Townhomes Approved for Former St. Mary's Hospital Site in Knoxville

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After years of planning and neighborhood debate, the Knoxville Design Review Board has approved plans for new townhomes on the northern edge of the former St. Mary's Hospital campus. This marks a major milestone in the redevelopment of the roughly 30-acre site, which also includes plans to preserve the original 1929 hospital building for senior housing and add additional multifamily units.

Why it matters

The redevelopment of the St. Mary's Hospital campus is a significant project for the Oakwood-Lincoln Park neighborhood, as it will transform a long-vacant site into new housing and community spaces. While some residents have expressed concerns about increased density and traffic, the plan aims to balance preservation of historic structures with new residential development.

The details

The approved townhome plans are part of a larger redevelopment vision led by the Knoxville Community Development Corp. (KCDC) and a private development team. In addition to the townhomes, the plan calls for preserving the original 1929 hospital building for senior housing, adding more multifamily units, and creating new green spaces. The city has already invested in turning part of the former hospital into a Public Safety Complex while stabilizing historic structures to prepare for private redevelopment.

• The Design Review Board approved the townhome plans at its April 15, 2026 meeting.
• The former St. Mary's Hospital campus has been vacant for several years, with redevelopment plans in the works for over a decade.

What’s next

The townhome project will still need to go through additional zoning approvals, utility coordination, and building permit processes before construction can begin. Interested neighbors will have more opportunities to provide feedback as the project moves forward.