Providence Builders of Tennessee

LEADING THE WAY

With three homes in this year’s Parade and a third consecutive Cityview Best of the Best award, Providence Builders reaffirms its place as East Tennessee’s leader in custom homebuilding

Story by Nathan Sparks
Photography by Nathan Sparks & Bruce McCamish

This year, Providence Builders celebrates its third consecutive Cityview Magazine Best of the Best Award for Custom Home Builder—Over $1 Million, a distinction that, for founders Ron and Diane Bills, feels less like a trophy than a reflection of the team behind it. “Every award we’ve ever received belongs to our team,” says Ron, whose path to homebuilding wound through a career in aerospace engineering and corporate leadership before bringing him back to Tennessee. “The designers, the project managers, the craftsmen—we just have the privilege of leading them.” That leadership is on full display this October, as Providence enters three homes into the Parade of Homes, each one an argument for why the company remains the region’s industry leader in design-build craftsmanship—a discipline in which architecture, construction, and interior design move as a single unbroken process rather than a relay of handoffs between separate firms. Of the three homes in this year’s parade, the

ief among them is a 3,792-square-foot Mountain Modern Ranch in Tennessee National, where clean geometry meets natural texture: stone, wood, and glass in careful proportion, a vaulted great room anchored by a natural stone fireplace, and a 10-foot multi-slide door that dissolves the boundary between the living room and the covered patio beyond. “We don’t draw something we can’t build beautifully,” Ron says of the design-build model that keeps architecture, construction, and interior design moving as one creative rhythm from the very first sketch. “Our plans are detailed to the millimeter. That’s how you control quality.”

People don’t choose a builder on specs alone. They choose based on trust. — Ron Bills

Inside, that precision becomes warmth under the guidance of Diane Bills and Providence interior designer Anne White, widely regarded as the area’s leading design talents. Their palette—warm woods, brushed metals, stone tones borrowed from the landscape outside—turns square footage into something lived-in rather than staged. “Our goal is to make every home not just beautiful but livable,” Anne says. “We design for how people actually live, not just how it photographs.” It is that instinct, paired with Ron’s insistence on transparency down to the last line item, that keeps clients returning to build a second home, then a third. “People don’t choose a builder on specs alone,” Ron notes. “They choose based on trust.” That same instinct for hospitality carries into the little things Providence is known for: welcome baskets delivered to neighbors before a build begins, friendships that outlast the final walkthrough. This Parade season, Providence’s three entries make the case for all of it—craftsmanship, comfort, and a decade-spanning reputation as East Tennessee’s builder of choice.

Biles Construction

The Relationship Doesn't End at Closing

From a self-built spec house to full-time custom homes.

Story by Nathan Sparks

Bill Biles builds custom homes throughout Knox County and East Tennessee, and nearly every one shares a few things in common: cost-plus pricing, a place on or near the water, and an owner still personally on-site checking details other builders miss. Biles Construction runs 8 to 10 homes a year, most in the $1 to $3 million range.

From Roofing Crews to His Own Crew

Biles started in construction young—his first job was with Redmond Construction at age 12, followed by summers roofing houses with Bay Roofing from 15 to 19. His father, a trial attorney, hoped he'd follow him into law, and Biles headed that direction through college before changing his mind his senior year. His father's response surprised him: rather than push back, he pointed out that the only other trade Biles really knew was construction, and asked if that's what he wanted instead. Biles said yes.

He earned his contractor's license in 2009 and built his first house—a roughly 2,000-square-foot spec home—entirely on his own, from buying the lot to picking the plan. It took longer than planned because he was determined not to make costly mistakes. A contractor he knew through church, Larry Jones, set him up with his first reliable vendors and subcontractors. His real turning point came soon after, when a Parade of Homes project—part spec, part custom—took off in a way none of his other early work had. He's since built somewhere between 60 and 80 homes.

Planning Before a Single Wall Goes Up

Biles doesn't design homes in-house. Instead, he partners with a small group of architects—among them Stephen Davis and Jonathan Miller—matching each client to whichever one fits best. Before design conversations even start, his team shoots drone footage and pulls a topographical survey of the lot. From there, Biles controls the footprint, layout and ergonomics while keeping the design inside the client's actual budget from day one—avoiding the common, costly trap of a finished plan that turns out to be far more than a client can afford to build.

