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Built in 1928, this historic home stands near the Cravens house on Lookout Mountain and is adjacent to the Ohio State Monument. It was built by Edith Soper Hardy and she lived there until 1944. Her husband, Richard “Dick” Hardy, was an industrialist and former mayor of Chattanooga. Mr. Hardy died suddenly in 1927 but ensured that his wife would be able to build her dream home. She employed popular Chattanooga architect, Clarence T. Jones. Jones is known for designing the observatory that bears his name on Tuxedo Avenue as well as the former Industrial YMCA, now the Common House, on Mitchell Street. Mrs. Hardy ‘s plans for her home included the placement of various structures, walls, trees, a vegetable garden, cement walkways, and some of the property’s unique stone and rock storage areas which can still be seen today. Mrs. Hardy was the founder of the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga and would later become a national figure among humanitarians as a director of The American Humane Association.

In 1947, the Williams' family purchased the residence and lived there for 50 years. The National Park Service has owned the property since 2001. Littleholme was determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places by the Tennessee Historical Commission which is advocating for its preservation. Despite that, the National Park Service has plans to demolish the structure to build a parking lot. The Park Service has concluded that the site is not historically compatible with Civil War era history and intends to focus preservation efforts on Cravens House.

Status: The property must undergo a Section 106 review before demolition can occur, but the continued lack of maintenance is resulting in demolition by neglect. An online petition to save Littleholme has secured 3,492 signatures to date.

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What was once East Ninth Street was renamed for civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1981. The neighborhood was historically known as the “Big Nine,” home to a variety of Black-owned retail shops, offices, and entertainment venues which clustered and thrived here. At its peak, it earned comparisons to Memphis’ Beale Street for influence on the music industry.

American blues singer Bessie Smith sang on the street corners of the Big Nine as a little a girl and became the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. Sam Gooden and Fred Cash played on Ninth Street before forming The Impressions, one of the greatest vocal groups of all time.

Since 1994, the neighborhood has been listed on the National Register of Historic places as an area of great historical significance for being the only cohesive area left that is historically associated with Chattanooga’s African American population. New development and neglect have not been kind. Of the 27 original contributing structures to the National Register District (some being noted as multiple storefronts), 17 no longer exist. The Tadley Building is threatened by demolition and the Half Note Building recently had a partial wall collapse.

This district is surrounded by thriving neighborhoods and is close to the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. It is home to the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and several important murals that tell the story of the neighborhood.

Status: An organized approach to revitalization and sustainability is needed. Several businesses are thriving, so a foundation for success is present.

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Read the National Register Nomination.

Plan a visit to the Bessie Smith Center.

Since its construction in 1890, this distinctive building has been home to the Merchant National Bank, a music school, Joy’s Flower Shop, a saloon, and finally Burchay’s Furriers for 62 years until they closed in 2000. Once slated for the wrecking ball, Preserve Chattanooga negotiated an agreement with the owner of the building to preserve this structure until it can be returned to productive use.

Status: Has undergone stabilization and weatherization improvements; Empty for several years.

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Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the c. 1930 stadium was the site of the majority of the baseball scenes for the 2013 release of “42” – the Jackie Robinson story. The actual baseball field precedes the stadium and in 1917, then known as Andrews Field, saw the likes of iconic players such as Babe Ruth.

Status: Preserve Chattanooga (then Cornerstones) funded $30,000 in roof repairs in partnership with the Engel Foundation several years ago. Owned by UTC, the stadium is deteriorating without a plan in place for its use or restoration. Visit the Engel Foundation website for more information.

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Located immediately adjacent to the St. George Hotel, this is another contributing property to the Market and Main Street National Register Historic District. The footprint of this building is small (app. 3,750 square feet), however it’s the historic neon sign that stands out. And yes, the frogs do jump when the sign is working.

Status: Possibly for sale.

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Established in the early 20th century, “Olde Town Brainerd” sits at the eastern base of Missionary Ridge. Near the McCallie School and at the Missionary Ridge Tunnel entrance, this compact, walkable, traditional neighborhood business district has great potential. It has become an emerging “arts district” with art supplies shops and a small “urban art garden” near the tunnel entrance. Tree-lined streets and traditional storefronts provide a “Main Street” aesthetic.

Status: Traffic calming, more streetside parking, improved storefronts, and the addition of more residential and dining options would help complete the revitalization of the area.

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Located on Reggie White Boulevard next to the First Horizon Pavilion and across from Finley Stadium, Parkway Towers remains a highly visible eyesore. Efforts to market the building to a new owner have not been successful and there are different theories as to why.

Built in 1920, Parkway Towers was originally home to a Tennessee Electric Power Company substation which stored electricity generated at the Hale's Bar Dam. Despite being surrounded by vibrant sites and activities such as the Chattanooga Market at First Horizon Pavilion, Finley Stadium, Naked River Brewing Company, luxury lofts and the Chattanooga Skate Park, the building has stood vacant and neglected for decades.

While broken windows and graffiti have become a signature feature of late, it’s not difficult to appreciate the five-story building’s imposing façade, impressive proportions, and its prominent spot on the Chattanooga skyline.

Status: The property has been for sale. Marcus & Millichap has prepared an Offering Memorandum.

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Rivoli Mills ceased operations in 2002. The facility, located on East 28th Street near Dodds Avenue, made knit golf shirts, but was a casualty of foreign imports.

The art deco brick building was built in 1910 and represents a significant period of industrial and local history related to Chattanooga's textile industry. It features hardwood floors, beams, glass block windows, and brick walls.

Former mill buildings are popular adaptive reuse sites. Rivoli Mill is currently for sale.

LoopNet

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The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga ended its ties with the All Saints Academy in 2020. The building, located nearby on 8th Street, fell into significant disrepair after serving the parish as a school and later a meeting space since 1925.

The All Saints Academy building was originally home to Notre Dame Academy, now Notre Dame High School, when it was a grade 1-12 school from 1925 to 1965. When the high school grades moved to the current NDHS site on Vermont Avenue in 1965, the remaining grades continued under the name Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary School.

Part of the Saints Peter and Paul National Register of Historic Places, the building is owned by the Diocese of Knoxville. The church at one time investigated demolition of the building.

The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a fire in the building last October. It has struggled with vandals and homeless camps.

Status: At least one developer has looked at the building, but was unable to produce a viable pro forma for adaptive reuse. It is our understanding the diocese is open to discussing a sale of the property.

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Constructed c. 1900, these two properties were built simultaneously for commercial use as part of the thriving Market and Broad Street business district. Jazzy was the name of the last furniture store that was housed in one of these buildings. The very interesting architectural façade fronting on Market Street is still intact.

Status: For sale. Find more information on the LoopNet listing here. Located in an Opportunity Zone.

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