New Developments in Oak Ridge, TN: Building a Better City
Matthew Varney doesn’t just build new developments in Oak Ridge – he lives there, too. “I’m not just a developer and owner. I’m also their neighbor,” says Varney, an Oak Ridge developer who lives in Forest Creek Village, a 255-acre development his company is building that will eventually hold around 250 homes.
In recent years, Oak Ridge, home to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex, has seen a resurgence of people wanting to live in the same city where they work. For local developers with East Tennessee roots, this growing trend brings an opportunity to build with the purpose of helping to shape the future of their community.
Varney and other local developers, such as Josh Sanderson of Smithbilt Homes and R.G. (Rick) Chinn Jr. of R&R Properties, are committed to that mission.
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Live and Work (and Play!) in Oak Ridge
Smithbilt Homes, a family-owned company, has built affordable homes in Knoxville and surrounding counties since the 1950s. Owner Josh Sanderson emphasizes his company’s pride in helping customers transition from starter homes to larger residences as their families grow.
One of the company’s signature projects is The Preserve, a 1,400-acre master-planned community, which attracts all generations with its diverse price points. Amenities include an outdoor pool, tennis and pickleball courts, walking trails, and a golf course called The Patch. Plus, residents enjoy access to the waterfront with a boat launch and community marina.
“We build new homes in a price point that Oak Ridge was missing, which has greatly impacted the population of Oak Ridge over the past seven years,” Sanderson says. “We are building homes that the local workforce can afford, which encourages more people to live, work and play in Oak Ridge.”
Sanderson notes that Oak Ridge’s population growth has drawn more builders and developers, increasing buyer demand. Smithbilt is dedicated to crafting homes that not only reflect today’s market trends but also offer enduring value and desirability for homeowners.
“We hope to see the Oak Ridge community continue to grow, encouraging more builders to come to this area and share the same vision we have,” Sanderson says. “We have already seen an increase in commercial and retail being developed – so all positive signs for the future of Oak Ridge.”
A Positive Vision for Growth
Chinn’s partner at R&R Properties is his brother, Ryan. Growing up in Oak Ridge, they are driven by a shared aim to positively impact their hometown.
The company has developed nearly 1 million square feet of space and currently manages about 250,000 square feet of commercial office space. They are also partners in over 500 multifamily housing units, with another 500 under construction, helping to meet demand for business and living space.
The brothers have developed countless impactful projects in Oak Ridge but are especially enthusiastic about developments like Main Street Lofts and Tulane Crossing.
Chinn considers his six years as vice mayor of Oak Ridge one of his greatest honors, attributing his company’s success in “improving the face of Oak Ridge” to this significant achievement.
Looking forward, Chinn envisions a future Oak Ridge where more of the workforce resides in the city and engages more deeply with the local community and its offerings.
Coming to Oak Ridge From All Over
Varney says in Forest Creek Village, about 85% of homebuyers are from outside of Tennessee. The company is seeing buyers from across the U.S., including Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, California, Texas and Florida. Nestled near the Oak Ridge Country Club, the neighborhood boasts an idyllic East Tennessee lifestyle framed by mountain views with convenient access to urban amenities
“You name it, they come here,” Varney says. “Over the last 10 years, Oak Ridge has become a place where people want to live. We have good jobs, great schools, a great quality of life, and you have less traffic.”
City Official: Smart Growth Ahead
Oak Ridge, originally established as the “Secret City” during World War II to develop the atomic bomb, experienced stagnant population growth after 1950. That trend is now changing.
“After the war, from 1950 through about 2020, the population was static, hovering around 30,000 residents for seven decades,” says Wayne Blasius, who began serving as the director of Oak Ridge Planning and Development in 2017. “However, today the population is about 33,500 and climbing.”
Blasius witnessed a modest $39 million in new building permits when he started his job. By fiscal year 2024-2025, this figure had surged to $272 million, a significant achievement for Blasius, who retired in June 2025.
“For the first time in a long time, new housing and subdivision developments are occurring, and more shopping and restaurants are being planned,” he says. “Good, smart growth is happening throughout the city.”
A recent addition to the city is the Oak Ridge Conference Center, which opened in January 2025 and is attached to the Oak Ridge Civic Center. The new 10,834-square-foot conference center can seat around 300 people.
Blasius says other plans include adding a downtown district highlighted by vibrant mixed-use developments.
“Oak Ridge has never had a downtown in its history, and one key plan is to establish a Wilson Street Corridor featuring urban-style shops, restaurants, apartments and green space,” he says. “The $100 million project is expected to begin in spring 2026.”
– Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.
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