• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News
  • Subscribe

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds

 

Alexander Guest House renovation restores grandeur at historic hotel

Posted at 2:57 pm September 27, 2015
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Alexander Guest House Ballroom and Cafeteria Sept. 23, 2015

The ballroom and cafeteria area is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn hotel into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

It’s been a dream for years, and now the preservation and transformation of the former Alexander Inn is nearly complete.

The two-year, $8 million construction and renovation project is almost finished, and Alexander Guest House could open as an assisted living facility in about two weeks, said Rick Dover of Dover Development of East Tennessee.

Sixty percent of the 64 apartments are already reserved, Executive Director Jody Daugherty said during a media tour Wednesday. Among those who will live there are Jean Stone of Oak Ridge and Dean Ford of Oliver Springs. They participated in the media tour on Wednesday.

“I think they’ve done a remarkable job of restoring it to its grandeur,” said Stone, a longtime Oak Ridge resident who has “many fine memories” of parties, weddings, wedding receptions, and club meetings, among other events, at the historic two-story hotel. “Once I saw what they’re doing here, I wanted to come here. I think it will be a lovely place to live. It’s absolutely tremendous.”

The historic two-story hotel was built as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II, and top scientists and dignitaries once stayed there.

Advertisement

But it hadn’t been used since the 1990s, and it had fallen into disrepair. The long-vacant hotel, which has been known as both the Guest House and Alexander Inn, was dilapidated enough that Dover fell through a floor the first time he toured the property, and woodchucks and bees lived inside. It became the victim of vandals, varmints, and weather, and city code enforcement efforts against the property started in 2005.

Historic preservationists including the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association lobbied to save the property for years. And Dover had looked at it a few times over a decade. But he couldn’t make the numbers work.

But a $500,000 grant announced by the U.S. Department of Energy three years ago changed the math. The grant went to the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance, which used it to buy the Alexander Inn and stabilize it until the hotel could be transferred to a private developer.

Dover Development, which was formerly Family Pride Corporation, announced its proposal to convert the hotel into an assisted living center in September 2012, and bought the property in May 2013.

The company received a 90 percent, 10-year tax break, or payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, used to build a new road for cars that once drove through the three-acre site, move a storm sewer under the two-story building, and help remove asbestos, among other things.

Advertisement

On Wednesday, Dover said workers saved and restored as much of the Alexander Inn as possible, including the original floors and structure. The hotel’s poplar paneling was re-milled, Dover said.

There is a soda-fountain bar where the old lunch counter used to be, lounges and seating areas upstairs and down, and outdoor courtyards. Services will include laundry, entertainment, transportation, and a beauty salon. Also planned are a herb garden for the kitchen and putting green for residents.

“It’s like living in a country club or a great old hotel,” Dover said.

Dover said prospective residents are welcome to visit for a tour.

He said the Alexander Guest House will have an 18-unit first-floor memory care wing for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

He said he’s never see a building so beloved by the community in his 30 years in the business. Officials had a yard sale a few years ago for some of the items that remained in the Alexander Inn, and the line to get into the building went around the block.

“This changed the course of our history,” Dover said of the hotel, which contributed to the end of World War II and to the science and technology that followed.

Alexander Guest House Bed Sept. 23, 2015

A bed in a second-floor studio apartment is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn hotel into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Alexander Inn was built during the war, when Oak Ridge raced to help build the world’s first atomic weapons as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project. Guests who once stayed at the two-story hotel included General Leslie Groves, Secretary of War Henry Stimson, and physicists J. Robert Oppenheimer and Enrico Fermi.

Once known as the Guest House, the Alexander Inn was one of the first Manhattan Project buildings, and it opened in August 1943.

“Now it’s back to life, like a phoenix rising from its own ashes,” Tennessee Senator Randy McNally said Wednesday. The senator, who stayed at the hotel in 1948, won praise from Dover for helping resolve state issues related to the project.

Officials said the three-acre site has a preservation easement on it.

“This is like a dream come true for us,” said Kim Trent, executive director of Knox Heritage. “This building will be protected forever.”

Advertisement

The building renovation included the demolition of the ballroom, which was added to the hotel in the 1950s. It couldn’t be salvaged, Dover said. It was replaced with a kitchen and new ballroom and dining area.

