Partying on the ground floor of The Holston, soon to be home to Clinch River Brewing.
Wow. There was certainly something for everyone last night at the preview party for the East Tennessee Community Design Center’s Urban Home and Garden Tour, which is set for today and tomorrow. (Moxley Carmichael is honored to be a sponsor.)
The party started in The Holston on Gay Street, built in 1913 as the tallest building in Knoxville and as home to Holston National Bank. With hors d’oeuvres by Nancy Kendrick and volunteers serving very ably as bartenders, the party was held on the ground floor. Dr. Bill Snyder, the Tennessee Theatre’s organist and chancellor emeritus of the University of Tennessee, provided lovely piano music.
The highlight of the party, to me, was when Lisa Shirey, who has leased the space, described the business, Clinch River Brewing, that she and her husband plan to open there. Not only will it be a brewery, but also a restaurant serving seafood and having a full bar and an outdoor eating area. I can’t wait for that!
Historian Dr. Bruce Wheeler also made remarks and described The Elliot, which partygoers got to tour as a sneak peek of this weekend’s activities.
Lisa Shirey describing her new business, Clinch River Brewing, which will be located on the ground floor of The Holston.
The Elliot, at 201 W. Church Ave., was built in 1907 as Whitefield Apartments, a combination office and residential building. Later turned into a long-term stay hotel, Wheeler related how reporters at the News Sentinel, then located across Church Avenue from it, referred to it as the “Empty Arms” for the men who stayed there — and the women who came and went!
After the tour of The Elliot, we returned to The Holston and were allowed into the bank vault, a fascinating space in the building’s basement.
If you haven’t gotten your tickets to the Urban Home and Garden Tour, click here. They only cost $30 and include eight locations. This year’s selections feature homes that also have outdoor spaces, thus the “garden” reference. It’s a self-guided tour, so you can set your own pace. And, perhaps, stop for drinks and nibbles between stops. That’s what I plan to do!
Folks were in a party mood, but they did pause to hear a few remarks.
Mayor Madeline Rogero made good use of one of the paper fans that were given out.
From left, Rick Blackburn, Jeff and Lyn Johnson.
Judith Bible, left, and Georgiana Vines.
Rhonda Byrd and Roger Ricker.
Jane and Doug McCarty.
Nathan Rowell and his mom, Glenn Rowell.
Barbara Apking, left, and Sheena McCall.
Bill Lyons.
Amy Styles, left, and Mary Fran Darwin.
Mike and Chris Collins.
Wayne Blasius, executive director of the East Tennessee Community Design Center, welcomed everyone.
Dr. Bruce Wheeler waiting to make his remarks.
Mushroom-spinach bites. Yum.
My favorite: bacon-spinach-tomato tarts.
Lisa Shirey, left, chatting with Jenny Blackburn.
Soon, it was off to tour The Elliot. We were in the first tour group.
Here it is. Also known as “The Empty Arms.”
Alan Carmichael puts on his booties in preparation for our tour of a luxury condo in The Elliot.
The condo belongs to our friends Cliff and Jacque Hawks.
Whenever I go to their place, I have “kitchen envy!”
And “living room envy!”
Here are Mark and Amanda Jennings in the library. Amanda, with Moxley Carmichael, helped promote the Urban Home Tour as part of our pro-bono work for the Design Center.
I don’t think Buddy was too happy to have more than 100 folks traipsing through his home.
Dan and Mary Holbrook with Wendy Smith, right, of the Shopper News. They were photographed in the master bedroom.
Sheryl and Wendell Ely.
Jennifer and Robert Carter.
Faris and Ghada Eid in the shower! We all called it a “party shower” because it was so large!
Back at The Holston, Amanda was interested in the massive vault door.
Here’s the door on the inside of the vault.
Brian Pittman of Johnson Architecture loved exploring the vault.
See everybody on the tour tonight and tomorrow!
Until then, here’s a snippet of beautiful music from Bill Snyder:
They should add a fee to see Buddy the beautiful cat!
He was a little grumpy. Maybe because he’s 15 years old and doesn’t have time for this human nonsense!
It is a great space. Can’t wait for the restaurant.
Let’s go there together, Sheena. It sounds fantastic.
So glad you posted these pictures since I couldn’t attend the opening night party! The Hawks’ condo is divine!! Was able, however, to do the tour – so fascinating. All these great places to live in all kinds of configurations and unique decor — right in my hometown! Thanks, ET Community Design Center for a super event!
I wish i had been there. Your pictures are great!
Rusha: Glad you could make the tour. I did, too. Hot, but fun.
Thanks, Monique.
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