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Photo: Tennessee Unveils Possible Entertainment District Around CFB's Neyland Stadium

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVJuly 25, 2024

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 04: Tennessee Volunteers Pride of the Southland Band plays the National Anthem before the college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Connecticut Huskies on November 4, 2023, at Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The University of Tennessee unveiled the renderings for its plans to radically transform the area around legendary Neyland Stadium.

The school said Wednesday it identified the group to lead the endeavor, 865 Neyland Project Team. Under the current proposal, the Neyland Entertainment District will consist of mixed-use retail and residential units, including a hotel with around 240 rooms and 60 luxury condos.

Tennessee Athletics @Vol_Sports

Proposed components include:<br><br>• 175k sq ft entertainment district, featuring shops, restaurants and social areas<br><br>• Stadium-adjacent condotel includes a full-service hotel, rooftop restaurant, pool, conference center + other amenities <a href="https://t.co/ksi3vhv9zf">https://t.co/ksi3vhv9zf</a> <a href="https://t.co/kHfnlRS6cT">pic.twitter.com/kHfnlRS6cT</a>

"We are absolutely thrilled to witness our vision for this groundbreaking project taking tangible shape," athletic director Danny White said. "The development team understood our vision and designed a legacy asset that will significantly impact our campus and overall community. We eagerly anticipate the upcoming phases of this historic endeavor, which is set to influence our campus and the city of Knoxville deeply."

Neyland Stadium is one of the most iconic venues in college football. Its signature feature is its placement along the Tennessee River, which allows fans to dock their boats next to the stadium on game days.

Tennessee clearly envisions Neyland Stadium being a much larger hub within Knoxville, and building an entertainment district would allow the location to more frequently draw in patrons year-round rather than just during football season.

The Neyland Entertainment District is still pending approval from the Tennessee State Building Commission. The university said it will be able to provide more specifics on the construction schedule and design details once it receives the green light.