Vintage Cal

In the past decade, the downtown Knoxville footprint has seen a notable increase in the number of new commercial developments within its outline. The result has been a corresponding jump in the number of people choosing to not only work but also live in the heart of the city. And while the demand for new residential properties still outweighs the supply, projects like Vintage Cal continue to fill the pipeline, giving aspiring downtown residents more options for living, working and playing.

Scheduled to begin construction in spring 2025 and with a target completion date of 2027, Vintage Cal is designed to help meet the housing shortage with 167 luxury apartment units, 15 of which are being classified as workforce housing. Its location will be the current open lot between Marble Alley Lofts and the State Street Garage.

The multi-building, six-story complex will consist primarily of residential units, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments, all geared to appeal to diverse demographics. Each unit is designed to maximize space, natural light and urban views.

The ground floor will be a mixed-use level featuring both apartment units and office rentals. The square footage at the corner of State Street and Union Avenue will be dedicated to a coffee shop. Other amenities include a fitness center, leasing office and two sky gardens — elevated open-air patios on the east and west sides that look out over James White Parkway toward the Great Smoky Mountains.

Knoxville-based architectural partners — Smee + Busby Architects and McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects, Inc.— have incorporated energy-efficient systems and sustainable building materials to minimize the project’s environmental footprint. A below-ground parking garage (residents only) will meet the demands of urban density while also preserving the aesthetics and functionality of the buildings’ street-level experience.

One unique aspect of Vintage Cal is its streetscape, which is designed to foster social interaction and engagement between residents and the community. This ensures convenient access to amenities and transportation options while also contributing to the economic vitality of downtown.

"Activating the street level was important to us,” says Nathan Honeycutt of McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects, Inc. “Residents will be able to interact with the shops, and the units have front porches to help create a sense of community. Those design moves are important for enhancing the urban fabric in any project in downtown Knoxville."

Another unique element of the residential units is their pricing structure; rents will be capped at no more than one-third of the tenant’s income.

"The goal is to make sure that the development is acceptable to all socioeconomic groups,” says Scott Busby of Smee + Busby Architects.

Vintage Cal — named after Cal Johnson, a formerly enslaved man who went on to become a business and real estate pioneer in downtown Knoxville — is being developed by Goss Design Development of Knoxville and TDK Construction and Development of Murfreesboro, TN. Goss Design was also responsible for the adjacent Marble Alley project.

"The housing shortage downtown is real,” Busby explains. “We wanted to activate that part of town that doesn’t currently have as much of the pedestrian commercial walkability.

Honeycutt notes that Goss Design teaming up with an out-of-town partner like TDK is indicative of downtown Knoxville’s commercial appeal.

"The Knoxville market is strong and attractive to developers right now,” he says. “They’re coming here because the demand outweighs the inventory in a pretty big way.”

Busby adds that having a local developer on the team also has its advantages.

"It was important for Buzz that the design and construction of Vintage Cal stay local, to keep the jobs and dollars here,” he says. “We appreciate the city’s support in advocating for that. Not only do locals have the expertise, but we have the connections, we know the codes and zoning laws, and we can streamline things for the partners who do come in from out of town.”

Learn more about other recent projects contributing to the growth of Downtown Knoxville.