The hotel building is a fully renovated modern space, but its soul is a nostalgic treasure, which makes a visit to Graduate Knoxville more of an experience than a hotel stay. For Ben Weprin, Graduate Hotels CEO and founder, this property was as much of a passion project as it was for Manning. Weprin graduated from UT a few years after Manning, and the two have invested in other ventures together. Guest room, Graduate Knoxville Graduate HotelsWhen asked why it took so many years to finally open a Graduate Knoxville (this is the brand’s 22nd property), Weprin explains, “We were waiting on this specific property—we wanted to be in the university’s center of gravity so we targeted this location.” And, Manning was the perfect pairing. He loved his professors, his friends, and working on this hotel really unlocked all of the reasons why he loved it.

Source: Forbes August 10, 2020 20:48 UTC