That same planning shows up in how clients stay informed. Through UDA Construction Online, clients get a direct login to their schedule, selections, budget and daily progress photos. Every Friday, they receive drone video of the exterior along with video and photos of the interior. Project managers are on-site every day, typically running two to four jobs at once depending on complexity and location.

We're not just building brick and mortar. We're building memories for these people. — Bill BIles

A Business Built on Long Relationships

Working in select subdivisions—like the Gates at Franklin, 25 homes at $1 million and up—gives Biles volume-purchasing leverage on cabinets, flooring and premium appliances that he extends to his one-off custom clients too. "It's all about relationships," he says. "When you build that relationship and you're putting food on their table, they're going to reward you back." A typical build runs 10 to 14 months, and Biles aims for less than a page of punch-list items at move-in, with 30 days to close those out and 60 for anything found later.

Most of his clients—by his estimate, 95 percent—are baby boomers, empty nesters and retirees downsizing from homes as large as 10,000 square feet into something closer to 5,000, often paying cash and experienced enough to know when they've been burned before. With clients like that, Biles says, honesty and transparency aren't optional.

More Than Brick and Mortar

Ask Biles what keeps him doing this, and the answer isn't really about houses. "We're not just building brick and mortar," he says. "We're building memories for these people." He describes a sense of purpose beyond a paycheck—clients who stop him years later to catch up or invite him to golf—and notes that every home also means steady income for the subcontractors who build it alongside him.

AR Homes / The Ernst Group

The Best of Both Worlds

Personal attention meets proven resources and design.

Story by Matt McGarry

Building a truly custom home requires more than a great floor plan. It takes experienced people who listen to a buyer’s ideas, understand how they want to live and, leveraging the necessary resources, translate that vision into a home uniquely theirs.

That combination of experience and personalization is at the heart of The Ernst Group, LLC, an independently owned and operated AR Homes® franchise serving the Knoxville area.

Owner Steve Ernst began his homebuilding career in 1994, but his interest started earlier. “While I was in college, I talked with a friend of mine who was a second-generation homebuilder about the pros and cons of being a homebuilder,” Ernst says. “I decided after talking with him that homebuilding was something I wanted to pursue.”

His education quickly became hands-on. “I started as a laborer, cleaning jobsites and assisting trades,” he says. “This helped me learn the homebuilding process from the field.” After earning his contractor’s license, Ernst started a homebuilding company with his father and brother.

Today, The Ernst Group combines that experience with the resources of AR Homes. “We have been building custom homes in the greater Nashville area for three decades,” Ernst says. “In 2013 our company was selected to be the exclusive AR Homes Builder in Middle Tennessee.  With that, we expanded our operations to Knoxville in 2023 and are very excited about the opportunities we’ve had to grow our business in the Knoxville market.”

Hundreds of Plans. One Unique Vision.

One of the biggest advantages of building with The Ernst Group is access to AR Homes’ extensive portfolio of award-winning designs. But those plans are simply starting points.

Through the Personalized Floor Plan by AR Homes® process, buyers can adapt an existing design around their lifestyle and priorities—enlarging a kitchen, adding a room or rethinking an elevation, for example—or create something entirely new. As Ernst explains, “We have access to incredibly talented Architectural Designers that create and customize our plans for our clients to suit their lifestyle.”

We have access to incredibly talented Architectural Designers that create and customize our plans. — Steve Ernst, Owner

The relationship also gives The Ernst Group sophisticated operational resources while allowing it to retain the personal attention of a local builder. “The back-office systems of AR Homes give us the capabilities of a larger builder while remaining a small local builder,” Ernst explains. That includes an integrated platform encompassing sales, purchasing, scheduling and accounting, along with preferred pricing through AR Homes’ corporate purchasing program.

Innovation Backed by Experience

That combination of personalized design and proven resources will be on display at this year’s Parade of Homes. “Our entry into The Parade of Homes is a 5,100 square foot two-story custom-designed residence featuring five bedrooms, 5½ baths, a prep kitchen, large office and exercise area.

Ultimately, this premier builder offers buyers the best of both worlds. AR Homes brings the designs and personalization tools. The Ernst Group brings decades of experience and local knowledge. Together, they create a home as individual as the people who will live there.

MDI Custom Homes

A Foundation of Trust

Thoughtful design. Personal service. Lasting trust.

