KNOXVILLE, TN (January 5, 2026) – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Visit Knoxville announces today that the Visitors Center at 301 S. Gay Street will be closed for a first-floor remodel to enhance the visitor experience. Construction will begin this week and is projected to last through May.
The Visitors Center closure impacts the Visit Knoxville Gift Shop and the ability to get information in-person from the Visit Knoxville team. Visitors and shoppers are encouraged to visit the Sunsphere Welcome Center for in-person information, visitknoxville.com for up-to-date digital information, as well as the online Gift Shop for purchases. The online Gift Shop has a “local pickup” option upon checkout, and all pickups will be available at the Sunsphere Welcome Center. The closure also impacts radio station WDVX (89.9FM) and their live broadcasts including the Blue Plate Special and First Friday Live. Listeners are encouraged to visit wdvx.com for more information on live programming.
McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects, Inc. (MHM) is the architect for this project, and Holston Construction Services will be doing the renovation. The plans include casual seating arrangements for visitors to engage with Visit Knoxville staff and visitor materials, a new meeting space that will allow for private and public use, and an updated stage area and retail space. Visit Knoxville is looking forward to continuing to promote the local and regional Maker community with current and new artist partnerships in the refreshed Gift Shop. This remodel will also include a new mural throughout the lobby space which will be designed and installed by a local artist.
The construction is projected to last until mid or late May. Visit Knoxville hopes to have a grand reopening celebration at that time. Details to follow late spring.
“The last time the Visitors Center was remodeled was 2017, so quite some time ago, and we are looking forward to a refreshed, more current look,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “We are so excited to bring this vision to life, giving the perfect first impression of our destination for visitors.”
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, go to 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
