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The Sunsphere is a 266m glass structure in Knoxville, Tennessee, built for the 1982 World’s Fair. It has five levels, including two observation decks and restaurant levels. The structure has been used for various purposes, including as a welcome center, private offices, and event space. Despite proposals for redevelopment, the structure remained unused until a 2007 renovation. The Sunsphere gained pop culture fame through an episode of The Simpsons. It has also been the site of various events, including protests and a wedding.
Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, the Sunsphere is a multi-level glass-paneled structure with a total height of 266 m. The Sunsphere was built to represent the sun for the 81 World’s Fair, as a reflection of the Fair’s energy theme. Construction began in January 1982 and the project was completed in time for the opening of the 1981 Fair on May 1.
During the World’s Fair, the Sunsphere contained five levels of usable space, including two observation levels, an upper and lower dining level, and a private kitchen/dining level. The sphere’s 360 glasses are coated with a vinyl film containing gold powder, which gives the structure its unique golden color. At the time of construction, each pane of glass cost approximately $1,000 US Dollars (USD). The sphere also contains a transition level that connects the tower and the sphere and an upper mechanical level.
The observation levels were open to the public, who ascended by lift, during the Universal Exposition. The restaurant levels were also open and could accommodate approximately 300 patrons. Its unique design and height have made it a highly recognizable landmark of the Knoxville downtown area. While never an official city symbol, the Sunsphere, which is also located near the Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee, has been used as part of various local organization logos.
The structure hasn’t always been in use, however, and some Knoxville residents have a love/hate relationship with it. The Sunsphere was the site of the Knoxville Welcome Center from 1992-97, but prior to and after that use, the facility was often empty. In July 2007, one of the observation levels was reopened to the public. On another level, food service has been restored and another level is open for private functions. Other levels are used as private offices.
In the years between the 1982 Universal Exposition and its 25th anniversary, many proposals were made for the redevelopment of the structure. Those proposals included a plan to house a basketball office for the Tornadoes of Pensacola, multiple plans to reopen the facility as a restaurant, and a proposal to incorporate the Sunsphere as part of the Knoxville Convention Center. For various reasons, none of these proposals ever took shape until the 2007 renovation and reopening.
The Sunsphere became pop culture when a 1996 episode of the animated series The Simpsons had Bart Simpson traveling to the site of the 1982 World’s Fair, not realizing that the fair was over. In the episode, Bart and his friends are told that the Sunsphere is not only closed, but is currently a wig store. In retaliation, one of Bart’s friends throws a rock at the golden globe and knocks it over.
In real life, the solar sphere has been the site of various events. In May 1982, a single gunshot shattered one of the glass panes in the structure. In 2000, individuals protesting nuclear war stormed the outside of the facility and camped for three days before surrendering to police. Protesters hung a banner reading “Stop the Bombs” outside the facility. In August 2007, a local couple chose to get married on the observation deck of the Sunsphere.
