Dec. 09, 2025
The Tennessee Theatre has announced that the anticipated opening of the renovated 612 Building is March 20, 2026, the night of the newly announced Old Crow Medicine Show concert at the Theatre. Tickets for the concert go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12.
Through the unique footprint of the structure, the Tennessee Theatre’s auditorium foyers on both the main and balcony levels have been physically connected to the building at 612 S. Gay St. This will allow patrons to access the renovated 612 Building from inside the Theatre and enjoy the expanded amenities, including additional bar service locations and more public restrooms.
In addition to the public opening date of the 612 Building, Tennessee Theatre officials announced the intended use of the more recently acquired top floor of the building. It will feature a state-of-the-art recording studio that will be technologically connected to the Theatre’s auditorium and can be used for touring artists to record “Live at the Tennessee” content. It also will be available for use by other artists, nonprofit partners and guests recording music, podcasts and other content.
“We cannot wait to share the beautifully renovated 612 Building and its many amenities and offerings with our attendees, friends and supporters,” Tennessee Theatre Executive Director Becky Hancock said. “This project has been many years in the making, and as we near the completion of the construction, we see the vision of the expanded amenities and benefits to our attendees coming into clearer focus than ever before.
“But we also have renewed excitement about the possibilities that the 612 Building will offer for our theatre programming, education and outreach initiatives, our community arts and nonprofit partners and beyond. And, with factoring in the new addition of the top-floor recording studio, the opportunities are boundless.”
The recording studio is designed by Nashville-based Steven Durr Designs, a consulting firm known and respected throughout the world in all areas of acoustic design. The location of the studio is particularly noteworthy, given that in the 1950s the top floor of 612 S. Gay St., was home to radio station WROL-AM. Many musical luminaries performed live on the radio from there, including the Everly Brothers, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, the Osborne Brothers, Archie Campbell and others.
“Designing this studio has been an honor,” said Xan Gabriel of Steven Durr Designs. “Our goal was to preserve the soul of this historic space while equipping it for the next generation of creators. It’s a place where legacy and innovation meet, and we are grateful to help carry its story forward.”
While the recording studio will be completed at a later date, starting March 20, ticketholders attending shows and events at the Theatre will have the opportunity to access the 612 Building through the balcony-level foyer connection. There, they will enjoy a new intermission lounge, bar service and additional restrooms.
Other spaces inside the 612 Building will provide room for enhanced education, outreach and partnership opportunities, allowing the Theatre to better serve the community. The street-level space also will serve as a separate reception or gathering place for pre- and post-show events. Theatre officials plan to announce additional information about the street-level space, anticipated opening of the recording studio and other features leading up to and following the March 20 public opening.
Fundraising for the expansion project continues, with more than $20 million of the $24 million raised to date. While the Tennessee Theatre purchased the majority of 612 S. Gay St. in 2019, the top floor of the building was not available for purchase at that time and was later acquired by the Theatre in September 2024.
“It was an incredible opportunity to acquire the remaining floor and incorporate it into the overall building renovation and functionality, as well as add the recording studio as a premier feature and nod to the building’s notable music history,” Hancock said. “While that added to our budget and construction timeline, it also increased the potential of the Tennessee Theatre’s impact on the community in its second century.
“We’re so close to our goal, and we know with this community’s generosity and love of the Tennessee Theatre, we will reach it. If every person who has attended a Tennessee Theatre show or event donated at least $25, the project would be fully funded! Every dollar counts, and we can’t wait for our guests to enjoy the benefits and build new memories.”
The renovation of the 612 Building, formerly known as Mechanics’ Bank and Trust, began in April 2024. Led by construction manager Jenkins & Stiles and project manager Partners Development, along with architect and interior designer McCarty Holsaple McCarty, the project will fully renovate the historic building and integrate it into the Official State Theatre of Tennessee.
From its historic opening as a movie palace to becoming the region’s leading performing arts venue, the Tennessee Theatre in its 97th year will add the 612 Building to its footprint, enhancing its mission to serve as the arts and entertainment cornerstone in East Tennessee and expand cultural enrichment and enjoyment for all. Learn more and donate at tennesseetheatre.com/612.
About the Tennessee Theatre
The Tennessee Theatre opened its doors in 1928 as a movie palace in the heart of downtown Knoxville and was transformed into an arts and entertainment venue after a $30 million renovation was completed in 2005. Now listed in the National Register of Historic Places and honored as the Official State Theatre of Tennessee, today’s Tennessee Theatre has something for everyone: classical music, vintage films, dance, Broadway, and stellar performances by today’s hottest musicians and yesterday’s favorites. The Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation was established in 1996 as a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve and operate the Theatre as a cultural cornerstone for the enrichment and enjoyment of all. For more information, visit tennesseetheatre.com.
