While developers believe they've got everything a luxury condo owner would want from granite countertops to Tennessee notched hickory floors, what makes Cityview at Riverwalk work might be the one thing construction crews can't build:
The Tennessee River.
"Our response already has been fantastic," Kimberly Dixon-Hamilton of Downtown Realty said. "We've had 3 contracts, we had our first closing this past Friday for one of the most expensive condos in the development."
No surprise to her, all three of those buyers under contract bought boat slips at the development's marina as well.
Officially, the development hasn't even started their marketing blitz.
Cityview at Riverwalk is the first major private development as part of Knoxville's South Waterfront Vision Plan.
The idea is to build up the area opposite campus and downtown where the old Knoxville Glove Company used to be and Baptists Hospital's old site.
"I absolutely believe this development is a catalyst for future development," Dixon-Hamilton said.
There's no denying the city and investors like Jim Clayton have a lot riding on Cityview's success.
Half of the projects 122 units were pre-sold in 2006. The owner at that time was then foreclosed on.
Clayton, the former CEO of Clayton Homes and Denark Construction CEO Raja Jubran bought the property, made some upgrades, and now have the development nearly ready for move-in.
It's the final step in the first major project along the river. A high profile development with a lot of eyes watching and its fair share of risk.
The Henley Bridge is likely to be closed for several years for construction and the immediate area south of the development is mostly older, industrial type lots.
"We know what that's like, we know tastes can change and who knows what's going to happen to the economy tomorrow," Clayton said.
Clayton and Dixon-Hamilton hope projects like the Henley construction are proof the city and state are dedicated to the area. Their investment could show potential condo owners the area will succeed and become an extension of a vibrant downtown.
Units start at $175,000 and work up into the high $400s. The development itself features a club room, courtyard with outdoor fireplaces, and a view of downtown and Neyland Stadium.
"An independent appraiser conducted an appraisal for us and they found the fair market value to be even more than the list price," Dixon-Hamilton.
As other communities have shown, riverfront development can set off a spark of investment. It's something the city of Knoxville and Clayton are hoping Cityview can do for Knoxville.
"This will be a center point and we'll all remember that CityView and other investments started it all," Clayton said.