Tennessee Historic Project
Case Studies
Download a PDF of this information by clicking here.
The Union Station Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee
The initial renovation and transformation of this iconic train station into a hotel took place in the mid 1980’s. Subsequent finish and system upgrades continue to improve the facility and help define the property as a luxurious 4-star hotel within Marriott International’s Autograph Collection.
In addition to restoring this timeless masterpiece to its original, historic character, the rehabilitation of the Union Station Hotel created permanent jobs and returned this once blighted and vacant building into a revenue-producing structure, generating federal, state and local taxes. Further, direct revenues from the 125-room hotel, restaurants on location and the use of the property as a wedding venue, contribute to the economic vitality of the property and the revenues that more than offset the cost of the tax credits used to preserve historic elements and preserve this historic landmark.
Additional economic benefits extend far beyond the direct economic return on the initial investment. The renewal of this landmark has increased property values and economic development along Broadway and into the adjacent redeveloped Gulch District.
Eureka Inn in Jonesborough, Tennessee
Dating back to 1797, the Eureka Inn evolved in its use for decades until a group formed to purchase, renovate and operate the structure as a quaint hotel. After three years of rehabilitation and almost three million dollars, the Eureka reopened in 1997 as a historic gem to the Jonesboro community.
For the past 20 years, this outstanding preservation project has added to the vitality of Jonesborough and generated increased state and local tax revenues.
St. John’s Building in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Now the St. John’s Building, this historic structure was constructed in 1915 as The Ellis Hotel. In the early 1990s, the City of Chattanooga issued a demolition contract on the property. Just prior to demolition, Cornerstones approached the city commission and requested that the demolition fees ($80,000) be given to them with the provision that they commit to saving the building. The city stopped the demolition, gave Cornerstones the money and the building was saved.
Today the St. John’s Building houses a very successful St. John’s Restaurant, The Meeting Place lunch venue, The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and apartments in the upper floors. But for the federal historic tax credit, the building would have been demolished and the history lost forever. Now the building is an economically viable commercial structure that adds character to the Chattanooga community.
Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee
This 1937 historic theatre closed in 2007. The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County raised $8.5 million in the depths of the recession to purchase, renovate, and transform this Main Street theatre into a showpiece that serves the entire community with $5.00 movies and high-end internationally known live performances.
After the reopening, the Main Street merchants reported double digit increases in their sales (and tax revenues) and expanded their hours.
Since opening in 2011, over 350,000 patrons have laughed, cried and been touched by award-winning musical talents from almost every genre, world class theatre, special movie experiences, and scores of community and business events. As a new centerpiece of Franklin’s renowned Main Street, the Franklin Theatre has spurred a new emphasis on music and art in Williamson County.
The venue now averages more than 600 events each year and contributes a direct annual economic impact of $3.8 million. As a non-profit recipient of the community’s generosity, the Theatre has hosted fundraisers that have helped area charities raise over $3 million.
Col. Littleton’s Stores in Lynnville, Tennessee
Col. Littleton, local manufacturer of high quality leather goods, operates two stores in historic buildings in downtown Lynnville, Giles County - population 327.
The stores attract buyers and tourists from far and wide and help support several other stores, including the Wildhorse Trading Company, The Lynnville Railroad Museum, Tenn South Distillery and the Soda Pop Junction
James Robertson Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee
Originally completed in September 1929, the James Robertson building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the 1980’s for its exemplary use of art deco design. The building was architect Marr and Holman’s first art deco project, which allowed them to segue into creating the million dollar post office (Frist Museum) a year after the completion of the James Robertson Hotel.
Without federal historic tax credits, this project likely would not have happened. This revitalized and rehabilitated historic structure will house 191 new guestrooms, a new restaurant and a roof top bar. The project is 13 floors, totaling over 125,000 SF.
Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee
When the Tennessee Theatre opened in 1928, it was heralded as the premiere "movie palace" in Knoxville and "the South's most beautiful theatre.” In 1977, the Theatre closed, ceasing operations for the first time in fifty years. For the next twenty years, the ownership of the property changed several times, with periodic closings and re-openings. In 1997, the Theatre was donated to the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation, a nonprofit group with a vision and a plan to restore the luster to the Theatre by transforming it from an aging movie theater into a state-of-the-art performing arts facility for all of East Tennessee.
The 60,000 square foot Theatre underwent a $30 million rehabilitation to drastically improve the Theatre’s capacity to host live performances. The Theatre now hosts live dance, theatre and musical performances, including the Knoxville City Ballet, Knoxville City Opera, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and nationally known jazz musicians as well as classic movie screenings. The renovated Theatre has served as a catalytic project to the community, leading to the building of adjacent loft residences, the preservation of a row of historic storefronts and the renovation of the nearby Bijou Theatre.