Story by Matt McGarry

Building a custom home is the most significant investment an individual will ever make, both financially and emotionally. It’s critical, therefore, to work with a builder that can be entrusted with this tremendous responsibility; that is, building the place where your family will live and grow, and for years to come. “We take a lot of pride and are honored to be a part of something that they have dreamed of doing their entire lives,” says Matthew Ische, President of MDI. “A home is more than a living space. It’s a place for new memories to be made. We – as homebuilders – get to create that new sense of ‘home’ for clients. We get to create that feeling of belonging and warmth.”

Based in the Knoxville area, MDI Custom Homes specializes in custom home construction, renovations, and additions, combining personalized design and quality craftsmanship with a building experience centered around the homeowner. From the first conversation through the final walkthrough—and even after closing—the company works to earn and maintain the confidence of every client.

Transparency From the Beginning

Building a custom home involves a lot of moving parts. Plans evolve. Materials need to be selected. Construction progresses through multiple phases. And naturally, homeowners have questions along the way. Matthew Ische has those answers. “I’ve worked in some form of construction since high school,” he recounts, “and in several facets of the commercial construction business from 2002 to 2015. That included building modular offices, pouring concrete, installing landscaping, home automation, and underground electrical. I entered the residential construction business in 2016 and from there, spent 5 years in production building before stepping into custom residential construction.”

In addition to experience, transparency is critical. The team at MDI provides clear, consistent updates throughout planning and construction so homeowners know where their project stands.

“We’re an open book builder,” says Ische. “Not only do we provide visuals to everything financial to the build, but we also take opportunities to educate our clients on the science behind building. Our CRM software gives scheduling visuals with daily updates that have photos attached to keep the clients informed in real time. We have an in-house real estate agent who helps find the lot to build on. We draw up their house plans from scratch and an in-house designer when it comes to making their selections for the build, We’re truly a one-stop shop and white glove turnkey service.”

A home is more than a living space. It’s a place for new memories to be made. — Matthew Ische, President

Your Home. Your Vision. A Builder You Can Trust.

Ultimately, trust isn't established by one promise. It's built over time through actions. It's answering questions honestly. Keeping homeowners informed. Following through on commitments. Taking responsibility for the finished product. And treating the homeowner's ideas, concerns and investment with respect. Visitors to this year’s Parade of Homes will get the opportunity to experience an MDI custom home first hand. The home, says Ische, is called Providence Haven and features “a full stone front façade, and a bold interior design with elegant touches throughout.”

That's the philosophy MDI Custom Homes brings to custom homebuilding; when you're investing in the place where some of life's most important moments will happen, exceptional experience, design, and craftsmanship matter.

Worley Builders, Inc

Rooted in Knoxville

A personal approach to creating homes made to last.

Story by Matt McGarry

Building is not simply about creating a place to move into. Building a home is about creating a place where people will live, grow, and make memories for years to come. For Ron Worley of Worley Builders, this is the belief behind the building. And that’s just one reason why Worley Builders, Inc. has remained part of the Knoxville community for more than 60 years. Locally owned and family operated this generational builder has deep roots in the area… and has for six decades.

Every Worley home is built stud by stud by experienced professionals, with an emphasis on thoughtful design, quality construction, and today’s most sought-after features. Those features will be on display at this year’s Parade of Homes when Worley Builders presents its Westin Chateau design, located at 3474 Sparks Scenic Way in the private gated community of Sparks Meadow. The Westin offers four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a main level owner’s suite, stone fireplace, gourmet kitchen, 2-car garage, and custom wood rear deck.

Knowing the Industry and the Area

When it comes to building, there’s certainly a lot to be said for experience. There’s also a lot to be said for knowing the area. Worley knows this well. “By the time I opened the doors at Worley Building back in 1991, I’d been around home building for decades,” he recounts. My dad started in the construction industry in the late 1960s, and I grew up around that,” he says. “I grew up walking footings with him and having him explain things to me. He was a teacher-coach kind of dad, and that’s how I learned the business.”

Worley also knows the Knoxville area well. “I’ve been in this industry, and Knoxville, for 35 years. I'm pretty much familiar with everything; how and why, for instance, a certain neighborhood might make the ideal home for a client. I think that adds a little bit to the whole community development process; when you have a sense for why people want to live in certain areas.”

Knoxville still offers that community feel, and it gives me tremendous satisfaction. — Ron Worley

Unlike many “cookie cutter” designs, Worley’s plans are researched and designed around features homeowners are looking for today, including practical layouts, energy-efficient features, open living spaces, and popular single-level designs. “We’re technically a production builder in that we offer limited floor plans, but unlike a lot of production builders—especially some of the nationals—we offer customizations within the parameters of the plans we offer.”

