In the fall of 2017, Oliver Smith Realty and Auction Company helped facilitate a deal that put the iconic Kern’s Bakery Building just over the Henley street bridge in South Knoxville in the hands of new owners.

It’s probably the most impactful retail site closest to downtown. The bridge has always, during my lifetime been this geographic boundary. And not until, in essence, the last three years have people, young people, started ot migrate over the bridge.

-Oliver Smith IV

With Greystone Partners, Asheville North Carolina the Smith team put together a deal worth 3.1 million. The plans for redevelopment will include a 70,000 square food building which will retain it’s original design such as brick floors and aged beams. The new complex will include a restaurant and entertainment centers with four or five vendors, a brewery and entertainment options.

The 15 acre lot holds the potential for future developments, under consideration are a free standing restaurant or multi-family apartments.

“We want people to come here and actually stay for a while,” Smith said. “It’s not just like pop into a restaurant then leave. We want them to meander, enjoy the brewery, get something to eat, maybe enjoy some music. We want to extend their time of occupancy on the property so it becomes a shop and stay type of situation.” – Oliver Smith IV

Greystone Partners was looking for an original project, The Kern’s facility will allow them to pay homage to the history of Knoxville while creating a new space that brings residents together.

“Kern’s Bakery, from its outset, has been a provider of food in its most basic form, in bread, for the region and across the country,” Van Etten said. “So we’re taking that to the next level so folks in walking and biking distance can get (a number of) different restaurants and breweries and an entertainment space.” – Shannon Van Etten, Greystone Partners.

Construction on the new facility will begin soon and should be completed by the end of 2018. We are excited to have been part of this historic renovation project and the future development of South Knoxville.

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