In The News


Learn about our latest projects and read the news from Oliver Smith Realty & Development Company.

Whimsey Cookie Company Opens in Bearden

There has been a major expansion push recently with regards to cookie shops.  The national yearning for the comforting, feel-good sensation that fresh baked cookies represent is spurring demand for these retailers.  Customers are drawn to treat purchases that will...

Cookie Shop Expands

There has been a major expansion push recently with regards to cookie shops.  The national yearning for the comforting, feel-good sensation that fresh baked cookies represent is spurring demand for these retailers.  Customers are drawn to treat purchases that will...

Andrew Johnson Building Project In Trouble

  Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs announced last week that BNA Associates LLC had failed to secure the necessary funding to move forward with the development of the Andrew Johnson Building downtown.  BNA had plans for a $43 million project which would create a...

Big Plans for Kress Building

 In early May, Thomas Boyd was approached by Oliver Smith Realty and Development regarding the Kress Building in downtown Knoxville.  At the time, Boyd’s focus had been on revitalizing the Old City.  However, “after looking into it for a little bit, I just kind of...

Whimsy Cookie Company

Whimsy Cookie Company is coming to Knoxville.  The custom cookie retailer’s first Knoxville bakery will be located at 4729 Kingston Pike, across from the Bearden Kroger.  The Memphis based company began in 2006 and launched franchising opportunities in 2018.  There...

Leaving a Legacy: David Wilson

At 24, David Wilson, director of the School of Art, had only just begun thinking like an artist.  His investigations began as social interactions both in the environment and buildings slated for demolition by “setting things up and leaving them,” potentially for...

A Science Venture Firm is Moving to Gay Street

When Cocoon Resources Inc. hears about exciting new technology, the scientific venture firm invests. And Cocoon is now banking on downtown Knoxville as the home of its new Scientific Innovation Center and headquarters, which will provide space for coronavirus research...

80th Anniversary

Here at Oliver Smith Realty and Auction Company, Inc., our team is extremely excited by the fact that this year we are fortunate to be celebrating our 80th Anniversary.  Concurrent with this monumental celebration, important changes are in the process of taking place...

Soaky Mountain Water Park Nears Completion

The new $90 million, 50-acre Soaky Mountain Waterpark is making progress on construction and plans to open for the 2020 season, but the opening date is uncertain because of the coronavirus pandemic. Crews have spent the last few weeks pouring pool decks and working on...