KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Cranes, bulldozers and dirt line the sides of Cumberland Avenue as developers continue transforming the Strip.
Three apartment buildings and a parking garage are currently under construction. Plans for at least two additional ones are in the works.
Union Knoxville is set to open in the fall of 2024, according to its website. Greystar Development said the project will have more than 700 beds, as well as an outside courtyard, swimming pool, fitness center, study rooms, computer rooms, gaming room, lounge area and fire pit.
The Hub on Campus project features four apartment buildings and a parking garage, totaling more than 800 apartments. Two of them are already being constructed.
"Hub on Campus brings much-needed housing in a big way, and more apartments eases both the citywide shortage and the University of Tennessee’s shortage,” said Mayor Indya Kincannon in February. “Increased housing availability drives down rent prices citywide."
In February, crews demolished the former Shell station, as well as the block of businesses Jimmy Johns, University Liquors and Stefano's Pizza to make room for two new buildings.
Original plans submitted by the Hub on Campus project showed a third building on the current sites of Mellow Mushroom and the strip mall with the Cookout offices. A more recent version, however, suggests it will replace the block of businesses with the original Copper Cellar location instead.
The planning document shows construction could start in the spring of 2024 and finish by June 2026. It would not include Half Barrel or the Regions Bank, according to the document.
Across the street, developers intend to construct a fourth building where Panera Bread and Yesterday's Bar are currently located. The list of purchased and pending properties does not include Taco Bell.