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Design Review Board

Level 1: Minor alteration of an existing building/structure

2-B-21-DT

Revision to drawings previously approved in September and November 2019 (9-C-19-DT and 11-D-19-DT). Changes from previously approved drawings are primarily on the courtyard-facing, west elevation wall; due to structural concerns, west elevation wall needs to be demolished and reconstructed.

On the west elevation, the new design features a modified window layout. On the first-story, the leftmost bay includes a Nanawall sliding door system and exterior doors in a new opening; single-light doors are topped by three-light transoms. The right bay features a new store-front, single-light door followed by five single-light windows, topped by three-light transoms. On the second-story above the steel balcony are four bays. The leftmost bay is a single-light storefront door providing access to the balcony. The following four bays feature groups of five single-light windows topped by three-light transoms. Original bricks will be salvaged and reused when possible, along with stucco piers where indicated on the drawings.

Revisions also include a change from the previously-approved wood/cementitious-trimmed, storefront windows to aluminum storefront windows, designed with a decorative trim. Decorative muntins in the transoms will be surface applied to resemble a true divided lite. Finally, the main entry door on the south elevation has been revised to measure 9'-6" in height.

Location
125 E. Jackson Ave.
Applicant Request
Revision to drawings previously approved in September and November 2019 (9-C-19-DT and 11-D-19-DT). Changes from previously approved drawings are primarily on the courtyard-facing, west elevation wall; due to structural concerns, west elevation wall needs to be demolished and reconstructed.

On the west elevation, the new design features a modified window layout. On the first-story, the leftmost bay includes a Nanawall sliding door system and exterior doors in a new opening; single-light doors are topped by three-light transoms. The right bay features a new store-front, single-light door followed by five single-light windows, topped by three-light transoms. On the second-story above the steel balcony are four bays. The leftmost bay is a single-light storefront door providing access to the balcony. The following four bays feature groups of five single-light windows topped by three-light transoms. Original bricks will be salvaged and reused when possible, along with stucco piers where indicated on the drawings.

Revisions also include a change from the previously-approved wood/cementitious-trimmed, storefront windows to aluminum storefront windows, designed with a decorative trim. Decorative muntins in the transoms will be surface applied to resemble a true divided lite. Finally, the main entry door on the south elevation has been revised to measure 9'-6" in height.
Staff Comments
The building is not located within a National Register Historic District so the Historic Resources section of the guidelines does not apply. However, the adjacent building to the west is within the Southern Terminal and Warehouse National Register Historic District.

The re-establishment of doors and windows on the exterior elevations meet the recommendations of the guidelines by using a consistent rhythm of openings, having a primary entrance that faces the main street and proportional to size of the building, recessed ground floor window frames and doors, and clear glass at the pedestrian level. The revised entry height remains proportional to the size of the building. The modified window and door placement on the courtyard-facing elevations are complimentary to the building's overall design, use consistent rhythm of solids to voids, and clearly define the secondary entries. The larger sized windows creates additional transparency and visual entrance for the courtyard facing elevations. The proposed design incorporates transom windows for additional architectural character.

The proposed revision of storefront window and door materials from previously-approved wood/cementitious to the aluminum storefront systems does not detract from the overall integrity and design of the building or the surrounding district. Aluminum storefront systems are common on both historic and new construction commercial buildings.
Applicant

Grohol / R2R Studio, LLC

Planning Staff
Lindsay Lanois
Phone: 865-215-3795
Email: lindsay.lanois@knoxplanning.org
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