Historic Preservation

The Post Office Building

The Post Office building, with exception of the Downtown Branch Post Office was vacant for many years and recently sold to the public. The new owner appreciates the early “art deco” or “moderne” design of this 1934 building. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, he wanted to preserve its best features while adapting it to commercial rental use. Using original drawings and other resources, the building’s mechanical and electrical systems were modernized for a range of new tenants including a state appeals court and a bank. The branch post office facilities were updated as well. Additional space within the building is used as commercial office rental.

Knoxville Academy of Medicine Building

The Knoxville Academy of Medicine (the late James Park residence), also as listed on the National Registry, was constructed in the late 1700’s. When the Academy moved to a new larger space elsewhere in the city it became available. A private developer bought the structure and with Cope assessed its adaptability for commercial rental. Cope made structural, mechanical and electrical investigations of the building and suggested repairs and updates to ready the building for its new program. Budgets were devised in order to evaluate the amount of work required to transform the building into rental property. Proposed rental layouts and necessary upgrades for circulation and access were established. The building renovations are being administered under a new developer and will soon be complete, allowing the James Park home to remain as a vital part of Knoxville’s architectural heritage for many years to come.

Knoxville High School

Knoxville High School is a landmark that has graced our community since 1910 educating many of Knoxville’s prominent businessmen and women. The facility is modeled in the Greek revival style, popular at the turn of the 20th century. Knox County Schools sought to adapt the building as its central office facility and requested team Cope to make renovation recommendations. The team researched the building’s infrastructure with the intent to update the facility while preserving the historic features. Portions of the mechanical system could be adapted to a new system of environmental conditioning, while the electrical system needed to be replaced in its entirety. Stabilization and repair of the buildings exterior was a priority to ensure the building would not be a victim of age and weather. Interiors were evaluated to conclude the amount of additions and changes needed to be made to adapt the building to its intended use while preserving its most important assets. When complete, this historic building will serve its educational tenant well into the 21st century as one of Knoxville’s significant architectural past.

Tyson Place

Tyson Place was adapted from the former Tyson Middle School, built in 1936 for the Knoxville Board of Education. The school became vacant when the City Schools were taken over by Knox County Schools. The building was acquired by the University of Tennessee and later auctioned for public sale. A private developer bought the structure to renovate the semi-classically designed building for commercial office rental space. The building was surveyed for addition to the National Register of Historic Places and tax incentives were acquired for renovating and preserving the exterior. The building, a visible landmark for years, is located on one of Knoxville’s busiest streets. It is now an outstanding private development that not only continues to provide a link with the recent past but also contributes to the community as a viable commercial entity. Cope Associates is proud to have been the architect on the rehabilitation of this property and currently locates it offices on the lower level where a number of businesses are tenants.