There are also two water play fountains, a magnet for kids in warm weather. Knoxville Sunsphere. Accessed June 14, 2015. http://www.sunsphere.info/. Press Esc to cancel. Jones, Robbie D., Dwight and Kate Wade House: New York Worlds Fair House, Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee. The Sunsphere was created as the theme structure for the 1982 World's Fair. [16][needs update]. Your admission price goes towards The Sunsphere Fund. Tours are taken up every half hour, on the half hour. Tennessee Historical Society, 20022016. While not physically incorporated into the final design, the Convention Center was designed with an open curve along its north edge to allow access to the Sunsphere. How to Reach Sunsphere Bus: Knoxville station Trolley Bus/ Tram: KAT Trolley Bus Stop By Taxi By Bicycle The Sunsphere is a noteworthy work of structural engineering. From May 1 through October 31, 1982, an average of 60,000 daily visitors (10.8 million total) toured the Sunsphere. Please check our Private Tourpage for more information or to send in a request. This is why the top half of the sphere is not as reflective. Legend has it Bebb and Denton worked at opposite ends of a conference room table immediately after the meeting. Level 6 served as an open space leased out for functions. The Visit Knoxville website has up-to-date information about the Sunsphere, including hours of operation. For the hypothetical sphere built around a star, see. The Sun of the Sunsphere spans 75 feet in diameter, and is paneled in reflexive glass panes that are layered with gold dust. Officially called the Knoxville International Energy Exposition, the theme of the 1982 Knoxville Worlds Fair was Energy Turns the World and the Sunsphere represented A Monument to the Sun, Source of All Energy.. 810 Clinch Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States, McClung Museum Of Natural History And Culture, April through October: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm, November through March: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm. On Sunday, May 15, 2000, nuclear weapons protesters scaled the tower and hung a large banner that said "Stop the Bombs." [4], In its original design, the sphere portion was to have had a diameter of 86.5 feet (26.4m) to represent symbolically the 865,000-mile (1,392,000km) diameter sun. [7] On Sunday, May 14, 2000, nuclear weapons protesters scaled the tower and hung a large banner that said "Stop the Bombs." Its unexpected. This freely available resource empowers the public with authoritative knowledge that deepens their understanding and appreciation of the built environment. In 2011, a drawing of the Sunsphere alongside images of iconic structures from Tennessee's three other large cities (the Memphis Pyramid, Nashville's AT&T Building, and the Tennessee Aquarium of Chattanooga) was incorporated into the standard design of Tennessee's state-issued driver's licenses. 2023 www.knoxnews.com. Not to mention the elevator is a bit creaky. Originally designed as 86.5 feet around to proportionately match the 865,000-mile diameter of the sun, the size was reduced to roughly 74feet around. See. Join me as I travel the country and explore the works of my profession. The inspiration for the towers architectural design came from the theme of the 1982 Worlds Fair: Energy Turns the World. However, if you choose to endure it, the view is nice. Built for the 1982 Worlds Fair, the Sunsphere is a one-of-a-kind structure. Admission to the observation deck is $5 per adult, and free for children 12 and under. Although the Sunsphere is the most recognized feature of the Knoxville cityscape, it has remained vacant or underutilized for most of its post-fair life. Worlds Fair Park: The Sunsphere. Accessed June 14, 2015. http://www.worldsfairpark.org/worlds-fair-sunsphere.html. WORLD'S FAIR DEBATE:What was the single biggestimpact on Knoxville? 213. Andrew Farkas 4.67 6 ratings3 reviews The Sunsphere is a 266-foot-tall green truss structure topped by a gold glass sphere that was built as the symbol of the 1982 World's Fair (also known as the Knoxville International Energy Exposition). Call the Sunsphere at: (865) 314-0660. From its inception, the structure built for the 1982 World's Fairwas always round. The Sunsphere is a 266-foot-tall High-Tech observation tower that served as the centerpiece of the 1982 Worlds Fair held in downtown Knoxville. The deck was closed and plans to reopen it were not certain. A pair of failed proposals was presented to the . In March 1991, officials from the Pensacola Tornados of the Continental Basketball Association were looking at Knoxville for possible location and said of the Sunsphere