Project Overview

The Island is a mixed-use development constructed on an island in the middle of the Little Pigeon River in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The first phase of The Island opened in June 2013 with multiple restaurants, stores, and attractions—including a 200-foot observation wheel. The second and third phases, completed in 2014, included a dancing water feature, additional retail shops, a Margaritaville Hotel and Restaurant, and an Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine distillery. The final phase featured Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen.

The project presented many challenges to construction due to its location on an island that previously held an unfinished multi-use development. Prior to the redevelopment, Charles Blalock and Sons demolished two multi-story buildings and constructed two new bridges to improve access. During the final week of construction, Blalock Ready Mix and Charles Blalock and Sons operated nearly around the clock to supply concrete and complete site work for the project.

The centerpiece of the property is a 200-foot tall observation wheel overlooking Pigeon Forge. Foundation construction and steel erection for the wheel was performed by Charles Blalock and Sons, with Blalock Ready Mix providing concrete. Additional grading, site utilities, and parking lot/access road construction were also provided by Charles Blalock and Sons.

Since its original ground-breaking, The Island required over 30,000 yards of concrete. Blalock Ready Mix supplied all of the structural concrete for caissons, foundations, and building slabs. They also supplied precast Redi-Rock blocks for several segmental retaining walls. Extensive decorative concrete for sidewalks and building slabs was all placed by Trowel Trades and Charles Blalock and Sons. Decorative placements included colored concrete with tinted sealers, stamped concrete, and a custom-designed exposed aggregate mix utilizing 1.5-inch natural stone. In 2014, the Tennessee Concrete Association recognized the project as the Best Commercial Concrete Finishing Project for 2014 in Tennessee.