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Ancient Lore Resort will not go in South Knoxville

Organizers confirmed Monday that plans for the story-themed attraction have evolved and will not include a full-scale resort.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Ancient Lore Village, the world’s first “Story Resort,” confirmed Monday that the company’s first resort will not be in South Knoxville.

According to a release by ALV representatives, "the business model for the resort was expanded to ensure viability in numerous markets across the country. As the business plan grew, amenities were added to the resort that were well beyond the scope of what was originally planned for the company’s property in South Knoxville."

While the South Knoxville property will remain an Ancient Lore Village Property it will not be used as a full-scale resort. Instead, the dwellings on the property will be used in other capacities, Ancient Lore CEO Matthew Cross said.  

"Our decision to withdraw plane development was driven by a desire to do something great for the community, that they are excited about that is quaint and beautiful and then to develop our full concept in a place with a tourism-dependent economy."

According to Cross, the company will work with local government entities and its South Knoxville neighbors to develop a quaint Ancient Lore Village concept for the company’s South Knoxville property.

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Keep the Urban Wilderness Peaceful has been outspoken against the development since the beginning and released a statement saying they were "delighted for the decision by Boyd Hollow Resorts to relocate its efforts for a commercial themed-tourist project in appropriately-located tourist areas where it can succeed."

KUWP also said they "look forward to shaping the development of this vision together" with Boyd Hollow Resorts.

"We were thrilled with that because they are interested in talking to us and that is a really good sing, now working on something that will benefit the whole community," Jennette Heikes said. 

Heikes home overlooks the development.

"We just wanted to have a voice in what kind of development it is and right now it looks like we are going to get that so we are really happy about that."

Rather than basing the resort’s theme on a specific book or story, Ancient Lore Village said it is now focused on those who visit the resort. 

RELATED: TDEC: Ancient Lore Village resort began construction without state permit, violated water pollution rules

“Because of the excitement surrounding Ancient Lore Village, we are currently exploring opportunities in Tennessee and at least three other states for our first Ancient Lore Village resort,” Cross said. “While the South Knoxville plan changed, the Ancient Lore Village concept has been overwhelmingly well-received, and we now have multiple locations bidding for our first location.”

According to project spokesperson Rick Laney, at this time, they cannot reveal the other states that are potential Ancient Lore Village Resort locations. 

Laney said Tennessee is still on the table for consideration. There is still another location in East Tennessee that is currently being evaluated and being considered for a full-scale resort, he said. 

Some ideas for the South Knoxville property include AirBNBs or a wedding venue but Laney said the company is still waiting for input from neighbors before anything is done. 

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