Historic Zoning Commission

Individual Landmark: Level II

6-I-06-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II. Replacement/repair

Install monument sign with overall size of 6' high and 4+' wide (sign board size 3'x4') installed on 2 PVC Posts with caps. Sign to be colored high density urethane, double-sided and sandblasted, with words "Bleak House, Confederate Memorial Hall, Circa 1858". APPROVE Certificate 6106GEN with modification of sign board to overall 9 sq. ft.

Site Info

Two-story brick building with basement. Low pitched hip and gable roofs and flat roofs, asymmetrical massing, three story tower on east elevation. Eight over eight and six over six double hung windows with stone lintels and round-arched windows in the tower, solarium and hallway on the east elevation. Primary entrance on the north elevation facing Kingston Pike is a single leaf door with a demi-lune transom framed by a stone door surround consisting of a dentilled pediment and decorated pilasters.

Bleak House was originally irregular shaped with a three story tower on its southeast corner. Porches on the south elevation, southeast corner and in the ell of the north elevation were flat-roofed with square columns and balustrades. Additions include the two story addition with 6/6 double hung windows on the rear (south) elevation, the one-story solarium with paired double-hung sash windows capped by fanlights on the east elevation; a one-story addition on the southwest corner with a recessed open porch and three round-arched openings, and a round-arched porte-cochere with vaulted ceiling on the northwest corner.

C 1910 Roman garden extending to the river, with each level of the garden enclosed by an ornate concrete wall. Central walk from the main gates leads down through graduated levels and beneath an arbor and gazebo with boxwoods and wisteria. In the center of the garden is a large pool or fish pond with a central island containing a circular pavilion. A lion-head motif graces the entrance gates to the house and fountain on the patio at the back of the house.

Bleak House is the site of many functions, such as weddings and other catered events, and derives much of its operating income from those functions. The museum house is the only one on Kingston Pike that does not have a large identifying sign, and due to the traffic volume and speed, is difficult for guests to find when attending those functions. Installation of a sign is necessary if the Chapter is to continue to realize the source of income from the rentals; however, the overall size of a sign proscribed by the Knoxville Zoning Ordinance is 9 sq. ft. The suggested modification will bring the sign into compliance with those regulations.