Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval for the storefront modifications.
Historic Zoning Commission
Miller Building H-1 Landmark: Level II
4-I-17-HZ
Location Knoxville
445 S Gay St 37902
Owner
Knoxville Utilities Board - Joe Petre (Conversion Properties, Inc.) Joe Petre (Conversion Properties, Inc.)
Applicant Request
Level II. Major repair or replacement of materials or architectural elements
Awning or canopy; Doors; SignsThe exterior renovation of storefronts for two tenants on the building will include replacing the existing exterior windows, adding new recessed entries to each space and replacing or removing the existing awnings. Also, installing new dark bronze storefront with clear Solar Ban 60 glass at each of the existing openings.
The South tenant (#1) will not modify the existing window openings. The overall height of the storefront below the canopy will remain 8'-0"H x 16'-11"W and the height of the storefront above the canopy will remain 6'-2" H x 16'-11" W. All framework components will be verified to match the size and color of the existing window systems. A new recessed entrance will be incorporated with two 3'-0" W x 7'-10" H doors that will match existing buildings finishes. The entry will include two new steps, and a landing. The exterior walls surrounding the new entry will match the existing stone cladding. The tile for the entry stairs and landing will match the Gay Street entry for the Region's Bank. All framework components will be verified to match the size and color of the existing window systems.
The North tenant (#2) plans to eliminate the existing awnings. New dark bronze storefront and clear glass will be installed at the openings. The overall height and width of the existing windows will remain 15'-8" H X 14'-0" W, but they will no longer be broken at the midpoint with exterior cladding or canopies. All framework components will be verified to match the size and color of the existing window systems. A new recessed entrance will be incorporated with angled display windows similar to a previous tenant as illustrated in the historical photo provided. The two new doors will be 3'-0" W x 7'-10" H and match existing building finishes.
SIGNAGE -- (Level I - staff approval).
The signage for the South tenant (#1) is proposed to be a blade sign that is 2'-6" x 4'-0". The new sign will be internally lit, and have a mounting height of roughly 12'- 4" above the sidewalk to align with the sill of the existing upper window as shown. The blade sign will be attached to masonry, that is not original to the building, using two arms bolted to the wall like other signage found on Gay St. See attached example. When possible, we plan to bolt through the mortar joints to minimize any possible damage to the masonry.
The South tenant (#1) will not modify the existing window openings. The overall height of the storefront below the canopy will remain 8'-0"H x 16'-11"W and the height of the storefront above the canopy will remain 6'-2" H x 16'-11" W. All framework components will be verified to match the size and color of the existing window systems. A new recessed entrance will be incorporated with two 3'-0" W x 7'-10" H doors that will match existing buildings finishes. The entry will include two new steps, and a landing. The exterior walls surrounding the new entry will match the existing stone cladding. The tile for the entry stairs and landing will match the Gay Street entry for the Region's Bank. All framework components will be verified to match the size and color of the existing window systems.
The North tenant (#2) plans to eliminate the existing awnings. New dark bronze storefront and clear glass will be installed at the openings. The overall height and width of the existing windows will remain 15'-8" H X 14'-0" W, but they will no longer be broken at the midpoint with exterior cladding or canopies. All framework components will be verified to match the size and color of the existing window systems. A new recessed entrance will be incorporated with angled display windows similar to a previous tenant as illustrated in the historical photo provided. The two new doors will be 3'-0" W x 7'-10" H and match existing building finishes.
SIGNAGE -- (Level I - staff approval).
The signage for the South tenant (#1) is proposed to be a blade sign that is 2'-6" x 4'-0". The new sign will be internally lit, and have a mounting height of roughly 12'- 4" above the sidewalk to align with the sill of the existing upper window as shown. The blade sign will be attached to masonry, that is not original to the building, using two arms bolted to the wall like other signage found on Gay St. See attached example. When possible, we plan to bolt through the mortar joints to minimize any possible damage to the masonry.
Staff Comments
Beaux Arts (1905) and Art Deco (1935)- The earliest (southern) portion of the Miller's Department Store in downtown Knoxville was erected in 1905 and was was the most popular among downtown shoppers. A foundation of the downtown business district, the seven-story building was designed in the popular Beaux Arts style by Knoxville-based architect, R. F. Graf. A 1911 addition to the north was in the same style as the original building, but an expansion in 1935 was in the Art Deco style. In 1998, after numerous modifications to the façade, the building was restored returning the buildings to the earliest appearance of each of the three component sections.
2. The distinguishing original qualities or character of a building, structure, or site and its environmental shall not be destroyed. The removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural features should be avoided when possible.
3. All buildings, structures, and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations that have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance shall be discouraged.
4. Changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and development of a building, structure, or site and its environment. These changes may have acquired significance in their own right, and this significance shall be recognized and respected.
5. Distinctive features, finishes and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved.
6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement or missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical or pictorial evidence.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.
9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.
10. Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to a structure shall be done in such a manner that if such additions or alterations were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the structure would not be impaired.
3. All buildings, structures, and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations that have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance shall be discouraged.
4. Changes which may have taken place in the course of time are evidence of the history and development of a building, structure, or site and its environment. These changes may have acquired significance in their own right, and this significance shall be recognized and respected.
5. Distinctive features, finishes and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved.
6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement or missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical or pictorial evidence.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.
9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.
10. Wherever possible, new additions or alterations to a structure shall be done in such a manner that if such additions or alterations were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the structure would not be impaired.
Applicant
Planning Staff
Email: contact@knoxplanning.org
McCarty Holsaple McCarty, INC - Nathan Honeycutt Nathan Honeycutt
Planning Staff
Kaye Graybeal
Phone: 215-2500Email: contact@knoxplanning.org
