The Daylight Building

Own a piece of Knoxville’s History.

Built in 1927 and renovated by Dewhirst Properties in 2009, the Daylight Building was home to a handful of notable Knoxville businesses throughout the 20th Century and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The original office spaces have been converted to condominiums with unique features including skylights and private garden/patio access—all within walking distance to the restaurants, theaters and gathering places of Knoxville’s vibrant downtown.

Select units in the Daylight Building are now available for purchase with prices starting under $100,000.

For pricing and property tours, contact:

Lori M. Wood, Affiliate Broker
Ball Realty & Auction, Inc.
865-207-1931 (cell) / 423-626-9393 (office)
lwood482@gmail.com

Features & Amenities

Building Features

• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Original architectural and interior details
• Secure access
• Off-street private parking available
• Elevator
• Retail & restaurants in building
• Courtyard access for garden units
• Large windows & ample natural light
• Hardwood floors
• Exposed brick
• Stainless steel appliances
• Laundry in unit
• City views
• Central downtown location
• One block from Market Square
• Two blocks from Historic Gay Street
• Units starting at $100,000

Downtown Knoxville

• Market Square Farmers’ Market
• Free public parking on nights & weekends
• Close to the University of Tennessee Campus
• Abundant retail, restaurants & entertainment
• Seasonal events and festivals
• Nearby access to the Urban Wilderness
• Easy interstate access
• Downtown pharmacy & walk-in clinic

See it all yourself. Schedule a tour today.

Floor Plans

Select a level to view and download floor plans.

• First Floor
• Second Floor
• Garden Level

Images

About The Daylight Building

The Daylight Building was built in 1927 by Benjamin Howard Sprankle, an influential real estate developer in Knoxville. The Art Deco building joined a two block area on Union Avenue that was Sprankle’s general headquarters for over 50 years. Initially, the Daylight Building housed retail space on the ground floor and office space on the second floor, including the studio of prominent local photographer Robin Thompson.

By 1934, the Daylight Building was primarily occupied by the Tennessee Valley Authority’s engineering, soil conversion, and training staffs, as well as some agency internal services. From the Daylight Building came the oversight and design of many of the dams and power plants constructed by TVA, as well as their land reclamation efforts, all of which changed the face of the Tennessee Valley.

As the number of its employees expanded, TVA eventually occupied space in other Sprankle-developed buildings on Union Avenue, many of which were vacated with the completion of the TVA leased towers on Wall Avenue north of Market Square in 1976. However, TVA continued to use office space in the Daylight Building into the 1980s.

TVA had finally consolidated its offices in the two towers by the mid-1990s, and the Daylight Building remained largely vacant from that time until 2009 when the building was purchased and redeveloped by Dewhirst Properties. At that time, the building retained much of the interior configuration and materials that were associated with TVA’s tenure. Dewhirst Properties made an extra effort to preserve the original materials and layout while renovating the building.

The copper storefront was uncovered and restored and is now a recognizable and defining characteristic of the building. The retail space on the ground level was restored and is home to some of Knoxville’s most well-known shops and small businesses. The office space on the first floor, second floor and garden levels was converted into unique, light-filled residential units indicative of the building’s name. The units feature the original hardwood floors, wood trim and large metal windows. The common areas also retain the original trim work as well as terrazzo floors and a large wooden staircase lined with marble chair rail and brass handrails.