as potential office space, "What better place for basketball offices than a giant gold basketball in the sky.". Ive got my dog with me, can I bring them up? Knoxvilles Sunsphere followed the tradition of iconic Worlds Fair observation towers, including the 1889 Eiffel Tower in Paris, 1962 Space Needle in Seattle, and the 1968 HemisFair Tower in San Antonio. After years of little to no use, the Observation Deck was re-opened to the public as of Tuesday, February 22, 2022, with a new look and feel thanks to the efforts of Visit Knoxville, in partnership with the City of Knoxville and the Public Building Authority, to renovate the information features. No tours can be booked during this time. The Sunsphere is a 266-foot-tall green truss structure topped by a gold glass sphere that was built as the symbol of the 1982 World's Fair (also known as the Knoxville International Energy Exposition). Kids Encyclopedia Facts For the hypothetical sphere built around a star, see Dyson sphere. Knowles, Susan W. Hubert Bebb. In It eventually closed, however, and real estate investor Tony Capiello opened Icon Ultra Lounge in its place, investing $450,000. Type above and press Enter to search. The Sun-sphere Tower was built in 1982 for the World Fair which played an important role in balancing the economy of Knoxville. Upvote 14 Downvote. COOL STUFF:From giant toys to chili, these Knoxville staples exist thanks to the 1982 World's Fair. Votes. WORLD'S FAIR BEER:We taste1982 World's Fair Beer so you don't have to, WORLD'S FAIR FACTS:What made the 1982 World's Fair special? "The curve of its golden sphere can be see rising over the buildings surrounding it from almost any approach to the city. Its the citys most prominent landmark and one of Americas most unique observation towers. Smithsonian Channel June 23, 2011. Community Tectonics later found out the Sunsphere's permanent, multistory, fully occupied spherical designwas one of a kind. No purchase necessary. Look at the photo below and notice that the tower is made of horizontal members (beams), vertical members (columns), and diagonal members, forming a pattern of triangles. [12] At the time of its reopening, Level 5 became a cafe with concession and an early evening drinks service. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. The Sunsphere remains standing directly across a man-made pond from the Tennessee Amphitheater, the only other structure remaining from the 1982 World's Fair. Finally, after extensive renovation, the Observation Deck reopened to the public on May 5, 2014. [7] It featured red hair and a body shaped like the Sunsphere. The structures unique shape and design has attracted a lot of visitors, including Bart Simpson. It weighs 600 short tons (540t) and features six double steel truss columns in supporting the seven-story sphere. Winner will be selected at random on 08/01/2023. the 266-foot-tall Sunsphere offers a great view of the city from its observation deck on . "Gaze on it,but don't bother to go up in it," the magazine wrote. Knoxville's golden globe in the sky easily could have been a silver sphere on a slab. The observation deck can hold 86 people. A 1982 Worlds Fair timeline, gallery, memorabilia and gift shop await visitors. Do not go if you have vertigo as this sphere pretty much made out of glass. Fancy a good night's sleep after a tiring day? You cant miss the Sunsphere if youre visiting Knoxville. "We were that for a long time longer than we wanted to be," Shell said. What's more, it offers a 360-degree view of the original 1982 World's Fair site (now World's Fair Park), downtown Knoxville, the Tennessee River, the University of Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Beyond the corona is the solar wind, which is actually an outward flow of coronal gas. From its inception, the structure built for the 1982 World's Fair was always round. Show tickets will be sold individually and start at $10. The equivalent of a 25-story building, the Sunsphere was built near the center of the 67-acre fair site between January 1981 and the spring of 1982. Update as of April 2023: Observation Deck is open. [6], The Sunsphere has been used as a symbol for Knoxville, appearing in postcards and logos. Inside its 75-foot gold-dusted ball, the Observation Deck sat dormant for much of its post-fair life, finally refurbished and reopened in 2014. Know your airline's carry-on luggage size restrictions before you fly. No one was ever arrested for the incident. If you are unable to arrive on a different date or time there will still be NO refund issued. Each of its panes cost roughly $1000 at the time of construction. "All the people say it's got to be high enough to see it. The