Fascinating downtown home tour; but a little bad news

Condo owner Susan Brown, left, and her friend Jacque Hawks welcomed guests to Susan’s stunning condo on the second floor of Regas Square during the VIP reception.

There’s good news and bad news from this year’s Downtown Home Tour, an inside look at some real life condominiums and apartments in several of Knoxville’s most notable buildings sponsored by the East Tennessee Historical Society.

The good news is that the home tour, held last month, was fascinating, featuring a wide range of beautiful residences. It was so good, in fact, that the Blue Streak will have two posts about it — this one featuring the opening party and two condos, and another one tomorrow with the rest of the homes. That post will spotlight perhaps the most interesting stop: the new Yardley Flats apartments at Covenant Health Park.

OK. Here’s the bad news. Unless another non-profit or other organization picks it up, this will be the last year for the tour. 

Here’s why. The historical organization has determined that the tour is so time-consuming and resource-intensive to pull off that it doesn’t justify its expense — especially time-wise. “And, it’s really not a perfect match for our historical mission,” said Gay Lyons, chief development officer for the organization. In fact, some strategic consultants hired by the group recommended dropping the tour for that reason.

“I want to stress,” Lyons said, “that we aren’t making this decision because it wasn’t successful — it was very successful. We had great attendance and it actually made about $20,000 this year. But it’s just not in alignment with our mission and it’s such a time demand when we have other things we should be working on for the organization.”

The downtown home tour was operated for 29 years by an organization called City People, which was formed to support folks who lived, worked and played in downtown Knoxville. When that organization disbanded a few years ago, the Historical Society picked it up. About 250 people attended this year and purchased tickets for $30 each. VIP tickets, which included the reception, featured an additional three homes and were $100 each. Two of those homes were on display the night of this reception; one was an add-on during the tour itself.

Lyons said that if another group wants to pick up the tour, the Historical Society will be happy to help with advice and tips – plus physical resources like signage for the locations and lanyards for volunteers. (It takes between 50 and 100 volunteers, by the way.) If your group is interested, contact Gay Lyons at (865) 215-8827 or [email protected].

Now, on to the show!

Welcome to Regas Square, 333 W. Depot Avenue. It contains 101 condo units with a community gathering room, a beautiful patio, a fitness center, and a private parking garage.

Historical Society President and CEO Warren Dockter and Kelley Weatherley-Sinclair, the group’s community engagement manager, welcomed folks to the reception in the community room on Regas Square’s second floor.

From left, Gay Lyons, Kendall Keller, Kim Henry, Anthony Wilson, and Jenny Bushkell.

Melinda and Kevin Grimac. Her company, Alliance Sotheby’s International, was one of the tour’s sponsors.

From left, Barbara Apking, Carole Coode, and Leslie Parent.

Sheryl Linck and Garry Conklin.

David Reynolds is chairman and CEO of Home Federal Bank of Tennessee, the tour’s presenting sponsor. He attended with his daughter, Gracie Tracy.

Marsha Hollingsworth and Michael Combs.

Everyone gathered to hear a few remarks from Warren Dockter.

We call call him “Doctor Dockter” because he has a Ph.D.!

Although it was threatening rain, some of us ventured onto the patio. I love the view it offers of downtown.

From left, Bill Eversole, Eric Elliott, and Jenny Eversole.

Back inside, from left, Jim Harness, Ricky Kennedy, Kim Henry, and Zibbie Kerin.

Bill Lyons, left, with Sandi Burdick and Tom Boyd.

Here are a few of the assorted sweet and savory party snacks on the buffet.

Back at Susan Brown’s place, a look at the lovely dining area.

Pretty orchids in the kitchen.

The master bedroom is elegant.

Here’s the guest room. I have loved that headboard since I first met Susan more than 30 years — and several residences — ago!

More pretty flowers. These were in the powder room.

The other condo on display that night belongs to Robin and David Lawless. It’s on the sixth floor.

Here they are in the living room.

Their expansive view is to the north.

Their living room is set up a lot more casually than Susan’s. Behind me as I took this photo is a large flat screen TV, perfect for viewing sports.

A kitchen with a view!

That’s where we ran into Peter and Jeannie Ullrich. Their company, Ullrich Printing, was one of the sponsors.

A cozy and inviting den/office.

The master bedroom also has a view.

Very cool art in the guest bedroom.

Another guest room with entertaining artwork.

There you have it! A fun first night! Return to the Blue Streak tomorrow for the rest of the tour!