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Guide to Fourth and Gill
Where is Fourth and Gill?
About a mile north of downtown and the UT campus on the east side of Broadway. Fourth & Gill is easily accessible by I-40, I-275, and Broadway.
Fourth and Gill Information
One of Knoxville’s oldest historic neighborhoods, Fourth & Gill gets it’s name from two of the streets that intersect there, N Fourth Ave and Gill Ave. The neighborhood started life as one of the city’s “streetcar suburbs” and many of its homes were designed by two of Knoxville’s most renowned architects, George F. Barber and Joseph Bauman. Although it was allowed to fall into neglect during the latter half of the last century, the area’s historic preservation is now in full swing and many of the approximately 280 buildings in the neighborhood have been renovated.
Fourth & Gill is an eclectic neighborhood as well as an historic one. Structures there date from the 1880s to the 1940s and inlclude not only single family homes, but also several duplexes, a few apartment buildings, 3 churches, and 1 former school. There is a good bit of architectural variety on the whole, but most of the homes in Fourth & Gill are Queen Anne or Craftsman style. if you want to know more about the history and architecture of the area, check out the Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Web site.
One great feature of the Fourth & Gill area is that it is very walkable. There are sidewalks on just about every street and there are businesses, parks and churches within easy walking distance. Residents looking for a little R & R can take a stroll to the Fourth & Gill Park on Eleanor St, while veggie and organic foodie residents can walk across Broadway to the Three Rivers Market, a natural foods co-op. And there’s no need to designate a driver when Fourth & Gill residents can simply walk to Sassy Ann’s on Fourth Ave, a long-time Knoxville favorite for live music & libations that is as neat to look at as it is to get down in.
If residents don’t mind hopping in their cars or on thier bikes, they can make the short trip downtown to shop, eat and play. New businesses are opening all the time on the newly revitalized Market Square and there is a thriving seasonal farmer’s market there as well. Over on Gay Street, folks can enjoy a movie at the new Regal Riviera Theater or a live show at the historic Tennessee Theatre.
Fourth & Gill is currently zoned for Beaumont Elementary School, Vine Magnet Middle School, and Fulton High School.
You will totally dig Fourth & Gill if you’re looking for:
- a historic home in a tight knit community
- something close to downtown
- a walkable neighborhood with sidewalks
- easy access to a public park
You’ll want to skip Fourth & Gill if you’re looking for:
- new or newer construction
- easy access to mall shopping
- a home with a large lot
Images of Fourth & Gill
© 2008 Robert Stockdale Photography, All Rights Reserved.
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M.
December 4th, 2008 at 9:00 am
That has always been my favorite neighborhood in Knoxville. When I lived in Knoxville that was the ‘hood I tried (in vain) to convince the wife “we NEED to live here!”. Even went to an Open House for a cute little craftsman-style home hoping to sway her. I wish we’d bought it.
CK
December 4th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
one caveat: “tight-nit neighborhood” often translates into neighbor interference, i.e. “keep your grass at exactly 4″ or you’ll hear from the neighborhood association” or “changing your house’s color will have to be approved by three committees.” i’ve heard some pretty crazy stories about 4th and Gill neighborhood activists.
If you want historic and close to town, without the rich housewife down the street getting up in your grill, try Mechanicsville like yours truly.
Rob
January 14th, 2009 at 9:15 am
We’re not all crazies. The monthly potlucks are wonderful! The neighbors are active, I wouldn’t necessarily call it activism. I publish the newsletter, here’s a link to the latest one: http://www.fourthandgill.org/Newsletter/4th_and_gill_news_Fall_2008.pdf
Suzy
January 14th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Thanks for the link to the newsletter! That’s great for people who might be interested in moving to the area.
Rob
January 14th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
No problem! The whole neighborhood site is at http://www.fourthandgill.org and it has a lot more stuff worth seeing.
jericho
January 28th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
CK said “If you want historic and close to town, without the rich housewife down the street getting up in your grill…”
Dang, CK. Spot on about Fourth and Gill. LFMAO.
Bill Pittman
February 21st, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Hey CK…I think someone is misinforming you. House colors are certainly not regulated in Fourth & Gill although like all historic neighborhoods in Knoxville, exterior construction must be approved by the Historic Zoning Commission. Additionally and to the best of my knowledge, the neighborhood organization has never contacted a neighbor about “grass above 4 inches”. The City does enforce a one foot city ordinance but that again is city-wide.
Just an FYI, and…
All the best,
Bill Pittman
1130 Luttrell St.
Bill Pittman
February 21st, 2009 at 4:29 pm
BTW…I wouldn’t say “to skip” Fourth & Gill if you’re looking for new construction; you should check out the 3 new houses in the 800 block of Gratz St. to see what cool, new construction can look like in a historic neighborhood.
FYI,
Bill Pittman
1130 Luttrell St.