Workers demolished the ballroom at the hotel in June 2013, and officials had a groundbreaking for Alexander Guest House in November 2013.

In March 2014, the building was removed from an annual list of endangered places in East Tennessee published by the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance.

Dover and his company received a historic preservation award from the ORHPA in September 2014.

“We’re going to faithfully restore this building to its original look, from the soda-fountain bar in the lobby to the beautiful wide porch out front,” Dover said at that time.

Now, the Alexander Guest House could become part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park approved by Congress in December. The property is listed on the National Historic Register as part of the Oak Ridge historic district.

Alexander Guest House First Floor Lounge Sept. 23, 2015

A first-floor lounge is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn hotel into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The DOE grant to the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance was part of a 10-year effort to preserve the North End of the former K-25 Building in west Oak Ridge. Concerns about the safety of that former uranium-enriching building, its deteriorated condition, and the cost made preservation impractical, but an agreement officially announced by DOE in August 2012 cleared the way for the entire building to be demolished. The agreement also provided, among other things, the $500,000 grant to the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam said the Alexander Inn was the only historic building to be preserved as part of that K-25 mitigation.

Oak Ridge Today has previously reported that the renovation is benefiting from a 20 percent federal tax credit, and the rehabilitation is adhering to U.S. Department of Interior standards.

Ford, a veteran who worked entry-level construction jobs in Oak Ridge before he joined the Army in World War II and worked at Y-12 for more than 40 years after the war, said he had looked at a few places, but he was willing and able to wait for a room at Alexander Guest House.

His daughter’s wedding rehearsal was there, Ford said, and the staff is welcoming.

“It’s part of the history of Oak Ridge,” he said. “It’s just amazing to see it come back today.”

Alexander Guest House Lobby Sept. 23, 2015

The lobby is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn hotel into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Alexander Guest House Dignitaries Sept. 23, 2015

Pictured above during a media tour of the Alexander Guest House on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, are, from left, Sen. Randy McNally; Rick Dover of Dover Development; Kim Trent, executive director of Knox Heritage; former Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan; Rep. John Ragan; and Wes Farragut, vice president of CNB in Sevierville. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Alexander Guest House Studio Apartment Sept. 23, 2015

A studio apartment is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn hotel into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Alexander Guest House Entryway Sept. 23, 2015

The entryway is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn hotel into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Alexander Guest House Officials on Sept. 23, 2015

Pictured above during a media tour of the Alexander Guest House on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, are, from left, Sen. Randy McNally; Rick Dover of Dover Development; former Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan; and Rep. John Ragan. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Alexander Guest House Second Floor Lounge Sept. 23, 2015

A second-floor lounge is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn hotel into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Alexander Guest House Jean Stone, Jody Daugherty, and Rick Dover on Sept. 23, 2015

Jean Stone, left, an Oak Ridge resident who will live at Alexander Guest House, is pictured above with Executive Director Jody Daugherty and Rick Dover of Dover Development, the company that bought and redeveloped the property. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Dean Ford at Alexander Guest House on Sept. 23, 2015

Dean Ford, a World War II veteran and Oliver Springs resident, will live at the Alexander Guest House at the former Alexander Inn and Guest House, which has been renovated and converted into an assisted living facility. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Alexander Guest House Bed Sept. 23, 2015

A bed in a second-floor studio apartment with a view of the Chapel on the Hill is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn hotel into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Alexander Guest House Front Entrance Sept. 23, 2015

The front entrance is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn hotel into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today) 

 

Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Filed Under: Business, Business, Community, East Tennessee Technology Park, Front Page News, Government, Health, Nonprofits, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Alexander Guest House, Alexander Inn, Bill Haslam, CNB, Dean Ford, DOE, Dover Development, East Tennessee Preservation Alliance, Enrico Fermi, Family Pride Corporation, Guest House, Henry Stimson, historic hotel, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Jean Stone, Jody Daugherty, John Ragan, K-25, Kim Trent, Knox Heritage, Leslie Groves, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, National Historic Register, Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, ORHPA, Randy McNally, renovation, Rick Dover, Tom Beehan, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Interior, Wes Farragut, World War II

Advertisements

 


Join the club!

