20130926

BUTTERFLY

These things are, in my opinion, some of the best examples of corporate architecture Knoxville has ever produced. Elegant in form, perfectly suited for the double drive-in concept, Weigel's used a unique piece of architecture to instantly identify their brand.




















This particular store, according to their site, was Weigel's Store No. 7, one of the first butterfly roof stores that opened in 1960.

Unfortunately, Weigel's moved on to more prosaic (but probably more profitable) gas station design.
Weirdly, they still have the cantilevered roof that echoes the old butterfly on their current stores, but with a giant stucco crown molding stuck onto it. Talk about postmodern...























Only a few butterfly roof Weigel's are left, converted into new uses. As far as I'm aware, there's one on Whittle Springs Road (pictured above), Magnolia Ave., and the Smoothie King in Bearden. Do you guys know of any others?

coordinates: 36.002629,-83.912327



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2 comments :

  1. Casey12:19 PM EDT

    Man, those roofs are where it's at. Isn't there another one way, way down Kingston Pike, like almost to Watt Rd?

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    Replies
    1. ck1:28 PM EDT

      Sort of. The one I think you're referring to has a similar aesthetic with a shed roof. It seems to be the missing link between the butterfly stores and the current ones.

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