Knoxville, Tennessee, is an excellent destination to settle down in because of its low living costs, many lakes and rivers, educational facilities, and more. With its many historic spots, thriving art scene, recreational parks and downtown business spaces, the city offers a unique blend of urban and rural atmosphere. Knoxville has a solid economy, a burgeoning job market, and a diverse economy that includes energy, financial services, and telecommunications. The Tennessee Valley Authority, Regal Cinemas, Pilot Flying J, Team Health, and Tennessee Valley Authority are all located there.

As the city grows, construction and development are on the rise, with many enterprises establishing their businesses and commercial spaces in the area. This article features some of the best retail contractors in Knoxville, Tennessee. These companies were assessed on their abilities, expertise, accolades, and attractive portfolios.


Merit Construction

10435 Dutchtown Rd., Knoxville, TN 37932

Merit Construction was established in 1982 in Knoxville, Tennessee, to provide general contracting and construction management. With nearly four decades of experience, the firm has established itself as a leading contractor with its ability to deliver outstanding commercial, institutional, and industrial projects. The firm aims for excellence in every project by using inventive building processes, cost-effective solutions, and cutting-edge technology. With its client-centered practices, the firm has showcased its impressive quality and superior professionalism by consistently delivering a seamless and simplified building process that produces high-quality projects on time and on budget. The firm has many delighted clients who can attest to its exceptional quality.

The Renaissance Office Park in Farragut, Tennessee, is one of the firm’s notable projects. On a 29-acre property fronting Kingston Pike, the project includes seven office and retail buildings. The buildings are designed to resemble a 19th-century city and are named after Renaissance-era painters, sculptors, and other artisans such as Alberti, Bellini, Castagno, Donatello, Elyot, and Galileo.


Jenkins & Stiles

10617 Deerbrook Dr., Knoxville, TN 37922

Founded in 2006, Jenkins & Stiles is a full-service construction firm that has completed successful projects in over twenty-five states. The firm has been in business for fifteen years and is committed to delivering high-quality workmanship, outstanding service, creative design and building techniques, and cost-efficient solutions in every assignment. It specializes in building quality commercial and specialty projects that have been completed on time and within budget, consistently exceeding expectations. Regardless of project size, scope, and complexity, the firm has demonstrated its capacity to achieve great results through its expert team that brings years of experience and expertise to the construction industry.

With its impressive quality and exceptional projects, the firm has been featured in many publications such as Knox News. This featured project is one of the firm’s notable works that showcase its ability to exceed client expectations. The Vertex Shopping Center is located beside lululemon, Anthropologie, and Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop. The project features retail spaces that range from 1,300 square feet to 6,000 square feet, which serves as a perfect location for a unique restaurant with an adjoining patio and upscale retail and fashion. 


Creative Structures, Inc.

3208 Tazewell Pike Suite 103, Knoxville, TN 37918

Creative Structures, Inc. is a full-service general contractor that has offered quality construction projects in the Southeast since 1983. Over the years, the firm has consistently delivered high-quality projects for clients, on time and on budget. It employs a unique design-build method that provides an integrated, team approach with its stakeholders to guarantee each client’s satisfaction. The firm has proven its ability to deliver a smooth client experience by being flexible, accountable, accessible, and actively involved in every project. The firm has built long-lasting relationships with the best subcontractors and vendors in the area. 

The Aldi Food Store in Knoxville, Tennessee, was built by Creative Structures. The structural load-bearing metal stud walls, steel columns and beams, and steel roof joists were used to build this retail store, covering 17,745 square feet. The building’s façade is simple and elegant, with brick veneer, a clear anodized aluminum storefront system, and trims. Creative Structures enabled the owner to establish an early opening date by completing the project ahead of schedule.


RTC General Contractors

10425 Cogdill Rd. Suite 100, Knoxville, TN 37932

RTC General Contractors has established an excellent portfolio of over 2000 projects worth $700 million since its founding in 1981. With forty years of extensive construction experience, the firm has built exceptional projects in various industries, including retail, restaurant, office, healthcare, finance, and automotive. Its strive for excellence, devotion to quality, and capacity to meet the needs and wants of its clients has earned its reputation as a leading contractor in the Southeast area. The firm employs an integrated and quality-oriented approach to ensure effective projects that continually surpass expectations. It is dedicated to thoroughly understanding and interpreting clients’ thoughts and ambitions into actual spaces that meet their demands and needs.