increased height meant the globe had to be smaller. We suggest the Knoxville Museum of Arts Public Parking Lot or Locust St. Garage. The six-month event brought 11 million visitors from around the world to Tennessee, where countries showed off their latest technological achievements. An associate will arrive to bring you to the observation deck and museum at your reservation time. The 4th Floor Observation Deck offers a breathtaking 360-degree view stretching from downtown to the Great Smoky Mountains including World's Fair Park, the Tennessee River and the University of Tennessee Campus. Between 1993 and 1999, the Sunsphere was featured in part on the logo for the Knoxville Smokies minor league baseball club. Beyond the corona is the solar wind, which is actually an outward flow of coronal gas. [3] The tower's window glass panels are layered in 24-karat gold dust and cut to seven different shapes. The 6th and 8th levels of the Sunsphere house event floors managed by Venue Works. Many bridges use trusses as part of their design. A pair of failed proposals was presented to the World's Fair Park Development Committee on March 31, 1994, that sought to reopen the Sunsphere as a restaurant (similar to Seattle's Space Needle, which features a restaurant at the top of the tower). The Sunsphere remains standing directly across a man-made pond from the Tennessee Amphitheater, the only other structure remaining from the 1982 World's Fair. This post includes a breakdown of the towers structural components. Visited August 2022. The floor offers a 360-degree view stretching from downtown to the Great Smoky Mountains including Worlds Fair Park, the Tennessee River and the University of Tennessee Campus. Return would come from patrons dining at the structure's planned restaurants, which people seemed to enjoy during the World's Fair so much that a Kentucky woman was shuffled out of the bustling Sunsphere on a record-breaking attendance day before she could pay for her meal, according to Knox News archives. The KnoxvilleSunsphere is best described by a picture. The observationDeck schedule is as follows: Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The Sunsphere, in Knoxville, Tennessee, is an 81.07 m high hexagonal steel truss structure, topped with a 23 m gold-colored glass sphere that served as the symbol of the 1982 World's Fair. The Sunsphere closed to the public with the Fair's end and remained vacant or underutilized for most of its post-fair life. [17], The Sunsphere has also been called "The Lord's Golf Tee". It's worth stopping in to take photos, according to visitors. Following the fair, Sevierville architect Marc Cardoso filed a $31 million lawsuit that alleged World's Fair officials stole his copyright for the 500-foot "Tower of Power," a design promoted by the Downtown Knoxville Association in 1977 as the proposed theme structure, according to Knox News archives. #1 inBest Places to Visit in the Carolinas. Published December 23, 2009. http://www.tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=1557. Tickets are $5 for . National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, DC. This is the kind of stuff we can tell now. At the time of its reopening, Level 5 became a cafe with concession and an early evening drinks service. The Sunsphere was highlighted in the seventh season episode of animated TV sitcom The Simpsons titled "Bart on the Road" and was renamed the wig sphere due to its use as a storage facility for wigs. Level 6 served as an open space leased out for functions. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. A March 1996 episode of The Simpsons, "Bart on the Road", features the Sunsphere. But while some early designs towered high above the streets of Knoxville, others appeared to hover near the ground. "Scuzzy.". The tower served as a restaurant and featured food items such as the Sunburger and a rum and fruit juice cocktail called the Sunburst. . About Back to Top of List Sunsphere Hours Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm Saturday: 9am - 5pm Sunday: 12pm - 4pm NOTICE: The Sunsphere Observation Deck is closed 1:30-2:30 for an employee meal break. Soon after the fair was over the Sunsphere closed to the public, and there were no more Sunburgers or Sunburst cocktails. Monday through Friday - 10:00AM-1:30PM & 2:30PM-5:00PM. Many argue its relevancy as a tall structure, because it was built in one of the lowest parts of the city. Even the 12-year-old great-great-grandson of Gustave Eiffel, the designerof the Eiffel Tower in Paris, visited the Sunsphere in 1982. The 2002 AAU Junior Olympics mascot Spherit took its inspiration from the landmark. Designed by the Knoxville-based architectural firm, Community Tectonics, the Sunsphere was created as the theme structure for the 1982 World's Fair. The floors of the building rest upon these beams. Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. A 1982 Worlds Fair timeline, gallery, memorabilia, and gift shop await visitors. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The Sunsphere was built for the 1982 World's Fair and stands 26 stories tall. Arrive at the base of the Sunsphere at the start of your reservation time. Why do I have to pay now? It sits atop a 266 foot tall steel shaft with an information booth inside! The top half of the sphere's outermost pane is tempered and the inside paine is laminated The bottom half of the spehere's outermost pane is laminated and the top half is tempered. We taste1982 World's Fair Beer so you don't have to, What made the 1982 World's Fair special? It's one of the last remaining relics of the 1982 World's Fair and features information and images about the historic event. Muchof the design team's research came from staring at the sky. Electric scooters must be ridden in the streets and are not allowed on sidewalks, lawns, or greenways. [20], For the hypothetical sphere built around a star, see, "Sunsphere shines as the city's architectural icon", "World's Fair: The world came to Knoxville in May 1982", "World's Fair Park main attraction reopened to the public Thursday", "Josh Flory: Office space available in the Sunsphere Knoxville News Sentinel", "Carly Harrington: Sunsphere nightclub 'Icon Ultra Lounge' opens with big city feel", "Sunsphere window shatters in bar accident | News | Downtown - UT News", "Visit Knoxville getting ball rolling on Sunsphere renovations", https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-sunsphere-knoxville-tennessee, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sunsphere&oldid=1159160064, This page was last edited on 8 June 2023, at 16:53. The Knoxville skyline has one distinctive structure: a large, golden globe. The tower has a volume of 203,689 cubic feet (5,767.8m3) and a surface of 16,742 square feet (1,555.4m2). During construction of the Convention Center, the observation deck, which had been briefly reopened by the city (still sporting the original World's Fair-era displays and explanations of the panorama), was closed while the tower was commandeered by the Knoxville Public Building Authority as offices for, quite literally, overseeing the construction of the Convention Center. The Sunsphere is one of only two remaining structures from the 1982 Worlds Fair (the other is an amphitheater across the street), and the views span a full 360-degrees of the original fairgrounds, downtown Knoxville, the Tennessee River, the University of Tennessee, and the Smoky Mountains. [14], In June 2013, a patron accidentally broke an inside window; nobody was hurt. Another low-height design showed a walkway wrapping around the sphere, leading to its entrance. The Historic Architecture of Sevier County, Tennessee. Follow me on Instagram (@bridgetoanywhereblog) and find me on LinkedIn! Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/TN-01-093-0078. [3], The World's Fair site later became a public park, the World's Fair Park, alongside Knoxville's official convention center and adjacent to the University of Tennessee's main campus. Pets are not permitted even if tickets have already been purchased. City of Knoxville. Manufactured in New Jersey, each of the 360 energy-efficient panes cost an average of $1,000 at the time of construction. A 1982 World's Fair timeline, gallery, memorabilia and gift shop await you! The entire Sunsphere structure is estimated to weigh 600 tons. This may be the last one in the United States. They remained on the tower for three days before surrendering to police. [17] Bart and three friends (Nelson, Martin, and Milhouse) travel to Knoxville to visit the World's Fair, only to learn they are over a decade too late. A 1982 World's Fair timeline, gallery, memorabilia and gift shop await you! This structure is the Sunsphere, a 266-foot-tall steel truss structure topped with a 74-foot bronze sphere. However, a few complain that the venue could use some updating and cleaning. But it could have been something else entirely. Visit Knoxville stepped in to make sure the Sunsphere can still be enjoyed by visitors and locals. Failure to arrive on time may forfeit your reservation. These beams are cantilevers because they receive virtually all of their structural support from the tower in the center of the sphere. [5] In the early morning hours on May 12, 1982, a shot was fired from outside the fair site and shattered one of the sphere's windows. There are two 418-step fire stairs and three high-speed elevators contained in the tower. A Sunsphere book produced by Community Tectonics in 1982 states the duo quickly designed the theme structure and drafted a plan,sending a courier to deliver the concept to Cochran's home within hoursjust in time for the following day's fair committee meeting. And, until someone builds another, it remains unique in the world, a modern spherical monument to the sun.". 