Columbus, OH (FEBRUARY 1, 2019) – Rockbridge announces the acquisition of The Tennessean Hotel and the Holiday Inn Knoxville Downtown Hotel, both of which sit in prime locations in downtown Knoxville. Aimbridge Hospitality will manage both hotels.

“We look forward to delivering a transformational renovation to the Knoxville Community that will bring economic prosperity to the region,” said Jim Merkel, Rockbridge CEO. “Matt Welch, who led this investment for Rockbridge, was instrumental in delivering our core values, that will result in a win-win-win for our customers, the Knoxville Community, and our investors.”

The Tennessean features 82 guest rooms and offers full-service dining in the Drawing Room Restaurant. Situated near the banks of the Tennessee River, guests have easy access to attractions in Knoxville, including a variety of historic landmarks, outdoor recreational activities, and a vibrant arts, theatre and culinary scene. Less than an hour drive from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Knoxville is also home to The University of Tennessee.

The 286-room Holiday Inn Knoxville Downtown will undergo a comprehensive renovation which will touch almost every area of the property including guest rooms, lobby, meeting space, restaurant/lounge and exterior. The hotel is ideally located adjacent to the Knoxville Convention Center and within walking distance to many attractions, including the Knoxville Museum of Art, historic Market Square, and the University of Tennessee.

“It’s an honor to partner with Rockbridge, and we are proud to add these two hotels to our management portfolio,” said Dave Johnson, Chairman and CEO at Aimbridge Hospitality. “We look forward to providing world class service, and the positive results this partnership will produce.”