KNOXVILLE, TN (October 22, 2024) – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Visit Knoxville announces today that the Sunsphere Welcome Center will open to the public on November 20, 2024, as part of Phase II of the plan to update and enhance the iconic structure. The Sunsphere Observation Deck will close to the public for final renovations November 4 through November 19, 2024 and will reopen on November 20, 2024.

The public is invited to join the Welcome Center opening with press conference and ribbon-cutting on November 20 at 10 AM and a celebration of “coffee and Clydesdales.” The famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be on-site from 9–11 AM for photo ops along with coffee from Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck for purchase and complimentary Sunsphere cookies to commemorate the event.

The Sunsphere was painted back to its original PANTONE® color Classic Blue 19-4052 TCX by CertaPro Painters in partnership with the City of Knoxville, the Public Building Authority, and Knox County. Phase I was completed on November 17, 2023.

Phase II entailed the construction of the Welcome Center on the third-floor level of the Sunsphere (street level on Clinch Avenue). The Welcome Center will enhance the visitor experience by providing staffed ticketing, expanded retail, as well as brochures and information in an enclosed space overlooking World’s Fair Park, with completion on November 20, 2024.

“We’re thrilled this day is finally here to be able to offer this enhanced experience for our community and beyond,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “The Welcome Center expansion shows our passion and dedication to this iconic structure, and we can’t wait to welcome our visitors to the Sunsphere!”

“I am so excited to share these renovations with all of Knoxville and the thousands of visitors who come here every year,” said City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon. “Thank you Visit Knoxville for having the vision to bring this new visitor’s center to life, and for ensuring this landmark will be here for generations to come!”

“The Sunsphere plays a pivotal role in how we tell the story of visitation to Knox County,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. “Visit Knoxville is an incredible partner, and we appreciate the work they’ve done to enhance this symbolic structure to continue to welcome visitors from around the world.”

The Welcome Center’s new entrance canopy is topped with a solar array facing the Knoxville Convention Center on the east side of the Sunsphere. This establishes a formal entry to the attraction, while the solar array is a nod to the theme of the 1982 World’s Fair: “Energy Turns the World.” The solar component of this project was made possible with partnership from Chroma Energy Group. The interior of the Welcome Center features a panorama of windows facing west, overlooking World’s Fair Park. The interior also includes a unique skylight feature, where visitors will be able to look up directly to view the outline of the sphere.

“As Knoxville continues to position itself as a clean energy hub for businesses and residents, Chroma is honored to take part in this pivotal project for downtown Knoxville,” said Ed Rottmann, CEO of Chroma Energy Group. “Incorporating solar into the World’s Fair Park and the Welcome Center will educate visitors on the benefits of carbon-free electricity and how it will enable our community for generations to come.”

The previous ticketing process allowed online ticket purchasing utilizing a QR code, where guests were required to meet at the base level of the Sunsphere (World’s Fair Park level) at their appointed time slot in order to go up to the 4th Floor Observation Deck. The new Welcome Center allows walk-up ticket purchases, as well as a climate-controlled waiting space for guests where they can relax and shop before or after they visit the Observation Deck. Guests to the 4th Floor Observation Deck will now enter the Sunsphere from the third-floor level Welcome Center. Tickets to the Sunsphere will be $10 per person, and $5 per child (12 and under), $1 off for veterans with ID. Group rates (minimum 40 attendees) are available for private tours and field trips, which can be arranged by calling 865.314.0660. The increase in ticket price continues to support the Sunsphere Fund. “Free Days” for Knox County residents will occur regularly throughout the year, those dates will be shared with the public at sunspheretickets.com.

Phase I and II of the Sunsphere renovations are utilizations of the Sunsphere Fund. Visit Knoxville created the Sunsphere Fund with support from Knox County and the City of Knoxville in 2019 to preserve and maintain this historic structure. The goal is to enhance the structure for the enjoyment of groups and individuals for generations to come. The fund is operated and overseen by Visit Knoxville. The Sunsphere is owned by the City of Knoxville and promoted like other attractions by Visit Knoxville.

Other key improvements included a new roof on the third-floor level. The third-floor level received a paint treatment on the exterior brick. There are six sides to this level, and each facet was painted a different color, mimicking the colors of a Rubik’s Cube. (The Rubik's Cube is a 3-D combination puzzle invented in 1974 by Hungarian Ernő Rubik. The world’s largest Rubik’s Cube was a gift from Hungary during the 1982 World’s Fair and resides inside the Knoxville Convention Center.) The colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and the Welcome Center is white.

Visit Knoxville participated in the conceptual process with the East Tennessee Community Design Center (ETCDC). Throughout this partnership, the vision was vetted, and organizations were connected to develop the planning for both phases of this project. McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects (MHM) is serving as architect in partnership with Haines Structural Group and Engineering Services Group, Inc. for engineering.  The Christman Company is serving as construction manager for the buildout of the Sunsphere Welcome Center. Both organizations were involved in the original creation of the Sunsphere.

"MHM is proud to work with Visit Knoxville to continue the preservation and legacy of one of Knoxville's most iconic symbols,” said Nathan Honeycutt, Principal at MHM. “The design of the new Sunsphere Welcome Center will enhance the visitor experience with modern elements while drawing inspiration from the history of the 1982 World’s Fair. MHM is committed to ensuring this landmark remains a vibrant part of the city’s skyline for generations to come.”

"At The Christman Company, we proudly call Knoxville our home and are excited to seize opportunities that enrich our community's experience,” said Jeff Arlington, Vice President of Operations for The Christman Company. “We are honored to have spearheaded the construction of the original Sunsphere in 1982 and are equally proud to now have led the development of the new visitor center. We hope the new visitor center fosters connection and enjoyment for all who visit."

Follow the Sunsphere on Facebook and Instagram. Purchase tickets at sunspheretickets.com.

For Media: Please access this link with photos (credit Steven Bearden Photography) and video (credit Visit Knoxville).

ABOUT VISIT KNOXVILLE
Visit Knoxville (Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau) is the official CVB for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Visit Knoxville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private company that works together with the community, business leaders and local and state government to further develop Knoxville as a premier leisure, meetings and travel destination. Tourism is the second highest grossing industry in the state of Tennessee. Knoxville/Knox County annually produces over $1 billion in travel spending. For more information, visit visitknoxville.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Kristen Combs
Director of Communications
Visit Knoxville
865.306.4341
kcombs@knoxville.org