Ayres Hall

Ayres Hall is a Gothic Revival university building constructed with red brick and limestone trim, located on the main campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The structure is recognizable by its prominent 140-foot tower that features a distinctive checkerboard pattern at the top, which can be spotted from various points across campus.

The building was constructed between 1919 and 1921 as a tribute to Brown Ayres, who served as the university's twelfth president from 1904 to 1909. Its completion during this postwar period reflected the university's expansion and its commitment to developing the academic core of its campus.

The checkerboard pattern that crowns the tower has become a defining visual element of the university campus and connects this building to other structures on the grounds. Visitors walking through campus often notice how this design detail appears repeated in various forms, tying different buildings together visually.

The building houses the mathematics department and administrative offices for the College of Arts and Sciences, making it an active academic space that visitors can explore during business hours. Its interior features renovated classrooms with contemporary furnishings and terrazzo floors that were updated during a major 2011 renovation.

Following a comprehensive restoration in 2011, the building received LEED silver certification and became the first certified structure at the University of Tennessee. This sustainability recognition demonstrates how an older structure can be updated for modern energy efficiency while preserving its original character.

Location: Knoxville

Inception: 1921

Part of: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

GPS coordinates: 35.95750,-83.92611

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44