Alcoa is changing in a big way, and it is happening right in Springbrook Farm. Whether you live nearby or you are thinking about moving to Blount County, it is natural to wonder how a new town center will affect your day-to-day life and your home plans. In this guide, you will learn what is open, what is coming, and what it could mean for your property search or sale. Let’s dive in.
What is Springbrook Farm?
Springbrook Farm is a long-planned, mixed-use redevelopment of the former ALCOA West Plant that the city envisions as Alcoa’s town center. City documents outline a walkable mix of retail, restaurants, offices, housing, hotels, parks, trails, and civic space across a large footprint, with environmental guidelines shaping how it builds out over time. According to the City of Alcoa, the project area is large and varies by source, generally ranging from the mid 200s to 360 plus acres as different parcels are counted and phased. You can review the city’s Master-Vision details, design guidelines, and constraints in the official Springbrook Farm materials on the City of Alcoa’s project page.
What’s open now and what’s next
Recent anchors and activity
A new 54,000-square-foot Food City at 1388 Tesla Blvd. serves as a key daily anchor and has been a visible early milestone for the site, according to local coverage of the groundbreaking and opening timeline (Food City coverage). Restaurant announcements include a Texas Roadhouse highlighted by developer updates (Texas Roadhouse announcement). Hospitality is taking shape too, with recent openings of Hilton-branded hotels noted in community reporting that tracks the town center’s evolution (hotels overview).
On the residential side, Vital at Springbrook brought 300 resort-style apartments online with first move-ins in August 2023, adding studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms plus amenities like a pool and fitness center (Vital at Springbrook details). In 2024, medical and office momentum continued when Covenant Health purchased roughly 12 acres within Springbrook for future development, signaling long-term demand for health services in the area (Covenant Health land purchase).
The bigger picture and scale
Developer and marketing materials commonly describe the town center’s commercial potential as nearly 400,000 square feet of retail and around 200,000 square feet of office, while some listings show higher total potential depending on how parcels are counted. These figures vary as leasing and entitlement evolve, so consider them a range rather than a fixed cap (buildout ranges noted by the developer).
The vision: walkability, greenspace, and farm-to-table
City plans emphasize sidewalks, parks, and greenways that connect into the broader Alcoa–Maryville network, as well as proximity to US-129 and McGhee Tyson Airport for easy regional access (City of Alcoa plan). A unique feature is the planned agrihood component, which includes a professional farm and a farmers market concept that can supply local restaurants and host community events. For many buyers, that mix of fresh-food access and outdoor space is a major quality-of-life draw (agrihood overview).
What it means for buyers
- More choices: You get added housing options, from apartments to future townhomes and single-family products, which can open doors at different price points and timelines.
- Everyday convenience: Living near grocery, dining, trails, parks, and future medical services can reduce drive times and boost quality of life.
- Airport and commuter access: Quick routes to US-129 and McGhee Tyson Airport can be a plus for frequent flyers and commuters. Visit the area at different times to understand traffic patterns as phases come online.
- Sound and traffic awareness: With nearby airport operations and growing retail, plan a few visits during peak hours to gauge aircraft noise and traffic flow, then factor that into your home search.
What it means for sellers
- Rising convenience appeal: New amenities often draw more showings and a wider buyer pool that values walkability and access. That can support demand over time as more anchors open.
- Changing comps: As new rental and for-sale product arrives, comparable sales may shift. Watch absorption and leasing at nearby projects to set realistic list pricing and timelines.
- Timing strategy: Consider listing around visible milestones, like the opening of a major retail or medical tenant, to capture renewed interest.
Key risks and unknowns to watch
- Brownfield constraints: The site carries environmental considerations that influence where and how future phases build. This can affect timelines and infrastructure placement (City of Alcoa plan).
- Phasing and pace: The project is multi-year and moves with the market. Local reporting has tracked progress since 2021 to 2024 and notes that buildout will continue over several years, depending on economic conditions and tenant demand (timeline reporting).
- Traffic and roadwork: New retail and housing bring more cars. Road improvements are planned but may not arrive all at once, so expect short-term congestion during construction.
- Conflicting numbers: You will see different acreage and square-footage figures. Treat them as ranges and confirm the latest details with city documents and current leasing updates.
How to plan your move
- If you are buying: Map your daily routes and visit during peak hours. Walk the greenway connections and check proximity to parks, groceries, and future medical services. Ask about any covenants or design guidelines that could affect future changes.
- If you are selling: Track nearby openings and active construction. Price with current comps and consider how new amenities may change buyer demand in your immediate area.
- For everyone: Verify what is open now versus planned by checking the official marketing site and city updates. Start with the project’s public-facing hub to see the latest milestones (Springbrook Farm site).
If you want local, construction-informed guidance on buying or selling near Springbrook Farm, reach out to Brandon Crawford for a clear, no-pressure plan tailored to your goals.
FAQs
What is Springbrook Farm and why does it matter to Alcoa?
- It is a mixed-use redevelopment of the former ALCOA West Plant that the city plans as a walkable town center with shops, dining, housing, parks, and civic space, which can shape convenience, traffic, and housing choices for nearby neighborhoods.
What is open at Springbrook Farm right now?
- Early anchors include the Food City grocery, new apartments at Vital at Springbrook, Hilton-branded hotels, and announced restaurants like Texas Roadhouse; always verify current openings on the project’s official site.
How big is the development and how long will it take?
- City and developer sources show a footprint ranging from the mid 200s to 360 plus acres, with phased buildout over several years that follows market conditions and infrastructure progress.
Will Springbrook Farm raise or lower nearby home values?
- New amenities often support demand and neighborhood appeal, but effects vary by location, timing, and overall market trends; price with current comps and watch absorption of new nearby housing.
What should I check before buying near the town center?
- Visit at different times to assess traffic and aircraft noise, walk the greenways and parks, review any covenants or design guidelines, and confirm what is open now versus planned with city and project sources.
