Visit Knoxville has announced the start of Phase II of upgrades to the Sunsphere in Knoxville, Tennessee, which will involve the construction of a new welcome center. The construction is set to begin at the end of March and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The new Sunsphere Welcome Center will be located on the third floor of the Sunsphere and will feature staffed ticketing, expanded retail, brochures, and information. The facility will have an entrance canopy topped with a solar array facing the Knoxville Convention Center, in honor of the theme of the 1982 World’s Fair. This solar component was made possible through a partnership with Chroma Energy Group.
The Phase II improvements will also include a new roof, a new paint treatment for the exterior brick, and a nod to the Rubik’s cube with a color scheme of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. Although the renovations are ongoing, the Sunsphere is expected to remain open with occasional closures as needed.
City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon expressed excitement about highlighting the iconic structure and welcoming visitors to the city’s downtown area. The improvements to the Sunsphere are being funded through Visit Knoxville’s Sunsphere Fund, supported by Knox County and the City of Knoxville. The completion of Phase I of the enhancement plan involved painting the Sunsphere back to its original blue color in November 2023.
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