If you appreciate our work, please consider subscribing. Besides helping us, your subscription will give you access to our premium content.

Some of our stories are free, brought to you by Oak Ridge Today with help from our members—advertisers, subscribers, and sponsors.

But some are premium content, available only to members. Those are in-depth, investigative, or exclusive stories that are available only on Oak Ridge Today. They generally require significant time to report, write, and publish.

You can subscribe for as little as $5 per month.

You can read more about your options here.

We currently offer five primary subscription options to readers, and they include benefits.

Basic

  • Basic monthly subscription ($5 per month)—access premium content
  • Basic annual subscription ($60 per year)—access premium content

Pro

  • Pro monthly subscription ($10 per month)—access premium content, get breaking news emails first, and submit one press release or public service announcement per month
  • Pro annual subscription ($100 per year)—save $20 per year, access premium content, get breaking news emails first, and submit one press release or public service announcement per month

Temporary

  • Temporary access ($3 per week for two weeks)

We also have advanced subscription options. You can see them here.

We also accept donations. You can donate here.

If you prefer to send a check for a subscription or donation, you may do so by mailing one to:

Oak Ridge Today
P.O. Box 6064
Oak Ridge, TN 37831

Thank you for your consideration and for reading Oak Ridge Today. We appreciate your support.

Commenting Guidelines

We welcome comments, but we ask you to follow a few guidelines:

1) Please use your real name, including last name. Please also use a valid e-mail address.
2) Be civil. Don't insult others, attack their character, or get personal.
3) Stick to the issues.
4) No profanity.
5) Keep your comments to a reasonable length and to a reasonable number per article.

We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these guidelines. Comments held for review, usually from those posting for the first time, may not post if they violate these guidelines. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Thank you also for reading Oak Ridge Today and for participating in the discussion.

More information is available here.

Comments

  1. Joseph Lee says

    September 27, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    I love it when a plan comes together.
    Thank you to everyone envolved.
    This is great news for Oak Ridge.

    Reply
  2. Dave Smith says

    September 28, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    “I think they’ve done a remarkable job of restoring it to its grandeur.”

    Although the Alexander Inn is unquestionably historic, I can’t say that I recall from times past when it could have been accurately described as grandiose. It was, however, a cut above other contemporaneous structures built in the Army-Corps-of-Engineers, low-bid, war-rationed materials kinda way.

    I think it was the” parties, weddings, receptions, club meetings and other events” themselves that imparted a sense of grandeur to the Alexander.

    By the way, somebody needs to update the Wikipedia entry for the Alexander Inn to incorporate its present condition. It’s another great day in Oak Ridge.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Inn

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Business News

Speakers mostly support TRISO-X fuel facility at meeting

A small group of residents who spoke at a public meeting on Wednesday were mostly supportive of a proposed nuclear fuel facility in west Oak Ridge. None of the seven local speakers opposed the project, but they had some … [Read More...]

Residents discuss Dollar General in Marlow

A handful of Anderson County residents have expressed mixed opinions in government meetings about a reported proposal to build a Dollar General store next to Oliver Springs Highway in Marlow, but the Anderson County … [Read More...]

NRC accepting comments on environmental review for nuclear fuel facility

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will have a public meeting in Oak Ridge next week to accept public comments about the environmental review for a proposed nuclear fuel facility at Horizon Center. It would be the … [Read More...]

Planning Commission approves Weigel’s site plan

The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission approved a site plan Thursday evening for a new Weigel's at South Illinois Avenue and Union Valley Road. The plan for the 6,600-square foot store on an undeveloped 3.6-acre … [Read More...]

Railroad could jeopardize airport

Railroad tracks at Heritage Center, the former K-25 site, have emerged as a potential "deal-killer" for the proposed Oak Ridge Airport. On Tuesday, Oak Ridge city leaders said a new company in west Oak Ridge might … [Read More...]

More Business

More Community News

Free dental, vision, medical services in February

Remote Area Medical (RAM)—a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision, and medical care to those in need—will have a free, two-day clinic in Oak Ridge in February. The clinic … [Read More...]