The firm has earned several accolades with its impressive craftsmanship, including the Best Builders Award from the Associated General Contractors of Vermont in 2015. One of the firm’s notable projects is the Sportsman Acres in Kodak, Tennessee. The firm completed this 25,000-square-foot retail center located directly next to the Bass Pro Shop.


George W. Reagan Company

1700 Grainger Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917

The George W. Reagan Company is a Knoxville, Tennessee-based general contractor founded in 1934. The firm supplies qualified workers and excellent materials to meet and surpass the owners’ expectations regardless of project size, from huge distribution centers to small retail jobs. The firm is backed by a team of skilled designers and builders dedicated to providing one-of-a-kind solutions that reflect each client’s own ideas and ambitions. It provides a meticulous, hands-on approach to completing all projects on time and within budget. The firm has a lengthy record of delighted clients who serve as a testament to its high quality by providing the latest hardware, scheduling, technology, and equipment.

The firm served as the general contractor for the Village at Parkside Retail Shops in Knoxville, Tennessee. The structure consists of a reinforced concrete slab, masonry block, structural steel beam and columns, steel joist, and roof deck covering. The insulating finish technique and brick and prairie stone masonry add curb appeal to the exterior elevations.


Stethen-Smith Construction

7682 Oak Ridge Hwy., Knoxville, TN 37931

In 1989, Stethen Construction Company and Smith Constructors merged to form Stethen-Smith Construction, quickly gaining a reputation as a prominent contractor in East Tennessee. Over the years, the firm has stayed committed to quality, excellence, and exceptional customer service. It has built trust-based relationships with clients, subcontractors, and trade partners to assure extraordinary projects that exceed expectations. About 30% of the work is self-performed by the company, which considerably improves job productivity and helps to eliminate bottlenecks. It has maintained a high-quality group of superintendents and craftsmen with extensive experience in all building areas over the years.

The firm is accredited with several well-known publications, including the National Association of Church Design Builders (NACDB) and Certified Church Consultants (CCC). This featured project is the Walgreens branch in Maryville, Tennessee. Walgreens Pharmacy has partnered with the firm to establish approximately 20 Walgreens stores across different counties in East Tennessee.


Citadel Construction

1866 Country Meadows Dr., Sevierville, TN 37862

Citadel Construction focuses on delivering commercial construction and restoration services with its exceptional team of high-skilled professionals. Large-scale amusements and attractions, hotels, restaurants, financial institutions, civic and municipal centers, retail and commercial facilities are all part of its outstanding portfolio. The firm has been dedicated to excellence throughout the years by regularly delivering projects on time and of the best quality through its commitment to a seamless and pleasant experience and long-lasting partnerships. To respond uniquely to each customer’s needs, the firm applies client-centered processes and problem-solving approaches. It has a lengthy list of delighted clients demonstrating outstanding quality, workmanship, and innovative solutions.

This featured project is the Boot Factory on Winfield Dunn Parkway, where Citadel Construction performed general contracting services for retail space. For an authentic retail experience, the freestanding, one-story building was completed in a country-western concept.


Rouse Construction

11121 Kingston Pike Suite G, Knoxville, TN 37934

Rouse Construction is a Knoxville, Tennessee-based commercial and industrial general contracting firm that provides a single-source solution to its clients. From pre-construction to post-construction, the firm handles every little detail with a meticulous, personalized, and hands-on approach. It is dedicated to providing each client with quality contracting services that maintain deadlines and schedules at the most cost-effective price. It has a team of high-skilled designers, builders, and construction managers passionate about delivering exceptional spaces that guarantee satisfaction and exceed expectations. 

This featured project is a perfect example of the firm’s impressive quality. This project’s exterior design features clean, white walls and large windows that bring a light and airy feel to the space. The firm used wooden accents to add visual interest to the building.