Blog: City Blog

Construction of Marble Alley Lofts Downtown Expected to Be Finished in December

Crews continue constructing Marble Alley Lofts, downtown's first large-scale new construction in decades.

Crews this week continue constructing Marble Alley Lofts, downtown's first large-scale new residential construction in years.

Downtowners noticed last summer's ground-breaking and early site preparation. They've watched the dramatic rise of the five-story buildings, covering a complete city block between Central and State streets.

With a much-anticipated arrival, downtown Knoxville’s newest apartments are just months away from completion.

Marble Alley Lofts, a 248-unit upscale mid-rise apartment complex, is pre-leasing apartments. Construction of the complex is expected to be completed in December, with its grand opening soon to follow.

“This is some of the first new large-scale downtown construction in many years, which is a very exciting thing,” says Rick Emmett, the City’s Downtown Coordinator. “This area has been a bit of a no-man’s-land for so long - we’re thrilled to have people living and working in this part of downtown. It's smart, strategically-located infill redevelopment.”

Marble Alley represents a much-needed connection between the activity and energy on Gay Street and Market Square and the surge of redevelopment in the Old City. These apartments, positioned between those two areas, will provide continuity and fill in a big gap in the downtown map, Emmett says.

Each Marble Alley apartment features granite countertops, hardwood-inspired plank flooring, walk-in closets, a balcony and 9-foot ceilings. Other amenities include a salt water pool, grilling areas, a courtyard, a 24-hour fitness center and a clubhouse.

To supplement the private investment, the City will be making Streetscape upgrades to State Street, Central Street and Commerce Avenue - new, wider sidewalks; tree plantings and landscaping; additional parking spaces; and new street lighting.

The upgrades will benefit more than the hundreds of Marble Alley residents; the attractive street amenities also will create a more attractive pedestrian corridor from Gay Street to the Old City.

To allow for smoother traffic flow, State Street will be converted from a one-way to a two-way street. (Anticipate some closures of State Street as the project reaches its final stages.)

Interested in becoming one of the first residents of Marble Alley? If so, contact the Marble Alley office at 865-773-6087 or visit the mobile leasing office located near the corner of Union Avenue and State Street.

Workers add finishing touches to the balconies on the State Street side of the new apartment complex.

Workers add finishing touches to the balconies on the State Street side of the new apartment complex.

This crew is working on the balconies on the State Street side of the new apartment complex.

The construction of Marble Alley has changed the city's skyline. This is the view approaching downtown from the east off Summit Hill Drive.

The construction of Marble Alley Lofts has changed the city's skyline. This is the view approaching downtown from the east off Summit Hill Drive.

Lanes are intermittently closed on Central Street to accommodate the construction of Marble Alley Lofts.

Marble Alley Lofts construction is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2015.

(Photos and text by Communications Intern Sarah Marshall. Thanks, Sarah!)

Posted by evreeland On 29 September, 2015 at 3:51 PM