810 Clinch Ave. (Knoxville International Energy Exposition, 1981), (Knoxville International Energy Exposition, 1982), Buildings of the United States Book Series, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/TN-01-093-0078, http://www.worldsfairpark.org/worlds-fair-sunsphere.html, http://www.tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=1557, http://www.tntrivia.com/misc/sunspherehistory.pdf. American Institute of Architects. When the Sunsphere was first opened to the public during the fair, an elevator trip to the Observation Deck cost you two bucks (today the ride is free), and there was a caf up above offering a Sun-theme menu. Knoxville News-Sentinel, March 22, 2013. The proposal from CEB Enterprises would have opened a casual dining restaurant called World's Fare Restaurant. If SAH Archipedia has been useful to you, please consider supporting it. Though it may look like its missing its outer shell, this skeletal cast-iron tower was built to withstand wind and waves. . The 2002 AAU Junior Olympics mascot Spherit took its inspiration from the landmark. A roadside music shop featuring a confounding series of folk art installations. (Figure 1) It is a hexagonal steel trussstructure 266 feet tall.The top 74 feet are shaped into a glass plate covered sphere. "(Cochran) said several ideas had been proposed, but none appealed to the board," Bebb told Knox News in 1982. [19], The Sunsphere was the subject of a song of the same name by rapper EG Money in 2022. In the 1970s and 1980s, Lindseys firm became a leader in the field of computer-aided design (CAD), and engineers Socrates A. Ioannides and Jack H. Horner used early versions of CAD to design the Sunsphere. In the early morning hours on May 12, 1982, a shot was fired from outside the fair site and shattered one of the sphere's windows. In 2014, the observation deck was further renovated for use as a visitors center with interpretive panels and videos. No matter the public perception, the end result was unlike any other structure the world hadseen. Please note: Please email ehaynie@knoxville.org to have your reservation time switched to a date and time we are open. "We were OK financially at the time, but not enough that we could bankroll a $3 (million) or $4 million building.". The museum is free to visit and showcases the work of local artists. Hidden inside the middle of the sphere is a steel tower, much like the truss tower below it. It is the backdrop for festivals at World's Fair Park and atimeless icon that has attractedcountless visitors to the Scruffy City. ONLY service animals are allowed in the Sunsphere. There is currently NO restaurant located in the Sunsphere. The 4th Floor Observation Deck offers a breathtaking 360-degree view stretching from downtown to the Great Smoky Mountains including Worlds Fair Park, the Tennessee River, and the University of Tennessee Campus. The Sunsphere stood empty or under-utilized for most of its post-fair life, but in 20072008, the City of Knoxville renovated it for use as a public observation deck with special event rental facilities, a cafe, and an upscale lounge. Please plan your reservation time BEFORE going to enjoy the splash pads. Hubert Bebb, the company's founder, had sketched an oil rig for the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago. As a reminder, you can follow the blog on Instagram: @bridgetoanywhereblog. Sunsphere Hours
The world's largest version of this iconic puzzle cube is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Copyright The Public Building Authority of Knox County and Knoxville Tennessee. No one was arrested for the incident. Private Tours are offered ahead of time. Director:
ehaynie@knoxville.org, Assistant Manager:
