Marriott/Maker Exchange Conversion | Downtown Knoxville
Marriott/Maker Exchange Conversion | Downtown Knoxville
Awards Category : : Renovation / Restoration
The Maker Exchange is a public space designed to showcase Knoxville’s artistic community while providing an energetic maker environment for locals and visitors to enjoy. The mixed-use space set next to World’s Fair Park supports two hotels, the Marriott and Tennessean, and serves a local maker council curated by Dogwood Arts. A newly branded program - including a local coffee shop, restaurant, game room, and retail space showcasing local makers - breathes new life into the once underutilized space.
The Maker Exchange put Knoxville’s heart and soul into every detail of this unique collection of spaces. The banquet halls on the park level received a full renovation, including an expanded ballroom space. The public areas adjacent to both the Marriott and The Tennessean received a major facelift and the new entry between the two hotels features local muralists’ work.
Openings along the World’s Fair Park façade connect the renovated interior spaces to the park. From coffee mugs to the art and fine crafts on display, and even much of the furniture, we sourced everything we could from Knoxville’s Makers to immerse visitors in a truly, authentic Maker City celebration. The treasure chest of Maker Exchange is The Curio - an ever-changing, shoppable display of Knoxville-made sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, and much more.
Building Area: +/-65,047 sf sf
Cost per square foot: +/-$130.50
Construction Cost: +/-$8,456,110
Date of Completion: 2022
Client: Rockbridge Capital, RB Hotel Development, LLC
General Contractor: Blaine Construction
Electrical Consultants: Ardurra – Aarron Gray, Professional Engineer, (865) 690-6419, agray@ardurra.com
Haines Structural Group – Bobby Haines, President, (865) 329-9920, bobbyh@hanies-sg.com
Hedstrom Design – Sara Pinnell, President, (865) 329-0012, sara@hedstromdesign.com
Avant Acoustics – Andrew Siebert, President, (913) 888-9111, asiebert@avantacoustics.com
CDM Lighting Design – Rachel Kinsey, Accounting, (404) 522-9211, accounting@cdmlight.com
Stonehill Taylor Architects, P.C. – Neil Parker, Principal, (212) 226-8698, nparker@stonehilltaylor.com
Robin Easter Design – Robin Easter, (865) 524-0146, robin@robineaster.com
Engineering Consultants:
Other:
Photography Credits:
1. The images shows the adjacency with the two hotels. Photo by Joe Thomas
2. The site plan displays key connections
3. Timeline photos demonstrate change to the site since the 70s
4. Exterior before and after photos to highlight branding and engaement. Top photo by Elijah Lightfoot Photography
5. Updated entry painted by local muralists to re-engage the street. Top photo by Joe Thomas
6. Section perspective with approach to branding
7. Exterior spaces display local muralists' work - Left photo and bottom right photo by Joe Thomas; Top right photo by Elijah Lightfoot Photography
8. Goal 1. Circulation + Connection - old escalators replaced with new monumental staircase - Photo by Joe Thomas
9. Goal 2. Transparency - openings were created along entry facades - Photos by Joe Thomas
10. Goal 3. Activation - a variety of circulation and connectivity allow visitors to flow through the space. Photos by Elijah Lightfoot Photography
11. The Curio is an ever-changing, shoppable display of Knoxville-made sculptures, jewelry, ceramics, and more. Photo by Elijah Lightfoot Photography
12. Branding + Art - Local branding, artisans, and makers were utilized in the design. Top left, top right, and bottom left photos by Elijah Lightfoot Photography; bottom middle photo by Joe Thomas
13. Local branding, artisans, and makers work on display in the restaurant
14. New monumental staircase with local muralist's work as a creative backdrop. Photo by Joe Thomas