When I was imagining the historic old building that was to become the new home of Frank & Hannah I started looking around where I THOUGHT they’d want to live. It had to be close to downtown Knoxville, but not just anywhere on Gay St.
The empty gap in the 700 block of Broadway. Site of the imaginary Merchant & Moore building in downtown Knoxville a couple blocks from 4th & Gill and Happy Holler.
I was driving up Broadway and noticed THE PLACE! It was conspicuous by its absence – a building that was between 729 and 743 – currently an empty parking and loading area right where Broadway and Central cross.
I have no idea who really owns it or its history, but if you’re in Knoxville, driving up Broadway in the 700 block look for the freshly painted Coca-Cola ad on the side of the building. That empty gap is where I dreamed up the building!
The empty gap in the 700 block of Broadway. Site of the imaginary Merchant & Moore building in downtown Knoxville a couple blocks from 4th & Gill and Happy Holler.
I know there are historic buildings where the original Knoxville newspapers were grown, where Adolph Ochs crafted his skills as a “Printer’s Devil” before creating the Chattanooga and then the New York Times. But for purposes of Principles of Real Estate and Murder it all happened here!
The empty gap in the 700 block of Broadway. Site of the imaginary Merchant & Moore building in downtown Knoxville a couple blocks from 4th & Gill and Happy Holler.
Rob Howard | Knoxville Realtor and Author | KnoxvilleRob | Frank Merchant Mysteries
Rob Howard is more than just a Knoxville, TN real estate agent; he is the author who captures the story of Knoxville. 23+ year industry veteran, Rob combines the data-driven expertise of a top-producing team with the narrative insight of a local historian and novelist.
Rob’s unique approach to real estate. Rob has focused on "wandering, listening, and absorbing" Knoxville since becoming a student at the University of Tennessee in 1991. Rob's relational approach to Knoxville and East Tennessee real estate earned him a feature in Jay Papasan’s (co-author of The One Thing) acclaimed book on real estate success. Whether navigating the revitalization of Downtown Knoxville, the historic charm of Fourth and Gill, or the community fabric of Farragut, Rob helps clients understand the true character of the neighborhoods they are buying into.
Beyond the closing table, Rob is the author of the Frank Merchant mystery series, set locally in Knoxville and around East Tennessee. He leverages this deep knowledge of the region’s history and culture to help relocation clients and locals alike find not just a house, but their place in Knoxville’s story.
Specialties: Knoxville Relocation, Historic Homes, Luxury Real Estate, and East Tennessee Investment Properties.
Connect with Rob: 🌐 Search Homes: KnoxvilleRob.com 📚 Read the Books: RealEstateMystery.com 📸 Follow the Journey: @KnoxvilleRob on all social media!
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