Having lived in East Knox County 1973-1992 and State Senate District 6 since 1973—back when I was just 6 or 7 years old—I’ve seen a lot change along Magnolia Avenue. For decades, I watched three classic brick apartment buildings just west of McDonald’s and Krystal (now Little Caesars) stand tall through the ups and downs of time.

Through the 70s and 80s, those buildings were solid, but by the late 90s and early 2000s, “run down” was putting it kindly. They eventually closed—though I can’t pinpoint exactly when.

Fast-forward to 2025, and local developer Jeffrey Nash saw promise where others saw decay. He acquired the three buildings and one additional property across the street. Yesterday, July 3rd, marked the grand opening of the first transformation: The Shenandoah, the westernmost building.

Now home to 24 condos—six per floor across four stories—these spaces blend historical character with modern comfort. With original 1929 hardwood flooring and preserved architectural details like the metal trim separating unit floors from hallway tile, they’re full of charm. The units range from 2-bedroom, 1-bath to 2-bedroom, 2-bath layouts, priced from $290,000 to $305,000.

The center building is expected to open this fall, with the easternmost building—The Ashton—scheduled for completion this winter.

Interested in a piece of Knoxville history, reimagined for today? Contact Wallace Real Estate Downtown for a tour and pricing.