The Doctors Building is located at 744 McCallie Ave.
In his role as University archivist, UC Foundation Associate Professor Noah Lasley works to acquire, arrange and describe official University of Tennessee at Chattanooga records and other valuable materials that document the University’s history and functions. His research interests include digital humanities, digital curation and archival instruction.
Lasley received a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in information science from UT Knoxville. Before joining UTC Special Collections in July 2016, he worked for several library units at UT Knoxville, including Modern Political Archives, Great Smoky Mountains Regional Project and Digital Production Area.
Chattanooga Mayor P. R. Olgiati swings a sledgehammer to begin the demolition of the five old houses on the site of the future Doctors Building. Chattanooga Times, May 8, 1955.
UTC’s acquisition of the Doctors Building in 2000 marked an important moment in the growth of campus. Located at the southwest corner of McCallie Avenue and Palmetto Street, the real estate purchase marked the University’s first expansion south across McCallie Avenue.
Planned in 1955 by Atlanta-based realtor Sam Massell Jr., the structure was originally a professional office building for physicians, surgeons, dentists and other healthcare providers. Interior spaces were outfitted with laboratory gas lines, exhaust fans, heavy-duty X-ray wiring and configured for the “Music by Muzak” system.
The architecture firm Toombs, Amisano and Wells of Atlanta designed the building, and the J. A. Jones Construction Company was the general contractor. Site preparations began in December 1955, and the building opened in early 1957.
The Doctors Building was the first in Chattanooga to be constructed using the lift-slab method—a building technique developed in the late 1940s in which the concrete floors for each story, as well as the roof, were poured around columns at ground level and then lifted into place with hydraulic jacks.
When the University bought it in 2000, the Doctors Building had a variety of tenants, including lawyers, nonprofit organizations, accountants, a dental office and a coffee shop. The University leased space in the building until approximately 2023.
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Bibliography
“Builder is Soon to ‘Raise the Roof’ at Doctors’ Structure on McCallie.” Chattanooga Times. June 15, 1956.
“Doctors Building at Digging Stage.” Chattanooga Times, December 8, 1955.
McDonald, Emily. “Doctors Building Aids UTC’s Move to South.” Chattanooga Times Free Press, June 10, 2000.
Pare, Mike. “Doctors Building in downtown Chattanooga could become UTC housing, parking.” Chattanooga Times Free Press, February 15, 2023.
Shearer, John. “Threatened Doctors Building Full of Unique History.” Chattanoogan.com, February 17, 2023. https://www.chattanoogan.com/2023/2/17/464336/John-Shearer-Threatened-Doctors.aspx.
“Wrecking Starts for New Building.” Chattanooga Times, May 8, 1955.
Schneider, Fred. “New Doctors’ Building on McCallie May Be Begun Within Two Months.” Chattanooga Times, April 30, 1955.
The concrete slabs for each floor of the Doctors Building after being lifted into position. Chattanooga Times, August 2, 1956.
The cleared site at the southwest corner of McCallie Avenue and Palmetto Street awaits construction of the Doctors Building in December 1955. The building, completed in 1957, became UTC’s first expansion south across McCallie Avenue after the University acquired it in 2000. Chattanooga Times, Dec. 8, 1955.
Doctors Building open house invitation. Chattanooga Times, March 30, 1957.
