Arts and nightlife in a historic slice of Knoxville
In the late 1800s, Knoxville’s historic Old City was a meatpacking district, saloon hub, and vaudeville district. It was also home to European immigrants and formerly enslaved communities. Today, this walkable neighborhood is still a melting pot of entertainment and diverse residents, though industrial brick buildings now house luxury condos, art galleries, restaurants and bars. Old City is within walking distance of The University of Tennessee. Home of the Vols, UT has collectively won 24 team national championships for football, women's basketball, track and field and swimming and diving. The school enrolls more than 35,000 students, many of whom spend nights in Old City.
On a night out in downtown Old City, head to Boyd's Jig and Reel for their happy hour specials.
Live music and whisky at Boyd's Jig and Reel
Old City is still a nightlife destination, hosting more than 20 bars and nightclubs and two distilleries. At Hanna’s Café, locals dance every Friday and Saturday to a nostalgic playlist of music from the 90s and early 2000s. Pour Taproom has self-serve taps, board games and trivia nights on Tuesdays. One of the most beloved local institutions is Boyd’s Jig and Reel, a Scottish-style pub with nightly musical events and jam sessions. Scottish, Irish and Appalachian-style folk musicians gather to play together and sip whisky — the bar has more than 1,000 kinds.
Local businesses include Two Bikes, a nonprofit bike shop. “We act as a community space for the cycling scene, we organize a lot of group rides and have free work benches, because not everybody can afford the tools to fix their bike,” says Matthew Zingg, operations director of Two Bikes. The organization also donates one bike into the community for each bike they sell. “We end up donating about 200 to 300 bikes per year.” Addison’s Bookstore is another neighborhood shop, which has a tea bar and ample seating for curling up with a new or used title. Starting in April of each year, Old City Market hosts vendors selling handmade and locally sourced goods on West Jackson Avenue.
Red Panda Grocery is the closest shop for essentials. The New York-style bodega is well known for its menu of hot dogs and sandwiches, including the Chopped Cheese, a hoagie stuffed with ground beef, veggies and American cheese.
Galleries, theatres and spots to watch the Vols
From stage plays to football games, there's plenty to do in and around the Old City — and more on the way. The Emporium Center has five public art galleries and several studio spaces, and the Old City Performing Arts Center is a nonprofit playhouse run by River and Rail Theatre Company. Old City galleries participate in First Friday ArtWalk, a monthly event where galleries, studios and local businesses with pop-up exhibits open their doors to art lovers.
The neighborhood’s summertime Rhinestone Fest draws people from across the city. Festival goers wear blonde wigs and shiny studded outfits to pay homage to Tennessee’s own Dolly Parton. The event includes live music acts, food and drinks, art exhibits and separate Dolly Parton costume contests for pets, kids and adults.
On University of Tennessee (UT) game days, Old City is cloaked in UT orange and white as fans cheer on the Volunteers — or Vols for short. Merchants of Beer features large TVs and 50 beers on tap and is a favorite gathering place for Vols fans. A multiuse stadium is in the works just east of Old City. Starting in 2025, the stadium will become the new home of the Tennessee Smokies, a minor league baseball team, and host more than 200 events annually, from soccer games to concerts and festivals.
Luxury condos in renovated industrial buildings
Buyers will find condos transformed from brick warehouses built in the early 1900s. The Sterchi Lofts is a neighborhood landmark. The tall condo complex is housed in the former headquarters for Sterchi Brothers Furniture — once the world’s largest furnishings chain. Condo units typically incorporate brick walls and other historic character details, though buyers can expect renovated interiors with up-to-date appliances. Prices typically range between $340,000 and $750,000.
Old City has a 10 out of 10 crime score on the CAP Index, well above the national average of 4. The neighborhood scores higher for property crimes than violent crimes. Local residents and business owners discuss safety and other concerns at meetings of The Old City Association.
