AJ Capital Partners Acquires 112-Key Hilton Garden Inn Across From University of Tennessee
Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners announced today that it has acquired the Hilton Garden Inn on Cumberland Avenue across from the University of Tennessee. The hotel will operate independently as The Volunteer Hotel prior to and during renovations, which will begin in December 2019. Once complete in spring 2020, the 112-key hotel will debut as Graduate Knoxville, part of the Graduate Hotels® collection.
Saloon 16, opening in partnership with University of Tennessee graduate and former NFL quarterback, Peyton Manning, will bring a western-inspired, high-end watering hole to Graduate Knoxville. The name was inspired by Manning's nickname "The Sheriff" and his UT football number 16. The vintage saloon will boast a refined, yet old-school, experience including a jukebox, dart board, live piano and outdoor dining.
Positioned along The Strip, the main-drag connecting downtown Knoxville to the University of Tennessee, Graduate Knoxville will be located on Cumberland Avenue, just steps from campus and the Fort Sanders neighborhood and close proximity to Neyland Stadium. Nestled along the Tennessee River and the nearby Great Smokey Mountains, Graduate Knoxville will offer access to both the city's rich cultural and outdoor offerings.
Created for travelers who seek memory-making journeys, Graduate Hotels is a thoughtfully crafted collection of hotels that reside in the most dynamic university-anchored cities across the country. Each property celebrates and commemorates the optimistic energy of its community while offering an extended retreat to places that often play host to the most memorable days of our lives. There are currently 14 Graduate Hotels open and operating across the U.S. and an additional 17 properties under development and slated to open by the end of 2020.
"Since the inception of Graduate Hotels, it has been a goal of ours to bring a property to Knoxville," said Ben Weprin, Founder and CEO of AJ Capital Partners. "While each Graduate hotel is distinct and personal, this project hits especially close to home."
The hotel will undergo a comprehensive renovation that will touch all guestrooms and common spaces, including the conversion of the existing meeting and event space, as well as the addition of the forthcoming Saloon 16 and Poindexter coffee shop.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
