It was a special evening for MHM at the 2026 Knox Heritage Preservation Awards, celebrating the people, organizations, and projects helping preserve the places that tell East Tennessee’s story. This year’s awards were especially meaningful, with four MHM projects recognized for their contributions to historic preservation and MHM Chairman Emeritus Douglas McCarty, FAIA, receiving the Spirit of Kristopher Award.
Together, the honors reflect a commitment to preservation that has long been part of MHM’s practice—finding new purpose for historic places while respecting the architecture, stories, and communities that make them worth preserving.
City of Knoxville Mayor’s Award | Historic Sanitary Laundry – 625 N. Broadway
Now home to MHM, the century-old Historic Sanitary Laundry Building was recognized with the City of Knoxville Mayor’s Award for its transformation from a long-vacant industrial landmark into a vibrant new workplace.
Originally constructed in 1925, the building’s rehabilitation preserves the character and history of the former commercial laundry while adapting it to support a modern architecture and design practice. The Mayor’s Award recognizes projects that make exemplary contributions to historic preservation within Knoxville.
Greystone Award | Mechanics Bank and Trust Building – Tennessee Theatre 612 Building
The historic Mechanics Bank and Trust Building at 612 S. Gay Street received a Greystone Award following its rehabilitation and transformation into the Tennessee Theatre’s new 612 Building.
The project gives the historic structure a renewed purpose as an expansion of the neighboring Tennessee Theatre, providing new spaces for patrons, performers, education, community engagement, and Theatre operations. The Greystone Award recognizes significant achievements in historic preservation through stewardship, restoration, and advocacy across the region.
Preservation Merit Awards | Historic Rule House + YWCA Nancy J. Land Center
Two additional MHM projects received Preservation Merit Awards, recognizing the sympathetic rehabilitation of architecturally significant properties.
The Historic Rule House, constructed in 1921 at 2445 E. Magnolia Avenue, has been thoughtfully restored and given new life as the home of Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville’s Anchor Program.
The YWCA Nancy J. Land Center, constructed in 1925 at 420 W. Clinch Avenue, recently underwent an extensive renovation that preserves the historic character of the century-old building while creating updated, accessible, and welcoming spaces to support the YWCA’s mission for generations to come.
Douglas McCarty Receives Spirit of Kristopher Award
The evening brought another meaningful honor as Douglas McCarty, FAIA, Chairman Emeritus, received the Spirit of Kristopher Award for his dedication and outstanding contributions to historic preservation across East Tennessee.
Throughout his career, Doug has championed the buildings, landscapes, and landmarks that give our region its character. His work and advocacy have demonstrated the value of preserving significant places while thoughtfully adapting them to remain active parts of their communities.
For MHM, seeing Doug recognized alongside four projects representing different chapters of Knoxville’s history made the evening particularly special. From a former commercial laundry and historic bank building to a neighborhood residence and century-old community institution, each project demonstrates how preservation can honor the past while creating meaningful opportunities for the future.
We’re grateful to Knox Heritage for these recognitions and for its continued work to protect and celebrate the historic places that make Knoxville and East Tennessee unique.