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The identifying landmark of when Knoxville, TN, hosted the World’s Fair is being painted to its original color.
The Sunsphere base will be painted blue, as it was during the 1982 World’s fair, in Phase I of a plan to update and enhance the locally iconic structure. A new Sunsphere Visitors Center will be part of Phase II improvements.
The Sunsphere has since been painted green and Visit Knoxville, in partnership with the City of Knoxville, the Public Building Authority, and Knox County, will be managing the painting of the structure’s base to the original PANTONE® color Classic Blue 19-4052 TCX. When built, the Sunsphere aligned with the theme of “Energy Turns the World” and the blue base was to blend with the color of the sky. The golden orb represented the energy of the sun and will remain unchanged.
“It is very rewarding to see the collaborative work put into these renovation plans,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “We cannot wait to share the completed project with the community and visitors in future years.”
“The Sunsphere is an iconic symbol of our city, and these renovations will have a significant impact,” said City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon. “This project will help us showcase our past while also introducing visitors to the vibrant, welcoming city we are today! We are proud of the partnerships that are helping bring this vision to life and I look forward to the Sunsphere, once again, serving as a gateway to everything downtown has to offer.”
CertaPro Painters plan to start the painting the first of October with a goal to complete Phase I of this project by the end of the year. This will be a very visual transformation, with only minor inconveniences expected throughout the process that will be communicated to the public as they arise. Access to the 4th Floor Observation Deck and other private-use floors within the Sunsphere should not be heavily impacted.
Phase II will commence in 2024. This phase will encompass the construction of a new Visitors Center at the third level of the Sunsphere. This enclosed area will enhance the visitor experience, and will include an expanded retail space, additional brochures and visitor information, and provide a clear view of World’s Fair Park. Phase II is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.
“The design for the Sunsphere Visitors Center will engage with the original structure in a modern way,” said Nathan Honeycutt, Principal at McCarty Holsaple McCarty. “This collaboration highlights Knoxville’s spirit to preserve, protect, and enhance one of our most cherished representations of Knoxville.”
“We are honored to be involved in these developments 40 plus years on,” said Marty Gibbs, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Knoxville Operations of The Christman Company. “The Christman Company built the Sunsphere for the 1982 World’s Fair, and we’re pleased to be a part of the present-day renovations.”
“The updates to the Sunsphere will result in a better visitor experience as well as a more energy efficient facility,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. “That’s a win for everyone.”
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