Johnson City Envisions Historic Renewal, John Sevier Center to Become Boutique Hotel in Downtown Revitalization Effort

Johnson City is moving forward with a major downtown redevelopment as the Johnson City Development Authority and the City of Johnson City have chosen the Lansing Melbourne Group to lead the transformation of the John Sevier Center and Downtown Centre. Lansing Melbourne Group was selected through a two-step process assisted by Hunden Partners, earning the contract for its expertise in historic reuse projects, according to the City of Johnson City.

JCDA Chair Jack Simpson said, “The John Sevier Center, restored to a boutique hotel, and the Downtown Centre, serving our community as a retail, dining, and entertainment destination, will be crucial to that redevelopment.” The $66 million plan will revive the 1924 landmark into a 136-room boutique hotel with retail, event, and rooftop spaces, while redeveloping the Downtown Centre into a modern mix of parking, commercial, and community areas, as reported by the City of Johnson City.

Lansing Melbourne Group is preparing to begin the due diligence phase for a redevelopment project in Johnson City. The ownership transfer is planned for September 2026, followed by groundbreaking in October and a grand opening in May 2028. CEO Peter Flotz said the project will focus on revitalizing the downtown area. Assistant City Manager Alicia Summers said, “Redeveloping the John Sevier Center and Downtown Centre will generate new commercial opportunities and attract private investment while preserving two key assets important to the city’s history and charm,” as stated by the City of Johnson City.