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Knox County closes sale of Andrew Johnson Building to turn it back into a hotel

A Nashville-based real estate development company purchased the building with plans to open a boutique hotel called Hotel AMERICANA.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The sale of the historic Andrew Johnson Building was closed on Monday, according to a release.

Nashville-based BNA Associates purchased the building for $6 million with plans to open a boutique hotel called Hotel AMERICANA, which is centered around the building's early roots in the music scene.

"The Andrew Johnson Building has a lot of history in this community, and BNA will now carry on that legacy for a whole new generation," said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. "Transferring this unique property to the private sector will help boost our local economy, producer hotel/motel, mixed-drink, and local option sales taxes, and provide a number of jobs."

The Andrew Johnson Building opened in 1929 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Knox County purchased the building in 1991 and Knox County Schools' administrative offices operated there for decades.

KCS was relocated to the TVA East Tower at the end of last year.

According to BNA, Hotel AMERICANA will consist of 169 guest rooms, a rooftop jazz bar, multiple food and beverage venues including the return of a supper club-style venue, a parlor room with billiards, board games, food pantry, a fireplace, and more. There will also be two private function spaces for up to 150 people each.

Credit: BNA Associates
A rendering of the proposed rooftop jazz bar inside the hotel.

“We sincerely enjoyed the partnership with Mayor Jacobs and his administration and are honored to have their trust in our ability to carry on the legacy of this building. Knoxville is a great place to do business and we are excited to expand our presence there,” said Philip Welker, Managing Partner of BNA.

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