One Stop Does it All

From the initial consultation through construction and the final walkthrough, Worley prides itself on responsive, personalized, one-stop service. “We do the land acquisition, development and construction, and we’re also real estate brokers. We also have furnished models in our communities where people can see what we offer and make their selections if they want us to build for them.”

Ron Worley has watched Knoxville grow and change, and his company has grown with it. “Being born and raised here, you have an understanding of the community and the opportunities to create neighborhoods where people know their neighbors and develop lifelong friendships. Knoxville still offers that community feel, and it gives me tremendous satisfaction to be creating neighborhoods around the way people really want to live.”

Home Development Inc.

Building the Homes Families Are Looking For

Thoughtful homes inspired by how East Tennessee lives.

Story by Matt McGarry

What does a family really look for in a new home? Quality and character. Thoughtful design. A great setting. Features that make everyday living easier. And the confidence that the home was built for years of making memories—not worrying about things going wrong.

At Home Development, Inc. (HDI), those aren’t simply assumptions about what homebuyers want. They’re based on personal experience.

From Homebuyer to Homebuilder

HDI was launched in the wake of COVID, when East Tennessee was experiencing tremendous growth and a significant housing shortage. But the founders saw an opportunity to offer something more.

“We saw an opportunity to add something distinctive to the market—homes that combined thoughtful design, quality construction, and the features we ourselves would want to live with every day,” HDI President Rebecca Walls explains. “That continues to inspire us today: creating homes that feel beautiful, comfortable, and especially well suited to the way people want to live in East Tennessee.”

That philosophy was also rooted in experience. Members of the HDI family had relocated to East Tennessee and struggled to find the kind of new construction they wanted. Limited inventory, poor quality, inexpensive materials and homes lacking character eventually prompted a simple question: Why don’t we build them?

Putting the Meaning of Home Into Practice

For Walls, the idea of “home” is particularly meaningful. Raised in East Tennessee and a University of Tennessee graduate, she spent 25 years in Chicago with her husband, Adam, and their two sons before returning to be closer to family.  Today, her definition of home goes well beyond the structure itself.

“It’s where life happens, where families gather, and where some of our most meaningful everyday moments take place,” she says. “That perspective influences the way we approach every home we build.”

It’s where life happens, where families gather, and where some of our most meaningful moments take place. — Rebecca Walls, President

Purpose-Built for Real Life

That means looking beyond how a home appears to how people actually live in it. “To us, a purpose-built home is one where every space has been considered with real life in mind,” Walls says. “We spend a tremendous amount of time thinking about how a homeowner will actually move through and use the home; from the layout of the kitchen and the placement of storage to the way rooms connect.”

Visitors to the builder’s townhome designs during Parade of Homes will experience this “purpose-built” philosophy first hand. “I love the overall look and feel of these townhomes,” says Walls. “They have a very high-end, refined appearance, but they still feel completely at home here in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.”

Building What They Would Want for Themselves

Perhaps HDI’s most meaningful standard is also its simplest: Would we want to live here? That question involves the entire HDI team, whose different perspectives and ideas help shape and improve the company’s designs.  And it comes back to HDI’s connection to East Tennessee.

“These are our communities, our neighborhoods, and our neighbors,” Walls says. “We want the homes we build to reflect the same commitment to quality, thoughtfulness, and livability that we would want for ourselves and for the people we care about.”

Then she sums up HDI’s philosophy perfectly: “At the end of the day, that’s a pretty good standard to build by.”

East Tennessee Builder

From Vision to Home

A personal approach to creating homes made to last.

Story by Matt McGarry

Building a custom home starts with a vision. Turning that vision into reality takes a builder who listens, collaborates and stays committed to the details from the first conversation to the moment the keys are handed over.

At East Tennessee Builder, that relationship is fundamental to the way the company works. Its philosophy is built around integrity, quality craftsmanship, collaboration, innovation and sustainability. And the belief that exceptional construction begins with exceptional relationships.

Experience from More Than One Perspective

President and Principal Builder Jamie Smith has been in real estate since 2008, with experience encompassing new construction, investment and development. “Over the years, I found myself getting more involved in the building side; looking at plans, figuring out how a house should live, what buyers actually wanted, and what would make a property better,” Jamie says. “Eventually, it just made sense to take that experience and build the kind of homes I believed people were looking for.”

