Neyland Stadium will add a new entertainment district to game days in Knoxville

The University of Tennessee has announced plans for a new Neyland Entertainment District adjacent to Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville. The district is expected to cover nearly 175,000 square feet along the Tennessee River waterfront, featuring a condotel, shopping, dining, and other entertainment. The development will transform the game day experience for our rivals to the south, who already have one of the better atmospheres in college football.

The renderings of the project make me sick with jealousy. Look at this:

The condotel will feature approximately 240 rooms and 60 luxury condos, plus a rooftop restaurant and bar, pool, conference center, lounges, fitness center, and hotel spa. Beyond the hotel, the Neyland Entertainment District will connect Neyland Stadium and the Food City Center, the home of Vols basketball.

UK AD Danny White helped bring it all together. White said, “We are absolutely thrilled to witness our vision for this groundbreaking project taking tangible shape. The development team understood our vision and designed a legacy asset that will significantly impact our campus and overall community. We eagerly anticipate the upcoming phases of this historic endeavor, which is set to influence our campus and the city of Knoxville deeply. The Neyland Entertainment District is poised to become a valuable asset to America’s College Sports City.”

More renderings of Vols paradise/my personal hell:

Neyland Entertainment District

Did this announcement have to come on the same day that Darrell Bird dropped an interview with Mark Stoops about being tired of raising money?