The Finished Product: Top Floor of the Arnstein Building Inside and Out

Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Some of you may remember a previous post in which I was graciously allowed to view some of the apartments inside the Arnstein Building as they were under construction. It’s a fascinating project – Knoxville’s first “skyscraper” at a full seven stories – as well as the intrigue of Urban Outfitters’ fitful romance with our city. I noted then that I’m asked about that building as often as any downtown. It was a great behind-the-scenes sort of tour.

Kitchen, Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Kitchen, Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Kitchen, Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Kitchen, Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Now that a few months have passed, what’s happened? Urban Outfitters finally “put a ring on it” and moved in. BarberMcMurry architects have assumed their awesome space. And the units above have now been leased. Imagine my delight when I learned that my friends Jerry and Millie (who you first met a year and six days ago here) had leased the top floor unit overlooking Market Square. How cool would that be? They invited me to find out.

Eastern View from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Eastern View from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Living Space, Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Living Space, Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

I arrived on a recent Tuesday night to take in the lovely Jazz on the Square from seven stories above. I have to say Jazz in the Sky may be even better. While we enjoyed the luxury of being in their apartment with wine and hor d’oeuvres, the open windows served up a spectacular breeze and heavenly jazz at just the right volume. We could hear every note, but we could comfortably converse. I’m not sure there is a better spot to enjoy this great event. Friends Katie and Johnathan joined us for a great evening. Long-term readers of the blog first met Katie two years ago and Johnathan a year ago this month.

Northern View from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Northern View from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Market Square at Dusk from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Market Square at Dusk from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

The apartment features twelve-foot ceilings (I’m guessing) and a beautiful kitchen area complete with elegant appliances, granite counter tops and a granite island. Cool, sort of semi-industrial lighting hangs over the island somehow spanning the gap between industrial and elegant. While the unit has the exposed pipes you expect in similar redevelopments, with the ceilings so high, the industrial component remains in soft focus.

Bedroom, Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Bedroom, Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

View from the bedroom, Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

View from the bedroom, Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

The unit is a two bedroom, with one interior bedroom featuring beautiful French doors and the other, master bedroom washed in light from two very large windows. A nice walk-in closet leads to a very nice bathroom. The apartment is compact, but the closet with its high ceilings and spacious cabinets offers ample storage. The living area is open and feels much bigger than its square-footage might indicate.

Jazz on the Square after dark, viewed from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Jazz on the Square after dark, viewed from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Walkin Closet into the bath, Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Walkin Closet into the bath, Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

But it’s the views that make the place sparkle. To the east is Krutch Park. Jerry explained that lower floors actually get a better view of the park because this time of year the canopy of trees obscures a view of the ground from their elevation, while lower floors can look below it. I thought the view of the treetops felt magical. How often do most of us see trees from that perspective? The views of the Holston and other buildings in that direction are also lovely.

View of Union Avenue from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

View of Union Avenue from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Preservation Pub Rooftop Patio viewed from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Preservation Pub Rooftop Patio viewed from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Of course, it’s the view of Market Square that sets this unit apart. The western side of the square is completely exposed from this perspective while the Bill Lyons Stage at Market Square is incredibly clear. The rooftop patios on the eastern side of the square are also easily viewed. I love the rooftop at Preservation Pub and it looks as pretty as ever from that perspective.

Sunset view from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Sunset view from the Arnstein Building, Seventh Floor, Knoxville, June 2013

Meanwhile, that night, the sun set just to the west of the TVA towers while the lighting on the stage below illuminated it with a warm glow as night gathered. We left the lights in the apartment off until nearly full dark. The sun lingered on the top of the building as it faded from neighbors land-bound below. The jazz drifted in with the breeze and urban living seemed the only logical option.

Comments

  1. I used to work on the 7th floor of the Arnstein. I sure do miss those views! It is one of my favorite buildings downtown. Thanks for the photos and update!

  2. Big thank you to Urban Guy and the renters for letting us see inside. (Urban Guy and the Renters would be a good name for a band).

  3. Greg Shanks says:

    Wait until the goofball with the saxophone comes back and squawks all weekend long non-stop. He knows no songs and just makes noises. Seems really cute for the first 10 minutes but wait till you listen to it for 8 hours straight. Maybe if some residents complain, the city will do something. Obviously those of us that merely work downtown 12 hours a day are ignored.

    • KnoxvilleUrbanGuy says:

      I guess some of that comes down to taste. I like that guy, but have deep personal issues with Elvis and his karaoke machine. You do make a good point, though, any time you live (or work) in an urban environment, no matter where you land you will have things you love about your location and other things, not so much. I know some people would hate to live on Market Square while others would die to live there. No urban situation is idyllic all the time. In what way do yo think downtown workers are ignored?

  4. I wish I could have that apartment as my own. Thanks for posting the photos! It’s such a lovely space with an amazing location.

  5. There you go again creating another super interesting vignette of downtown. Please keep it up. t

  6. Wow! Did you happen to take the stairwell? Does it still look retro white and red with the old mail chute still visable?

    • KnoxvilleUrbanGuy says:

      We took the elevator, but I love the stairwell and took photographs of it the last time I was in the building (search for “Arnstein Building” to the right. It was last February, I think.

  7. tthurman says:

    That has to be the primo spot in downtown! What a nice job with the renovations too.

Leave a Reply to tthurman Cancel reply

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.