One of Chattanooga's biggest tourist attractions has purchased the Sky Harbor Court on Lookout Mountain, rebranding the property as the Lookout Mountain RiverView Inn.
See Rock City, the mountaintop attraction opened atop Lookout Mountain, Georgia, in 1932, announced Tuesday it had purchased the 83-year-old Sky Harbor Court overlooking Chattanooga and will show off the renovated lodging facility at an open house next Monday and Tuesday from 3-7 p.m. The updated inn, located on the side of Lookout Mountain at Old Wauhatchie Pike directly below Ruby Falls, includes 10 upgraded rooms, a pool, skybox and other amenities.
Sky Harbor Court, a bed and breakfast at 2159 Old Wauhatchie Pike on Lookout Mountain, has been purchased by See Rock City."We are excited to continue to grow our hospitality business while also demonstrating our unwavering commitment to preserving the iconic history of Lookout Mountain," Rock City President Susan Harris said in a statement Tuesday. "The purchase of Sky Harbor Court, and its subsequent transformation to RiverView Inn, is fully part of that commitment, and we look forward to facilitating one-of-a-kind, immersive experiences for our guests."
The 1.3-acre complex is set above the Tennessee River on Lookout Mountain, with lodging near historic trails, allowing guests to connect with nature and with each other, according to See Rock City. The property offers views of Chattanooga and is located minutes away from Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway.
The property was listed for sale at $1.25 milion and includes 11,602 square feet of buidings, including a 2,000-square-foot home that can serve as an innkeeper's residence.
"RiverView Inn captures the nostalgia of the golden age of 'The American Road Trip' while meeting the needs of today's modern traveler," said Jonathan Humble, innkeeper for RiverView. "During this initial phase we focused on refreshing our boutique guest rooms which feature restored vintage furniture and brand new modern bathrooms."
Rock City purchased the property from Steve and Patsy Evans who served as its innkeepers for more than 20 years.
The purchase comes after Rock City sold its share of the billboard advertising company R&R Hospitality LLC earlier this year. In late 2013, See Rock City expanded beyond its mountain tourism roots to buy the Chattanooga-based ice cream maker and retailer Clumpies, which was started in 1999 by Chattanoogan Marshall Brock.
Contact staff writer Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.