KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The old Scripps/Discovery campus in West Knoxville is getting a new occupant.
Stand Out for Good Inc., parent company of Altar'd State, said it's moving there. Apex Bank, which owns the sprawling campus, sold a sizable chunk to AS Realty, LLC, an entity working on behalf of Altar'd State.
Apex subdivided its property into three lots as of September, said Nick McBride, the Knox County register of deeds. Apex has said all along it planned to sell off parts of the campus to other businesses.
Documents obtained by WBIR 10News show the purchaser's address is tied to Altar'd State, a fashion retailer based out of Maryville. Stand Out For Good confirmed the move in a release to 10News.
The company will quadruple its space with the move.
"The new office, steeped in Knoxville's history of innovation, will foster a dynamic and collaborative workplace culture for Stand Out For Good. The location was strategically chosen to provide convenience for existing team members and a compelling draw for fresh talent. Situated on a lake, the location boasts scenic walking trails and a fitness center to promote associate well-being. Stand Out For Good is also working to offer a daycare/learning center and café," the firm said in a release.
McBride said the purchase was roughly $27 million and includes the large office building at 550 Frank Gardner Lane, as well as a parking garage of about 550 spaces, and the campus satellite dish farm.
Apex bought the entire 32-acre site at 9721 Sherrill Boulevard from Scripps Networks, LLC for $35 million back in March to serve as its corporate headquarters. The firm will continue to occupy one of the main office buildings on the campus.
Stand Out For Good said it expects to finish the move in the coming months, "with the company's teams transitioning to the new facility in Knoxville in late 2023."
Below is the statement from Apex Bank's Santiago Cuccarese, senior vice president, chief operations /head of marketing.
"Earlier this year, Apex Bank relocated its corporate headquarters to the 32-acre campus, formerly known as Warner Brothers Discovery, where it occupies the building located at 9721 Sherrill Boulevard. Apex Bank has accelerated its goal of creating a state-of-the-art business complex in West Knoxville with the recent sale of one office building located at 550 Frank Gardner Lane, to AS Realty, LLC, who represents a local and innovative fashion business. Apex Bank is committed to the Knoxville community and looks forward to sharing this beautiful campus with AS Realty, LLC, and other future tenants. As Apex Bank continues to expand, it is actively seeking quality tenants that can benefit from the use of the onsite studios, office space, and data center."
Apex, a $1.2 billion community bank, was founded in 1931 as the Bank of Camden. It has 19 locations statewide.
Stand Out For Good bills itself as a "purpose-based, inspiring lifestyle and fashion family of brands rooted in community and committed to giving back."
Operations include 118 Altar'd State stores, 32 Arula boutiques, 10 Vow'd boutiques, seven Tullabee boutiques, and nine AS Revival stores in 39 states.