Tennessee Theatre Begins Work to Connect Historic 612 Building in $19M Expansion

Construction has officially begun on the Tennessee Theatre’s long-anticipated expansion, marking a significant milestone as crews begin work to connect the historic venue with the adjacent 612 Building in downtown Knoxville.

“For over 14 months, we’ve been working next door at the 612 Building on an expansion project that will add more amenities and services to the Tennessee Theatre,” said Becky Hancock, executive director of the Tennessee Theatre. “But [Wednesday] is the first day we’re actually seeing any noticeable work on the theatre side of things. So they’re preparing this foyer wall for some demolition work to happen.”

The Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation acquired the 612 Building in 2019, aiming to enhance the experience for patrons while creating additional space for programming. Although design work began shortly after the purchase, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed progress. Planning resumed in late 2022, and construction on the 612 Building itself began in April 2024.

Now, work is progressing on the theatre’s side of the expansion. “We’re actually going to open the wall to the outside, and eventually, later on this year, they will connect the buildings with some passageways,” Hancock added.

Currently, construction crews are carefully demolishing a nearly century-old wall inside the theatre. “They’re doing a great job of being careful and we’ll have some plaster specialists come in and repair and do some edge work around where those cut-throughs will happen,” Hancock said.

The full expansion will add a wide range of amenities: a 50% increase in women's restroom facilities, a full-service bar on the theatre’s balcony level, and a new donor lounge with its own bar on the main level. In addition to public features, the 612 Building will offer space for rehearsals, educational programs, community outreach, and partner collaborations.

Interestingly, the 612 Building predates the Tennessee Theatre. “The first four floors were built in 1908, and then the top two floors were added in 1923, while the Tennessee Theatre was opened in 1928,” Hancock explained.

As construction crews dig into the historic structures, some surprises have emerged. “Anytime you get digging around in an old building, you find things behind the walls and within the structure that you didn’t anticipate,” Hancock said. “So the architects and the contractors have done a really great job of when they come up against those surprises or challenges, figuring out ways to work around them.”

The Tennessee Theatre Foundation is still actively fundraising for the project, with a goal of $19 million. Nearly $17 million has already been raised over the past five years.

“We’re a nonprofit organization and this is a major capital improvement project, so we’re going to need everybody’s help in the community in order for us to meet that monetary goal,” said Hancock. “You can learn more about that at tennesseetheatre.com/612.”

The expansion is expected to be completed by early 2026, with an official opening date to be announced later this summer.

Originally reported by Hannah Moore in 6 News.