MAC on Fifth is mixed use development
A new five-story building on the Fifth Avenue site of MAC Auto Loans will offer 134 residential units. With a nod toward history, the new development will be called MAC on Fifth. Leaders broke ground on August 5, 2026.
The residential units will include 14 designated as workforce housing and 10 as live/work units along with roughly 2,300 square feet of retail space on the ground floor along Fifth Avenue and Williams Street.
MAC on Fifth view from Broadway
Plans call for 50 studio, 68 one-bedroom and 16 two-bedroom units. The 14 workforce units will be rented to qualified applicants with incomes up to 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). In Knoxville, that is up to $79,500 for a family of four. The property also includes six ADA units, three of which are live/work units, offering several accessible options.
MAC on Fifth is being co-developed by Bluedog Capital Partners, based in Providence, Rhode Island, and Knoxville-based Dominion Group.
Sarah Harris, chief investment officer for Bluedog, is a Knoxville native. “This development will help bridge the gap between the Old City and Happy Holler,” she said. “It offers an attractive place for makers, designers and others to live and work.”
Breaking ground are: Matthew DeBardelaben and Denzel Grant, city council; Mayor Indya Kincannon; Ben Bentley, KCDC; Sarah Harris, Richard Tasca, Abbi Wright, Drew Milsaps and Kevin Maloof of Bluedog Capital Partners; Peter Hall, Dominion Group; John Sanders of Sanders Pace Architecture; David Strange, Walker & Dunlop; and Ben Tullis of Empire Construction.
Peter Hall, president of Dominion Group, said developers “have been intentional in preserving the historic significance of this corridor and designing a building that seamlessly fits into the fabric of what is becoming a dynamic neighborhood and maker district.”
Mayor Indya Kincannon said “MAC on Fifth recognizes the high demand for new housing in the heart of our city.” She called it “a thoughtful project that supports our creative community and strengthens downtown as a vibrant place to live, work and create.”
Financing for MAC on Fifth is provided by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 221(d)(4) construction loan, which facilitates new construction for multifamily rental units; Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) incentives from the city of Knoxville; and Walker & Dunlop commercial real estate financing.
Local project partners include Sanders Pace Architecture, ISA, Empire Construction, Haines Structural Group, C2RL Inc., Engineering Services Group (ESG), Hedstrom Design, KWI Interiors and Robin Easter Design, who will repurpose the MAC Auto Loans sign as a blade sign.
Thanks to Catherine Howell for providing information and quotes.
Strawberry Meadows sells for $24.4 million
Jay Benson
PWA Properties has closed the $24.4 million sale of Strawberry Meadows Townhomes, an 85-unit Class A rental community in Knox County, Tennessee.
“Strawberry Meadows is a prime example of why PWA Properties believes in the long-term growth of East Tennessee,” said CEO Jay Benson. “Despite skepticism from lenders, our multifamily team and the seller/ developer bet that this part of Knoxville was ready for premium rental housing. This development and sale proved that vision right.”
The seller, who also served as the project’s general contractor, invested in his family’s future in Strawberry Meadows from the start. After relocating to Tennessee, the family lived on-site and worked alongside crews to help build the community, even demolishing their own home to make room for additional townhome units, Benson said.
As Nick McBride reports, Knoxville Investors I LLC and Knoxville Investors II LLC purchased Strawberry Meadows Townhomes for a whopping $24.4 million. Eddie D & C Investments LLC was the seller.
This may change with new owners, but online posts indicate rent for a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhouse with 1,440 square feet plus garage is $2,080 per month with utilities and trash service separate. No on-site manager. Use this link to arrange a showing.
When Strawberry Meadows was first proposed, many questioned whether the Strawberry Plains community could support a Class A rental townhome community commanding premium rents. While some lenders remained skeptical, the seller believed Knoxville’s rapid growth would create demand for a higher-end rental product, and PWA Properties’ multifamily team shared that vision, said Benson.
One cannot argue with a $24.4 million sale for 85 units – $287K per unit. That it is in Strawberry Plains just makes it sweeter.
Notes & quotes
Election day is today (8/6/26) in the state of Tennessee. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Knox County and Farragut. If you are unsure where to vote, check the Election Commission here.
Powell’s 12th annual Travis Wegener Memorial Car Show and a disc golf tournament will be at Powell High School on Saturday, August 8. No admission charge to walk through and watch.
Cars for Canines will be Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST at Melton Lake Park. Sponsored by Explore Oak Ridge, the classic car show will benefit Oak Ridge Animal Shelter and Anderson County Humane Society. Food trucks, live entertainment, low-cost microchipping and rabies vaccinations. Free admission for spectators. Pets on leashes or in carriers welcomed. Info here.
Back-to-school is sooner than you think: Monday, August 3, was the first day for Knox County teachers; Friday, August 7, is orientation for sixth and nineth graders; Monday, August 10, is first day for students (half day). 2026-27 school calendar here.
Farragut Band Boosters yard sale will be Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 8 a.m. until noon at Farragut High School. Info on donations: kristin.ricciuto@farragutband.org/.
Quote: “When the missionaries came to Africa, they had the Bible and we had the land. They said, ‘Let us pray.’ We closed our eyes. When we opened them, we had the Bible and they had the land.” – Desmond Tutu, South African religious leader.
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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes daily at KnoxTNToday – the Let’s Talk series includes topics of law, neighbors, schools, leaders and outdoors. Enjoyed this article? Read more Let’s Talk – Leaders by Sandra Clark.
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