Baggage Depot - 1860

12 West 13th Street

This one-story brick structure, the oldest building still standing in downtown Chattanooga, is the former baggage depot for the Queen & Crescent Railroad. After sitting empty for a number of years, the building was recently renovated and now houses retail shops. Joining in the revitalization of the South-side, Cornerstones acquired this property, fronted the cost and structural engineering reports, and eventually transferred the property to a developer who could return the property to productive use.

Burchay Building - 1890

817 Market Street

After being occupied at various times by the Merchant National Bank, a music teacher, Joy’s Flower Shop, and a saloon, the distinctive stone building housed the Burchay’s Furriers for 62 years, until that business closed in 2000. Once slated for the wrecking ball, Cornerstones negociated an agreement with the owner of the building to preserve this structure until it can be returned to productive use.

Central Block - 1883

630 Market Street

Referred to as “the first pretentious building to go up on Market Street”, and labeled “center state in [the] city’s preservation efforts." This three-story brick building was recently renovated. It reopened in 2003 as offices for the United Way of Greater Chattanooga. After years of vacancy, Cornerstones purchased the building and invested in substantial renovations, prior to transferring the property to the United Way of Greater Chattanooga.

Customs House - 1893

31 East 11th Street

This Richardsonian Romanesque structure, designed of rough and smooth stone, was built to house the federal post office and other U.S. Government offices. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, this building continues to house the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and other governmental offices. Cornerstones accepted a donation of a façade easement for this building, which enables Cornerstones legally to maintain, preserve, and protect the exterior of the structure.

Dent House - 1854

5114 Bonny Oaks Drive

This beautiful Georgian mansion was erected by Colonel Jarrett G. Dent, who moved to Tennessee to build the Western & Atlantic Railroad in the 1850s. After serving as a school for dependent children for many years, today it is the frequent site of wedding receptions and other public gatherings. Cornerstones accepted a donation of a façade easement,  which enables us to legally maintain, preserve, and protect the exterior of the structure.

Dome Building - 1892

736 Georgia Avenue

This six-story building, considered one of the architectural icons of Downtown Chattanooga, was originally the headquarters of the Chattanooga Times newspaper which was founded by Adolph S Ochs, owner of the New York Times. Cornerstones accepted a donation of a façade easement for this building, which enables Cornerstones legally to maintain, preserve, and protect the exterior of the structure.

First Congregational Church - 1905

Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Lindsay Avenue

This historically African-American church building was erected in 1905 and today remains as one of the few tangible reminders of the active community that once lined both sides of “the big 9.” As early as 1967, the tall tower on the southeast corner of the church was removed to preven debris from falling onto the sidewalk. Deterioration and a lack of repair threaten this building, which is again on the market for sale or lease.

Hair of the Dog Pub - 1900

334 Market Street

This two-story brick commercial building underwent a signifcant restoration effort before reopening in 2005 as an old English pub. Threatened by the widening of Fourth Street, Cornerstones acquired the building and stabilized the portion that remains, before ultimately transferring the property to a retail user.

Park Place School - 1924

1000 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

After serving as an elementary school from 1924 to 1950, the Park Place School was decommissioned in 1965, upon integration of the city’s public schools. Presently, this collegiate gothic revival building is in the process of being restored for use as condominiums.
Once thought too costly to preserve, Cornerstones fronted the expense of the structural and engineering reports for the building and facilitated the acquisition of the property by the current owner of the property, who is restoring it for residential use.

St. John’s Hotel - 1916

1278 Market Street

This three-story terra cotta and brick building was originally built as the Ellis Hotel. Although the building was abandoned in 1983 and originally slated for demolition, it was instead renovated and reopened in 1999 as a mixed-use structure housing restaurants, retail shops, and apartments. Joining in the revitalization of the Southside, Cornerstones acquired this property, fronted the cost and structural engineering reports, and eventually transferred the property to a developer who could return the property to productive use.

Stong Building - 1909

1470 Market Street

It began operation as the Terminal Hotel. The building had a unique triangular shape and was built by a porter who stayed at the nearby terminal station (the Chattanooga Choo-Choo). It is an important piece of Chattanooga’s African-American heritage. Today, it's a three-story restaurant, bar and micro-brewery.

Walnut Street Bridge - 1891

Also known as the “county bridge,” the Walnut Street Bridge was closed in 1978 due to its deteriorating condition. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, the bridge reopened in 1991 following a $4 million renovation, and today it is the largest pedestrian bride in the world (2,730 feet). The individuals who would eventually form Cornerstones were prominent members of the community coalition that advocated for restoration of the bridge.