Dual Perspectives for a More Desirable Outcome

Together with Design and Selections Director Johnna Smith, the pair bring complementary perspectives to every project. “I’m looking at the floor plan, how rooms connect, where people gather, storage, traffic flow, outdoor living, and the features I think a home really needs,” says Jamie. “Johnna then brings the design perspective, helping clients select finishes, materials and colors while ensuring the home reflects their individual style.”

This collaboration will be on display at this year’s Parade of Homes, where Jamie is presenting 2228 Black Bear Circle in Tennessee National. “I’m really excited, as this year we’re presenting a villa. Designed by renowned local architect Gary Best, this is one of the smaller homes we’ve presented. For that reason, thoughtful design and function become even more important. It’s truly designed for the Tennessee National lifestyle, with every space used well, and with the right features in the right places.”

Greater Resources, Same Personal Approach

In 2024, the company was acquired by Southern Horizon Construction, bringing additional resources, advanced design technology, and improved project-management tools. The emphasis, however, remains the same; a focus on quality craftsmanship, customer satisfaction, and personalized service.

That combination gives clients the advantages of greater capabilities without sacrificing the personal relationship at the heart of custom homebuilding. As Jamie explains: “Some clients arrive knowing every detail; others simply explain how they live and ask the team for guidance. Our job is to listen, ask the right questions, and then help turn that into something we can actually build.”

Our job is to listen, ask the right questions, and then help turn that into something we can actually build. — Jamie Smith, President & Principal Builder

The Measure of Success

“I think East Tennessee is in a really interesting period right now,” says Jamie. “We have people who have lived here their entire lives alongside people moving here from all over the country, and that is changing what people expect from new construction. I don’t want to lose what makes this area special.

For us, the goal is pretty simple: keep building a great small team, take care of our clients, keep improving our craft, and build homes we’re proud to put our name on. If we’re fortunate enough that someone is still enjoying one of our homes 20 or 30 years from now and it still looks good, functions well, and feels like home, that’s a pretty good measure of success to me.”

Healy Homes

A Legacy of Home

A Family Tradition of Quality and Thoughtful Design

Story by Matt McGarry
Photography by Lisa Smith and Trust ThaBeard Media

A lot can change in nearly five decades. Styles evolve. Families live differently. But at Healy Homes, one thing hasn’t changed: the belief that a quality, thoughtfully designed home should also be an attainable one.

That philosophy dates back to 1978, when Wally Conard began building homes in Concord Woods. Over the years, Conard would build more than 500 homes throughout the Knoxville area.  From the beginning, his approach was straightforward: build quality homes at affordable prices, make intelligent use of every square foot, and design around the families who would live there.

A New Generation Builds on the Foundation

For Ashley Healy, Conard’s daughter, homebuilding was quite literally the family business. Growing up, she watched her father work with clients and turn their ideas about homeownership into reality. In 2004, Ashley and her husband, Dave, joined Conard’s team and a year later, created Healy Homes.

While Ashley and Dave remain grateful for that foundation, their goal has also been to make the company their own. “We have tried to take that legacy and reinvent it for a new generation of buyers,” Ashley says. “Our goal has been to honor where we came from while creating something fresh and distinctly Healy Homes.”

Designed Around the Way Families Live

That evolution is easy to see in Healy’s approach to floor plans. Ashley, who serves as designer, owner/agent and executive officer, sees homebuyers themselves as an important source of ideas. “One of our favorite parts of the process is seeing how each buyer takes one of our plans and makes it their own,” she says.

Visitors to this year’s Parade of Homes can experience the results of that process firsthand in the Winterpark, “one of our absolute favorite floor plans. We love the dramatic two-story living room and the flexibility of having both the primary suite and a second guest suite on the main level. What makes this particular home especially exciting is that it is very much buyer-design-driven.”

Quality That Goes Beyond Design

Of course, an attractive floor plan is only part of building a home. Ashley points out that their construction standards exceed Knox County code requirements, with homes checked throughout construction. The company also provides a one-year builder warranty. But Ashley says what truly separates Healy Homes is the people behind each home. “The Healy

Our goal has been to honor where we came from while creating something fresh and distinctly Healy Homes. — Ashely Healy

Difference is 100 percent our people,” she says. “A great home is the result of many talented people caring deeply about the details; especially those details that a homeowner will never see.”

A Legacy That Still Feels Like Home

Nearly five decades after Wally Conard built his first homes, the family business continues to evolve. Dave brings his strength in land development and community planning, while Ashley focuses on design and the buyer experience.