Tickets on sale for Flatwater Storytelling Festival

The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival in June will feature three nationally acclaimed storytellers: Lyn Ford, Bil Lepp, and Rev. Robert B. Jones. "Well-known to audiences throughout the country for their wit and … [Read More...]

Bird courtship to be discussed in UT Arboretum Society program

Bird courtship will be discussed in a pre-recorded program of the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society in February. "Bird courtship has begun!" a press release said. "Either from new partnerships being formed or … [Read More...]

Democratic Women’s Club to hear from AC Emergency Rescue Squad

Representatives of the Anderson County Emergency Rescue Squad will be guest speakers when the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club meets at 6 p.m. Monday, January 23, at Shoney’s Restaurant, 204 South Illinois Avenue … [Read More...]

Medicaid expansion forum is Tuesday

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge and co-sponsors are hosting a forum on Medicaid expansion in Tennessee on Tuesday. The forum is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, January 17, in the ORAU Pollard Auditorium at … [Read More...]

More Community

More Government News

Residents discuss Dollar General in Marlow

A handful of Anderson County residents have expressed mixed opinions in government meetings about a reported proposal to build a Dollar General store next to Oliver Springs Highway in Marlow, but the Anderson County … [Read More...]

Read city manager’s retirement letter

This is a copy of the January 17 retirement letter from Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson to the seven Oak Ridge City Council members. Since August of 2010, I have been proud to serve the City of Oak Ridge as its … [Read More...]

Oak Ridge Public Library

Library restrooms will be renovated

The restrooms at the Oak Ridge Public Library will be renovated starting February 1. The renovations are expected to be completed by June 1. The renovations will result in increased accessibility under Americans … [Read More...]

Breakfast with Legislators resumes Monday

Breakfast with the Legislators begins this year on Monday. The monthly breakfasts are scheduled each year while the Tennessee General Assembly is in session. They are hosted by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, … [Read More...]

Former AC Commissioner Hitchcock dies

Note: This story was updated at 11:30 a.m. Harry "Whitey" Hitchcock, who represented part of Oak Ridge in three terms on Anderson County Commission, died January 10. A former teacher, he was 76. Hitchcock served on … [Read More...]

More Government

More U.S. Department of Energy News

UPF construction could cost more, take longer

The Uranium Processing Facility at Y-12 National Security Complex was supposed to be completed by 2025 for no more than $6.5 billion, but that might no longer be the case. In the past week, federal officials said … [Read More...]

Y-12 celebrates new fire station, emergency operations center

A new fire station and emergency operations center at the Y-12 National Security Complex will replace "severely outdated" buildings that were constructed in the 1940s, about eight decades ago. The new buildings will … [Read More...]

Oak Ridge EM prepared for cold weather to prevent failures

From DOE Office of Environmental Management’s "EM Update" newsletter UCOR employees Andy Rodgers, left, and Alex Johnson install heat tracing to protect systems at the Environmental Management Waste Management … [Read More...]

Extreme Classroom Makeover applications due Jan. 31

The deadline to submit a video application is about one week away in a contest that awards $25,000 to improve STEM education in public schools in the region. ORAU's Extreme Classroom Makeover is open to third-grade to … [Read More...]

You may hear Y-12 sirens when maintenance performed

There will be maintenance work on the public warning siren system in Oak Ridge during the week of January 23, and people in the area might occasionally hear audio from individual sirens around the Y-12 National Security … [Read More...]

More DOE

Recent Posts

  • Basketball: Wildcats beat West in rematch
  • Basketball: Lady Wildcats undefeated in district
  • Obituaries: Jan. 23-27, 2023
  • Speakers mostly support TRISO-X fuel facility at meeting
  • UPF construction could cost more, take longer
  • Y-12 celebrates new fire station, emergency operations center
  • One person seriously injured in Wednesday crash
  • Oak Ridge EM prepared for cold weather to prevent failures
  • Covenant Health donating land for Roane State health science center
  • School board approves aviation career path

Search Oak Ridge Today

About Us

About Oak Ridge Today
What We Cover

How To

Advertise
Subscribe

Contact Us

Contact Oak Ridge Today

Copyright © 2023 Oak Ridge Today