Powell’s library is about to get a very big neighbor. A new Class A apartment complex called The Sheldon is rising on West Emory Road beside the Powell Branch Library, bringing 267 units and a slate of resort-style perks to one of Knox County’s fastest-growing corridors. Construction kicked off late last year, and the developer expects to start pre-leasing in early 2027.
What’s being built
The Sheldon is planned as a seven-building community with three- and four-story apartment buildings plus two carriage homes, totaling 267 units. Residents are slated to get a resort-style pool, fitness center, pickleball court, pet spa, and electric-vehicle charging stations, according to MultifamilyBiz.
Crest Residential’s project page says the property fronts West Emory Road near I-75 and is positioned to serve Powell’s commercial corridor and North Knoxville Medical Center, Crest Residential notes. The firm also shares renderings and a more detailed amenity lineup on its site.
Where it will sit
The development site is on West Emory Road directly next to the Powell Branch Library at 330 W. Emory Road, which means future tenants will be within walking distance of the library and the nearby Collier Preserve. Knox News reported on April 15 that the complex will carry the name The Sheldon and described it as adding “housing in the hundreds” beside the branch. For the official branch details and hours, see the listing at Knox County Public Library.
Who is building it
Crest Residential is the developer behind The Sheldon and lists it in its portfolio as a 267-unit community in Powell. Local commercial brokers and property listings have been flagging Powell as one of the region’s faster-growing submarkets and a logical spot for new multifamily projects, with marketing materials highlighting the I-75 corridor and nearby employers as key demand drivers. For a snapshot of how the area is pitched to investors and tenants, see a nearby commercial listing at Matthews.
Team and timeline
Industry coverage lists Fifth Dimension Design as the architect, Cannon & Cannon as the civil engineer, Crest Building Group as the general contractor, and Carter Haston as property manager for the project, according to MultifamilyBiz. The same report notes that construction began in November 2025 and that pre-leasing is scheduled to kick off in early 2027, with one- to three-bedroom floor plans and higher-end finishes planned throughout.
Why it matters
For Powell and the rest of Knox County, The Sheldon ranks among the larger new multifamily projects along the suburban stretch and will bring hundreds of additional rental homes at a time when local leaders point to housing supply as a key priority. Neighbors and officials are likely to keep a close eye on infrastructure and traffic as the project moves through construction and into leasing.
Anyone tracking the development will find updates and visuals in the original coverage and announcement video from Knox News, along with project details and renderings at Crest Residential.