Styles may come and go. Floor plans may evolve. New generations of Knoxville families will come through the door. But the goal remains remarkably familiar: quality construction, thoughtful design, and homes that help make the dream of ownership a reality.

That’s not simply Healy Homes’ history. It’s the family legacy they’re still building today.

Saddlebrook Properties

A Reputation Earned

35 Years of Building Trust, Homes and Community

Story by Matt McGarry
Photography by Lisa Smith & Trust ThaBeard Media

Building homes is about building trust. And for more than 35 years, Saddlebrook Properties has been doing just that. Family-owned and operated, Saddlebrook has built thousands of homes and today counts more than 3,800 Knoxville-area homeowners among its customers.

From the beginning, the company’s ambitions extended beyond building houses. “We wanted to create communities where people genuinely want to live and feel proud to call home,” says Brian Mohney, President of Saddlebrook Properties. “We believed that our business should be built on integrity, reputation, and doing the right thing for our customers.”

It’s also built on a commitment to making lives better. “We are grateful for the opportunity to improve lives,” Mohney says. This is accomplished through Saddlebrook’s involvement in organizations such as the Widowed Parent Relief Project, THRIVE Knoxville, Fresh Start Home Project, and Ronald McDonald House.

That involvement has given Saddlebrook an intimate knowledge of Knoxville. “Instead of using complex demographic data to choose our projects and the product we build,” Mohney explains, “we like to get in the car and see what we can learn about an area. We understand our community’s lifestyles and patterns inherently. If you are around long enough, familiarity could look more like insight.”

On Display at the Parade of Homes

Of this year’s Parade of Homes, Mohney describes it as “a great reflection of the variety of lifestyle living that Saddlebrook offers. Our homes represent several different communities, some of which will be making their Parade of Homes debut. I’m especially excited about the way the homes showcase what today’s buyers are looking for,” he says. “The interior selections, finishes, floor plans, and home features are very current and on point with today’s desired style of living. I think visitors will really enjoy seeing the variety; not just in the homes themselves, but in the different lifestyles and communities they represent.

Making Homebuilding Less Complicated

We believed that our business should be built on integrity, reputation, and doing the right thing. — Brian Mohney

Building a home involves hundreds of decisions. Saddlebrook has developed a streamlined process intended to make the decision making more manageable. Buyers choose their community, homesite and floor plan, then personalize their home with an in-house designer at Saddlebrook’s Knoxville Design Studio, which offers a number of customizable and standard options. “When we sell a new home to be built, we aim to meet our customers’ needs well before construction begins.”

Word of Mouth. It’s How We’ve Built Our Business.

Perhaps one of the strongest indications of Saddlebrook's reputation isn't the number of homes it has built. It's where many of its next customers come from. Mohney says many clients first contact the company because someone else recommended it. That's significant in an industry where the relationship between buyer and builder can last months and involve one of the largest purchases a family will ever make.

After more than 35 years, that may be the best measure of Saddlebrook's success. Thousands of homes tell one part of the story. Homeowners willing to recommend the company to friends and family tell the rest.

Riverpark Homes & Development, LLC

Crafted to Last

Quality materials, lasting craftsmanship and local roots.

Story by Matt McGarry
Photography by Mitchell Bain

For the father-and-son team behind River Park Homes, Taner and Arda Irmak, building a home of beauty and long-lasting quality must start with the materials themselves.

This family-owned Knoxville builder traces its roots to 1995 and the hardwood lumber manufacturing industry. In 2013, River Park transitioned into luxury spec homebuilding in the Knoxville area, bringing that knowledge of materials together with a commitment to craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and attention to detail.

“I started out in the hardwood lumber business,” says Taner of his early days, “and worked in that industry for years. After working with another builder on my own custom home, not particularly liking how the process went, and thinking that I could do better myself, I set out to build my first spec home. My father and I have been building ever since.”

A Foundation Built on Knowing Quality

River Park’s foundation in hardwood lumber manufacturing gives the company an interesting perspective on homebuilding. While buyers naturally notice a home’s floor plan, cabinetry, flooring, fixtures and finishes, they seldom understand that what’s behind those features matters just as much.

