Knoxville Sunsphere Visitors Center
Sunsphere Visitors Center & Renovation
YEAR:
2023-Ongoing
LOCATION:
Knoxville, TN
SIZE:
935 SF
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
McCarty Holsaple McCarty is working with Visit Knoxville, in partnership with the City of Knoxville, the Public Building Authority, and Knox County on exciting updates to Knoxville’s iconic Sunsphere. The East Tennessee Community Design Center assisted with the conceptual design process. Phase I of the project, performed by CertaPro Painter of East Tennessee, restored the Sunsphere’s base to its original color, PANTONE 19-4052 TCX Classic Blue. Phase I started on October 1, 2023, and was completed before the end of the year.
Following this visual transformation, Phase II starts at the end of March 2024 with the construction of a new Welcome Center at the third level of the Sunsphere, to be performed by The Christman Company. The concept of the new enclosed space is to enhance the visitor experience with an expanded retail space, additional brochures and tourist information, and a clear view of the World’s Fair Park.
“The design for the Sunsphere Welcome Center will engage with the original structure in a modern way,” said Nathan Honeycutt, Principal at MHM. “This collaboration highlights Knoxville’s spirit to preserve, protect, and enhance one of our most cherished representations of Knoxville.”
Built for the 1982 World’s Fair, the Sunsphere was originally designed by architecture firm Community Tectonics. MHM serves as architect with Engineering Service Group, Inc. and Haines Structural Group as engineers for the renovations, and The Christman Company serves as construction manager for the project. Both MHM and Christman were involved in the original development of the Sunsphere and are pleased to be a part of the enhancements.