Walkability and access to I-40, I-275
Old City’s sidewalks and high density of businesses contribute to the neighborhood’s Walk Score of 89 out of 100. People here also bicycle to get around. “We’re close to the university so that cooks up a good commuter cycling culture,” Zingg says. “Now that folks are coming back to the city from the suburbs, they need a cheaper, more reliable way to get to work.” The Knoxville Area Transit bus system has stops near Hanna's Cafe and Merchants of Beer. Drivers can find some on-street parking for free or choose a paid parking lot. Interstate 40 and I-275 provide access to the greater Knoxville region and to Nashville.
Pups play at Petsafe Downtown Dog Park
Local green spaces include Petsafe Downtown Dog Park, a one-acre play area with exercise stations, water fountains and separate off-leash spaces for small and large dogs. Residents can also stroll through Cradle of Country Music Park, an urban spot of green with statues and plaques paying tribute to the area’s musical history.
Decades ago, Knoxville opened itself up to the world by hosting the 1982 World’s Fair. The former fairgrounds sit less than a mile from Old City, and host seasonal splash pads, performance spaces and the Sunsphere observation tower still enjoyed today. Other nearby parks include Charles Krutch Park, next to Market Square, and Cal Johnson Park, named after Caldonia "Cal" Fackler Johnson. Born into slavery, Johnson became one of the wealthiest Black businessmen in the state of Tennessee.
PetSafe Downtown Dog Park sits on the edge of downtown Knoxville and the Old City.
World's Fair Park has signage and directions posted around the area.
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University of Tennessee within walking distance
Younger students attend Sequoyah Elementary, which has an A-minus from Niche, or Green Magnet Academy, which has specialty programs in math and science and a C-plus rating. Vine Middle Magnet School and Austin-East Magnet High School both specialize in the performing arts and get a C-plus from Niche.
Green Magnet Academy received a grade of C+ from Niche.
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One of the best values downtown! Welcome to urban living at its finest in this industrial style minimalistic 2-bedroom, 1-bath condo located in the heart of Downtown Knoxville. Nestled in the historic Sterchi Lofts, this home puts you within walking distance of the Tennessee Theatre, Market Square, the Old City, and the exciting new Smokies baseball stadium. You're also just minutes from the
Experience modern urban living in this beautifully updated 1-bedroom, 1-bath condo at Sterchi Lofts. Situated on the 7th floor, this bright, airy unit offers a Southern exposure looking down the center of the city. Watch parades, Christmas lights, and downtown festivals like the Rossini Festival right from your living room. Enjoy your morning coffee looking out at the Smokies in the horizon.
Elevate your lifestyle and discover the perfect blend of modern luxury and historic charm in this stunning condo nestled in the heart of downtown. Experience urban living at its finest with easy 3 to 5 minute walking access to shopping, gourmet dining, and a short 10 minute walk to the new Covenant Health Park! This unit boasts hardwood floors throughout, large windows with ample natural light,
Don't miss out on this adorable one bedroom home. This spacious one bedroom apartment features a large living area and closet space. With a private entrance to the apartment, you'll have easy access to the beautiful courtyard tucked away in the vibrant Old City Knoxville! Our homes feature laundry in the unit, a membership to Knoxville's premier boutique gym, the Old City Athletic Club, and we
If you love being downtown, then Sterchi Lofts is for you! This is the ultimate downtown Knoxville location. Nestled between the vibrant Old City and bustling Market Square, this prime spot puts you just steps away from incredible dining, entertainment, shopping, and cultural experiences. Unit 501 offers a blend of industrial charm and modern design. This unit features a layout with clearly
Find your home in Knoxville’s modern mid-rise community. Stockyard Lofts is ideally situated in Knoxville’s vibrant Old City with abundant dining, entertainment, and cultural offerings. With well-designed living, large private balconies, and unrivaled amenities, you’ll be at the “center of it all” at Stockyard Lofts in downtown Knoxville.Stockyard Lofts were designed by one of the most
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
823
Median Age
40
Population Density
42 ppl/acre
Population under 18
10.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$36,979
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$69,324
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95%
College Graduates
61.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
52''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
72/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
89/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
59/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
