KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Matt Morelock sees a world of possibilities as he unlocks the doors of the now-shuttered Andrew Johnson Building and walks inside.
He points to a wall in a large room and describes how it will eventually come down to make way for a music venue.
The walls of the “AJ”, as it's known by locals, hold a century’s worth of stories. For three decades it was the Knox County School District headquarters. Before that, it was a hotel built in the late 1920s that housed WNOX RADIO on the top floor.
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Nashville-based BNA Associates bought the Gay Street property in 2022 for six million dollars. Managing Partner Philip Welker rifles through blueprints of what will be a boutique hotel with a modern-day feel. The ground floor will feature a grand staircase, lobby, and a restaurant in what is now an atrium.
"We have the existing plans for the way the building used to be and we are looking to restore it much back to the format it had," Welker said.
Matt Morelock, a musician and music promoter, is lending his creative talents to the redevelopment project. Working with BNA Associates, he envisions spaces for all types of performances from big band jazz to rock, to live radio. He says it's a nod to WNOX's past
"We’re also talking about bringing back the 'Mid-Day Merry-Go-Round,' which this was one of the first homes of the daily mid-day broadcasts back in this hotel," he said.
Country music great Hank Williams performed on WNOX at the AJ. He even spent his final hours there. Morelock walks into a corner room on the 5th floor.
"The legend passed down from generations since the day he was last seen alive is that this is the room Hank Williams spent his last night," he said.
Morelock sees the room with a view of the Tennessee River transforming into a Hank Williams-inspired speakeasy.
For now, they are visions and blueprints.
Welker says crews are still months out from starting the heavy-duty renovations. BNA Associates bought the Andrew Johnson Building in 2022 with the intent of starting construction within months. Two years later the work has yet to begin in earnest. Welker cites financial market challenges during that time including high inflation.
"In all of 2023, there was really zero construction loans that got done so we had to wait until the page turned on that, which it actually did at the end of 2023-2024," Welker said.
In March we reported Knox County Leaders sent the company a letter threatening to take the building back if construction didn't begin within 90 days. There has since been some demolition. A county official says they plan to send another letter to BNA in the coming weeks asking for an updated construction timeline, as well as, additional information.
Welker says the project is on track and he and his team look forward to welcoming people to the Andrew Johnson Hotel.
Morelock says an overnight stay or a quick visit to its music venues or rooftop bar will offer a glimpse of the present and the past.
"The hotel needs to be a wonderful place for guests to stay. My selfish ambition is to make it a wonderful place for locals to hang out."