The Sunsphere is scheduled to open on Feb. 22, after it closed in 2020 due to the pandemic. a transition region (a thin and very irregular layer of the Sun's atmosphere that separates the hot corona from the much cooler chromosphere), and the corona (the Sun's outer atmosphere.). First to Review. It was noted for its unique design in several engineering publications. Offer subject to change without notice. It used to be free. Come with U.S. News on a tour of the InterContinental Boston. That's where the Sunsphere was first presented. Knoxville hosted the Worlds Fair in 1982 with the thematic slogan Energy Turns the World. With the help of local architects, the fair organizers decided to pull our most important energy source out of the sky and into downtown Knoxville. We are located inside Worlds Fair Park. With a choice between Disney World and Knoxville, it's an easy decision. a Transition Region (a thin and very irregular layer of the Sun's atmosphere that separates the hot corona from the much cooler chromosphere), and the Corona (the Sun's outer atmosphere.). Woodward, Martha Rose. The Sunsphere, which is 266 feet tall, presents unique challenges given its shape. She was told to pay for her bill by mail, and that's exactly what she did $3.65 for the foodand a $1 tip for her waitress. "So, the Sunsphere died no more than a week or two after the World's Fair Committee approved it. Coordinates: 35.9617N 83.9232W The Sunsphere located in World's Fair Park in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, is a 266-foot (81 m) high hexagonal steel truss structure, topped with a 75 ft (23 m) gold-colored glass sphere that served as the symbol of the 1982 World's Fair . Products, which vary by the seasons, include eggs, honey, herbs, pasture-raised meat, baked goods, coffee, crafts and much more. April through October: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. November through March: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. the Sunsphere Observation Deck, 4th Level is open to the public. The Sunsphere is located within Worlds Fair Park and DOES NOT offer any on-site parking. City of Knoxville. In the episode, the Sunsphere has become a dilapidated storage warehouse for a wig store called the Wigsphere. The Sunspheres iconic gold sphere is perched atop the truss tower. Before TV meteorologists, there were weather kiosks. 810 Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, TN, USA. This includes a gold sphere 75 feet in diameter. The Sunsphere is a 266-foot-tall High-Tech observation tower that served as the centerpiece of the 1982 World's Fair held in downtown Knoxville. These incredible trips are sure to inspire romance and relaxation. Don Shell, now CEO of Community Tectonics Architects, told Knox News the company always thought of the structure as a "monument to the sun" even when the designs shifted. [11], The Level 4 observation deck was reopened July 5, 2007, to give visitors a view of Knoxville. "Cost estimates greatly exceeded income," Denton said in 1982. We personally suggest the Knoxville Museum of Arts Public Parking lot or Locust Street Garage. Accessed June 14, 2015. http://www.tntrivia.com/misc/sunspherehistory.pdf. Parking
Eleventh Street, Clinch Avenue and Worlds Fair Park Drive provide direct vehicular access to numerous parking areas: Please note that the World's Fair Park & Volunteer Landing Event Office does not handle any event inquiries, bookings, or delivery notifications for the businesses at the 5th and 6th levels of the Sunsphere. Various proposals have been submitted to the city from time to time for its redevelopment. They remained on the tower for three days before surrendering to police. Or at least a replica. A 1982 World's Fair timeline, gallery, memorabilia and gift shop await you! Location & Hours Suggest an edit 810 Clinch Ave Fl 4 DIMENSIONS Total Height: 266 feet Tower: 198 feet (Hexagonal) Sphere Diameter: 74 feet SPHERE LEVELS There are five levels of usable space Level Five: Observation Level Level Four: Upper Dining Level Level Three: Lower Dining Level Level Two: Kitchen / Private Dining Level One: Observation Level Recent travelers said it's a lively and fun place to walk around, with plenty of places to eat or just hang out. In its original design, the sphere portion was to have had a diameter of 86.5 feet (26.4m) to represent symbolically the 865,000-mile (1,392,000km) diameter sun. Share your knowledge. Shearer, John. hOLIDAY hOURS: 9:00AM-3:00PM On the following Holidays: - MLK Day - Good Friday - Memorial Day - July 4 th The Knoxville News Sentinel 0:00 0:51 The Sunsphere's observation deck, which has been closed since March 2020, is reopening to the public later this month. The Sunsphere was proposed to be included as part of the new Knoxville Convention Center. Little did they know that the fair had been over for 14 years, and the Sunspheres Observation Deck which was dormant in 1996 had been taken over by a wig store. Its unique shape inspired the design of logos and mascots for local sports teams. Located on the 6th or 8th floor of Knoxville's iconic Sunsphere Tower, our event space offers stunning 360 degree views of the city and options to accommodate small to grand gatherings.