KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Building activity increased four percent across Knox county last year, according to a recent Development Activity Report by Knoxville-Knox County Planning. Multi-unit residential developments led the way, growing 17 percent.
Knoxville-Knox County Planning told 6 News since 2020, it has seen more housing units permitted countywide. In fact, it said in 2025, residential approvals for subdivisions created the largest new lot inventory since before the great recession.
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According to that report, 2025 also saw a countywide shift from single to multi-unit developments. Most notably, the Icon Apartments being built on Lovell Road and Legends at Hardin Valley off Schaeffer road, which are set to bring over 500 units combined once completed.
“That shows us that we are just about on pace with supply,” said East Tennessee REALTORS’, Maria McHale. “Now one thing to note is that permits don’t necessarily equal the number of units that are added, So, you know, in this particular instance we had about 3,500 unit permits added for apartments, and typically we see about half of those actually come on to the market.”…