10-B-23-DT

Level II: Knoxville Downtown Hilton

Approve As Requested

APPROVE Certificate 10-B-23-DT as submitted.

Case File

Recommendation

Staff recommends approval of Certificate 10-B-23-DT as submitted.

Applicant Request

Level II: Exterior alteration, addition

- Exterior rehabilitation, including revisions to public spaces and ground-level elements, and an upper-level addition.
- Exterior rehabilitation elements:
- West elevation -- along curved wall, new landscaping planters to be installed, a new mural to be installed along pool deck and fitness center, new windows to be installed on second level of fitness center. New generator fencing.
- South elevation, fronting Church Ave -- new curtain wall glazing to be installed on first and second stories, with two new full-light entries providing access to coffee shop and hotel lobby; new wire trellis on enclosed area. Existing covered walkway to be painted and receive a new porte-cochere ceiling feature, with a new stainless-steel wire grid and tile cladding detail along the entry wall.
- Northeast corner, fronting Walnut St. and Church Ave. -- existing one-story massing to receive new brick cladding above the existing stucco exterior; new multi-light glazed openings on the existing second-story wall; a new balcony recessed within the structure, located above the existing entry ramp; and new glazed openings on the existing first-story wall. A new storefront system will enclose the existing ramp area on the southeast corner for a restaurant vestibule. A new projecting flat-roof canopy will extend from the east elevation. A new standalone, rectangular steel-framed patio roof is proposed for the south corner. New exterior fireplace on the patio; new canopies with marquee lights.
- Rooftop addition:
- A one-story bar/event space addition is proposed for the existing roofline. The rooftop addition will extend the full length of the existing building and feature metal framed walls with painted synthetic stucco cladding, a metal parapet cap, aluminum storefront transom windows with internal mullion grids along each elevation, and at least five bays of fenestrations recessed to provide a patio, with a glass railing with metal posts along the exterior. The addition will add approximately 25' in height.
- Scope of work also includes sitework: reworking of driveway and sidewalk, repair to some driveway pavers, revisions to valet parking drive aisle, and new landscaping elements along Church and Locust Streets. New exterior lighting elements.

Property Notes / Work to be Completed

- Overall, the proposed project meets the Downtown Design Guidelines as it establishes new street-level engagement along multiple elevations which were previously enclosed in the 1980s design. The project will incorporate additional first floor uses that draw walk-in traffic with new lobby doors, a new coffee shop, and a restaurant space; and establish a "largely transparent and consistent rhythm of entrances and windows" on elevations which were previously closed. The additional windows, entries, and design details use "building materials of a human scale in order to reduce the mass of buildings as experienced at the street level," and remove many of the existing blank walls along street-facing elevations. The new windows will be compatible with the replacement windows previously approved for the building. The landscaping and site elements such as the new patio and roof are compatible with the existing building and activate the public spaces at street level on multiple elevations.
- The rooftop addition is compatible with the existing building and meets the design guidelines by "enhancing the skyline of the block through cornices and details that are harmonious with adjacent architecture," adding additional transparency and visual interest to the upper level. A full-length rooftop addition may not be appropriate for a historic building downtown; however, the building to receive the addition was constructed in the 1980s and does not retain significant historic integrity.
- The drawings note that new signage will be submitted separately.

Applicable Guidelines

Downtown Design Guidelines

- A. PUBLIC REALM
- 4. DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION
- 4c. Plant street trees where possible. Choose tree planting locations that will not significantly alter the setting of, or harm the materials of historic buildings.
- B. PRIVATE REALM
- 1a. Maintain a pedestrian-scaled environment from block to block.
- 1c. Use building materials, cornice lines, signs, and awnings of a human scale in order to reduce the mass of buildings as experienced at the street level.
- 1d. Divide larger buildings into 'modules' that are similar in scale to traditional downtown buildings. Buildings should be designed with a recognizable base, middle, and top on all exposed elevations.
- 1e. Avoid blank walls along street-facing elevations.
- 3. BUILDING MATERIALS
- 3a. Use complimentary materials and elements, especially next to historic buildings.
- 4. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
- 4a. Encourage first floor uses that draw walk-in traffic; businesses that do not require pedestrian traffic should be located on other floors.
- 4b. Enhance pedestrian interest in commercial and office buildings by creating a largely transparent and consistent rhythm of entrances and windows.
- 4c. Scale first floor signs to pedestrians.
- 4d. Differentiate the architectural features of ground floors from upper floors with traditional considerations such as show-windows, transoms, friezes, and sign boards.
- 4e. Design top floors to enhance the skyline of the block through cornices and details that are harmonious with adjacent architecture.
- 4f. Encourage the use of 'green roofs' and other sustainable practices, while minimizing the visual impact from the street.
- 5. GROUND FLOOR DOORS AND WINDOWS
- 5a. Use consistent rhythm of openings, windows, doorways, and entries.
- 5b. Orient primary front entrances to the main street; secondary entrances should be clearly defined and oriented to streets or alleys, as appropriate.
- 5c. Design entrances according to the proportions of the building's height and width.
- 5d. Consider corner entrances at the ends of blocks.
- 5e. All windows at the pedestrian level should be clear
- 5f. Recess ground floor window frames and doors from the exterior building face to provide depth to the façade