovated building at 612 S Gay Street. We will be using the spring and summer of 2026 to integrate the spaces into our own programs and initiatives, and to confirm operational and labor needs for the spaces. We are in the process of developing use policies and rental rates, and those will be made available to the public later this year. Please watch our social media channels and/or newsletter for further information about when we will be accepting requests for space rental at 612 S Gay Street.

Does the building have historic significance?

The building at 612 S. Gay Street is also known as the Mechanics' Bank Building, due to the financial institution that was located here in an earlier structure, built ca. 1880. Mark Twain mentioned Knoxville's "Mechanics' National Bank" in a footnote of Life on the Mississippi, when he was looking for ironic examples of Southern chivalry. Twain recounted wire reports of a legendary gunfight in front of the building that resulted in the death of all three participants.

The current building's first four floors were built in 1907, and the top two floors were added in 1923. In addition to housing a bank, the building was home to a variety of businesses and offices, including a hearing aid company, a ticket office for Southern Railway, the headquarters of the Knoxville Badminton Association, the local chapter of the National Committee for Music Appreciation, the British War Relief Office, and TVA.

Notably, this building was the location of radio station WROL in the 1950s, broadcasting live the music and voices of luminaries such as Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Archie Campbell, Pearl and Carl Butler, the Osborne Brothers, and the Everly Brothers, among many others.

The 1980s brought hairdresser, restaurateur, and pioneer preservationist Kristopher Kendrick to 612 S. Gay Street to open a private club called the Old City Club. Guests included former President Gerald Ford, former Tennessee Governor Winfield Dunn, statesman Howard Baker, and composer Carlilse Floyd. Knoxville artists Richard Jolley and Tommie Rush were married there.

More recently, the building has served as the locations of several attorney firms and a debt collection agency.

(This information is condensed from research compiled by author and historian Jack Neely of the Knoxville History Project.)

How does the 612 Building support the Tennessee Theatre's mission?

The mission of the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation is to preserve and operate the Official State Theatre of Tennessee as an arts and entertainment cornerstone for the cultural enrichment and enjoyment of all. When completed, the space at 612 S. Gay Street will:

Host education and outreach opportunities for children that will develop future theater-goers and arts patrons, connecting today’s younger generation to the Theatre, just as past generations are connected.
Allow us to host dance, vocal, acting, multi-media, and visual art workshops with professionals.
Provide local instruction and performances that prepare students for national opportunities.
Enable us to continue utilizing the performing arts to improve youth literacy, critical thinking, and leadership skills.
Offer in-depth opportunities to create, rehearse and perform works by and for children.
Introduce non-performance careers in theater (technical, marketing, sales, management, etc.)
Feature enhanced amenities that will help provide an improved experience for all attendees, from the point of walking in the Theatre until the final curtain, whether ordering at concessions, relaxing during intermission, using the restrooms, or enjoying world-class entertainment in the beautiful auditorium.
Add an assortment of flexible and versatile event/support spaces added to the venue’s offerings will help sustain the historic Theatre with increased attendance and by strengthening revenue sources, keeping the organization financially stable.

A sincere thanks to our partners