Tennessee Athletics and Athletic Director Danny White recently announced the vision and exploration of a new entertainment district that is to be constructed on the University of Tennessee’s campus. The public-private partnered district is planned to be constructed between Neyland Stadium and Thompson Boling Arena to allow for maximum fan accessibility.
“The university’s initial concept for the project—which would improve the aesthetics of Neyland Stadium’s exterior façade and strengthen campus’s connection with the Tennessee River—includes a boutique, full-service hotel with for-sale condominiums and conference/event space,” White said in a statement via the press release from Tennessee. “The vision also features the potential development of a ‘tabletop’ above the existing G10 parking garage to support additional tailgating, restaurants, retail and family-friendly entertainment activities.”
Tennessee’s plans come as the athletics department continues to rise across the board. The Vols and Lady Vols have combined for several highly ranked sports teams this year including a New Year’s Six football bowl winner and Sweet 16 appearances from both the men’s and women’s basketball teams.
As Tennessee continues to become more prominent in the broader college sports world, it certainly seems as though the current administration and the city are looking to make Knoxville a destination location for sports, concerts, and other big events.
Tennessee’s press release from Wednesday states that the hotel will be on the south side of the stadium.
“Innovation is at the forefront of everything we do,” White said via the press release from U.T. “The ideation of this new Neyland Entertainment District exemplifies that mindset. This is a massive project that has the potential to positively impact our entire city. We’re eager to see what world-class developers dream up to creatively maximize this extraordinary market opportunity. We have the capacity for constructing an entertainment ecosystem that doesn’t presently exist anywhere across the collegiate landscape.”
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The professional baseball world has already implemented these entertainment districts around the country, such as The Battery next to the Atlanta Braves ballpark and Texas Live! for the Texas Rangers in Arlington. These venues offer fans a unique tailgating experience and have been considered successful projects as both sports hangouts and entertainment hubs.
“Neyland Stadium has always been known for having one of the best gameday environments in college football,” Chancellor Donde Plowman said via the U.T. press release. “We love to welcome Vol Nation to campus on Saturdays in the fall. This project has the potential to create a year-round destination that engages the Tennessee River waterfront and enhances the campus and our community.”
The release from Tennessee states that the university has “engaged program management firm Brailsford & Dunlavey as a guiding partner” in the project. Brailsford & Dunlavey have worked with “hundreds” of colleges and professional teams alike since 1993 to advise on and create new and unique entertainment experiences.
“This public-private partnership opportunity will enhance the look and atmosphere of Neyland Stadium and the Knoxville campus while creating an additional destination for the city of Knoxville, all without state funding,” University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd said via the U.T. press release.
Here’s a look at the current southeast corner of Neyland Stadium to give a better idea of the project. The parking garage does press up very close against the southern endzone while Tennessee’s brand new engineering building is along the eastern side.
Here’s a look at a picture from Rocky Top Insider that was taken on Thursday from the top of the G10 parking garage facing east at the engineering buildings and the stadium. It is unclear where and what the exact layout of the plans will look like. This is just a visual look at the area between G10 and the engineering buildings.
“This is far greater than an activation on seven or eight days a year,” Danny White said via the press release. “This is a year-round destination that not only enhances our gamedays but also elevates the everyday academic experience of our entire student body and campus community year-round.”
