What to do with 160,000 sq. feet? Offices
Owners of property known as “Outlet Mall,” 11221 Outlet Drive, which most recently housed the At Home store, now are looking at giving the structure a facelift so they can redevelop the site for office space.
Designers from R2R Studio and James H. Nixon with Turley & Co. Real Estate Investments recently presented plans to make
exterior improvements to the site to Farragut Municipal Planning Commission for feedback on their initial drawings.
The At Home store moved to 11501 Parkside Drive in Turkey Creek last summer. The “Outlet Mall” building is about 160,000 square feet.
“We’re looking at redeveloping it,” said Nixon, who was representing property owners John Turley, David Fiser and Charley Atchley. “We are entertaining some clients now.”
“We’re proposing to make improvements to the front exterior façade to appeal to more to an office-type use,” Stefanie Genua of R2R Studio said. “The modifications include taking off the existing metal canopy that’s surrounding that front façade (that is) up against the building.
“... There are two free-standing wings on either side that we will be leaving the canopy, removing a portion of the front, so there is opportunity for some outdoor covered areas, like for break areas,” she added.
And along with adding greenery, Genua said the owners would like to add trees to soften the look of the building.
“And, make it more walkable,” Mayor Ron Williams said.
“... If this is going to be an office, it’s a nice amenity to have,” Commissioner/Vice Mayor Louise Povlin said.
“I like the fact that you’ve got barriers there where you’ve got what looks like a guardrail to keep cars from possibly running into the building,” Williams said.
“It is an expansive building, and giving it some articulation to the frontage helps to break it up into the perception of a smaller space,” Community Development director Mark Shipley said.
Commissioner Jon Greene suggested adding more landscaping in the parking lot.
“One thing we don’t like is a sea of asphalt,” he added. “So anything we can do to add some trees and greenery along the dividers would help.”
“Outside of a major remodeling, I think this is the way to go,” Commissioner Ed St. Clair said. “I’m encouraged by the concept.”
In other business, the Commission approved a site plan to add a 5,000-square-foot heart catherization lab and a covered connecting walkway from Physicians Plaza medical building to Turkey Creek Medical Center at 10820 Parkside Drive.