The company has built upon that knowledge of materials with an emphasis on attention to detail, modern design, and an understanding of changing market needs. At the same time, Taner and Arda’s homes balance contemporary trends with timeless aesthetic. One of River Park’s homes will be available for touring at this year’s Parade of Homes. “The house we have in the Parade this year is in a prime location, right in the heart of Farragut at 12564 Daisy Field Lane in Knoxville. We have given extraordinary attention to detail during the design and build process, and we’re very excited to show our new designs and floor plans.”

Relationships That Create Consistency

Of course, even the best materials are only as good as the people who put them together. That’s why another important part of the River Park philosophy is its long-standing relationships with trusted subcontractors and suppliers. Rather than constantly changing the people and companies involved in its projects, River Park works with professionals who share its standards for craftsmanship. The result? Every individual working on the home understands the expectations for quality, reliability, and attention to detail.  For Taner, it’s also a way to support his community. “For me, supporting the community starts with the people who help us build. We make an effort to work with local trades, craftsmen, and businesses whenever we can.”

Something the neighborhood can be proud of

For River Park, a luxury home isn't simply one that looks impressive when it's new. It's one built with quality materials by skilled craftspeople.  But, according to Taner, a home can, and should, be even more than that. “Beyond the building project itself, I believe that building is an opportunity to contribute something positive and lasting to the community. We want the homes we build to fit their surroundings, be built with care, and hopefully be something the neighborhood can be proud of for years to come.”

We make an effort to work with local trades, craftsmen, and businesses whenever we can. — Taner Irmak

Cook Bros Homes

Two Brothers, Three Parade Homes

From an Illinois farm to renovating East TN duplexes.

Story by Matt McGarry

Growing up on a family farm in Central Illinois, John and Ralph Cook learned early that hard work, responsibility and keeping one’s word mattered. After college, the co-founders moved to East Tennessee, where they began buying and renovating duplexes and single-family homes. Remodeling eventually led to new-home construction, and in 2004, they founded Cook Bros. Homes.

“We saw an opportunity to create a better building experience; one centered on quality craftsmanship, honest communication and strong relationships,” says John. “There is something incredibly rewarding about building the place where a family will live, grow and make memories.”

Today, Cook Bros. Homes serves buyers throughout the greater Knoxville area with a variety of home collections and communities designed for different lifestyles and stages of life. The company also offers its Build On Your Lot program in Knox, Loudon, and Blount counties, giving buyers who own land—or need help finding it—the opportunity to select an established floor plan and personalize it with approved structural options and Design Studio selections.

That combination of choice and consistency is an important part of the Cook Bros. philosophy. The company is focused on creating more attainable paths to homeownership while maintaining the craftsmanship and quality on which it has built its reputation.

For John, however, building homes also means building communities. “We also believe housing itself is an important form of community service. East Tennessee continues to grow, and our responsibility is to help meet that need by creating thoughtfully planned neighborhoods and offering homes at a variety of price points. We strive to develop communities that complement their surroundings, create lasting value and give people a place to put down roots.”

For homebuyers, trust is built through more than promises. John and Ralph believe buyers should look closely at a builder’s process, reputation and long-term commitment. And that commitment should extend beyond closing with dependable warranty coverage and responsive service. Consistent craftsmanship, dependable trade partners, detailed inspections, and quality-control procedures are all important signs of a builder worthy of a homebuyer’s trust.

This year, Cook Bros. Homes is presenting three homes in the Parade of Homes: the Verona at The Grove at Haven Hill and the Cumberland and Emory at Enclave at Harvey.

We also believe housing itself is an important form of community service. — John Cook

The Verona highlights the comfortable, low-maintenance lifestyle available at The Grove at Haven Hill. It offers a thoughtfully designed layout that makes everyday living easy while still providing beautiful spaces for entertaining family and friends.

At Enclave at Harvey, the Cumberland and Emory showcase two distinctive approaches to modern living. Both plans feature functional layouts, Elevated Design finishes, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the variety available within the community.

“What excites us most about these three homes,” says John, “is that they represent different floor plans and lifestyles while demonstrating the consistent quality that defines Cook Bros. Homes. Each one is beautiful, functional, and designed for where life happens.

Ultimately, the philosophy John and Ralph brought from that Illinois family farm more than two decades ago still defines the company today: Rooted in craftsmanship, built on trust.”

Turner Homes

Finding the Way Home

Five decades of experience creating homes for East Tennessee.

Story by Matt McGarry

Buying a new home is a major decision, and choosing the right builder can be just as important as choosing the home itself. With Turner Homes, buyers get the experience, craftsmanship and support of an established East Tennessee builder with a long history of helping people find their way home.

