The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has broken ground on the 865 Neyland entertainment district, a major mixed-use development planned between Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
UT leaders and community partners gathered Sept. 19 for the groundbreaking. The development is designed to serve as a year-round destination for Tennessee fans, visitors and the Knoxville community.
“The 865 Neyland entertainment district is going to be a game changer for our fans and a huge asset for our entire campus,” Chancellor Donde Plowman said. “The investment creates new opportunities for fan experiences, community engagement and year-round activities.”
The project is being developed through a public-private partnership involving UT, RVX Ventures, Magellan Development Group and Arctos Sports.
Plans call for roughly 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor entertainment, dining and retail space, along with a 24-story hybrid condo-hotel.
The development is expected to include a rooftop bar overlooking Neyland Stadium, an East Tennessee-inspired anchor restaurant, a multilevel sports bar and two outdoor plazas with green space and additional food and beverage options.
Plans also include about 3,000 square feet of LED displays and a performance stage with a 50-foot LED screen for concerts, watch parties and other events.
Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White said the project could also help distinguish Tennessee from other major college athletic programs.
“There’s not a college athletics department in the country that has an entertainment district and a hotel development at this scope and scale,” White said. “It’s really a game changer, and we’re a first mover in this space.”
White said the development could also become part of the university’s recruiting pitch by showcasing the size of Tennessee’s fan base and its investment in athletic facilities.
Demolition of UT’s G10 parking garage, which sits within the project footprint, is scheduled for this fall.
A replacement parking garage is expected to be completed by August 2027. The 865 Neyland entertainment district is scheduled to open in early 2028, with the condo-hotel tower expected to follow in 2029.