Founded as Turner Brothers Construction in 1971, Turner began by building just a handful of single-family homes each year. Today, Turner Homes is part of Turner Companies, a family of housing-related businesses spanning homebuilding, land development, real estate brokerage, property management and rental housing. The company builds approximately 350 homes annually across the Knoxville and Chattanooga markets, and is selling in 10 communities with five more coming soon.

Experience Buyers Can Count On

Building a home involves hundreds of decisions, from selecting a floor plan to choosing finishes. Turner’s experience helps buyers navigate those choices while its emphasis on quality, thoughtful design and long-term value helps ensure the finished home is built for the way people live.

Turner also offers buyers choices through its three product lines: Townhome, Reserve and Summit, all with different floor plans, price points and opportunities for personalization. Distinctive details such as arched interior openings, interesting rooflines and welcoming front porches give the homes character, while every home undergoes two internal quality inspections before closing and includes a one-year builder’s warranty.

Experience Turner at the Parade of Homes

Four Turner homes will be featured at this year’s Parade of Homes, demonstrating the variety the builder offers. “What we’re most excited about with this year’s Parade homes is the variety—not only in where they’re located, but in the types of homes, floor plans and features they offer,” says Amanda Johnson, Chief Sales Officer.

Our focus remains on building quality homes, taking care of our customers, investing in our people. — Andrew Fraser, CEO of Turner Companies

The Acacia at The Haven at Hardin Valley is a five-bedroom modern farmhouse designed for larger households with a main-level primary suite, covered patio and upstairs loft providing flexible living space. It’s located at 2575 Marshall Pass Road in Knoxville. The Violet at Luna Ridge, located at 611 8th Avenue in Lenoir City, offers 2,056 square feet, three bedrooms, an open main level, eat-in dining area and two-car garage in a new neighborhood near historic downtown. And in Maryville’s Bennett Village, Turner will showcase two townhome designs. The Marigold, located at 1805 Bennett Village Drive, offers 1,850 square feet, three bedrooms, an upstairs loft, patio and two-car garage. The Lily, located at 1807 Bennett Village Drive, features a one-car garage and the flexibility of a traditional three-bedroom layout or two primary suites.

Together, the four homes demonstrate something Turner has spent more than five decades developing: different ways to help East Tennessee buyers find the home that fits the way they want to live.

“As we grow, our focus remains on building quality homes, taking care of our customers, investing in our people, developing lasting partnerships, and creating more opportunities for people to find housing,” said Andrew Fraser, CEO of Turner Companies. That focus has served the company well over five decades. It also positions it well for the next five decades and beyond.

Elegant Homes LLC

From Moldova to the Parade of Homes

A family trade that began with mortar, not blueprints.

Story by Matt McGarry

For some builders, quality is a business objective. For Elegant Homes LLC, it’s a tradition that has been handed down through generations.

Chief Manager Vio Rotar is a third-generation construction tradesman whose introduction to building came through his family. His grandfather began the tradition, and his father taught Vio the fundamentals of masonry. Growing up in the Republic of Moldova, and gaining experience in Moldova, Romania and Russia, Vio developed an appreciation for detailed craftsmanship long before he ever built a home in East Tennessee.

In 2000, Vio moved to the United States. Over the years, he expanded his construction knowledge, earned his credentials as a general contractor and ultimately made Tennessee home. Today, he works alongside his brother Tony and sister Anastasya building homes throughout the Knoxville area. That family connection is an important part of what makes Elegant Homes different.

Small by Design, Big on Quality

Elegant Homes describes itself as a small business specializing in high-quality residential homes distinguished by craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. The company brings more than 50 years of combined experience to its work, while its international background provides design influences that buyers might not find in a typical new home.

Vio has a particular appreciation for European cottage-style architecture and frequently incorporates Old World influences into his homes. But regardless of architectural style or size, the objective remains the same: combine traditional elements with custom details that give each home its own personality. Those touches can include distinctive tile work, crown molding, hardwood flooring, granite countertops and energy-efficient features.

Elegant Homes also offers custom construction, collaborating closely with clients to create personalized spaces around their individual ideas. As the company puts it, the homeowner’s vision remains at the heart of the process.

The company's commitment to craftsmanship has earned industry recognition as well. Vio's first Parade of Homes entry received a Gold award in its price category at the 2008 Greater Knoxville Parade of Homes.

More Than a Transaction

For Vio, however, quality homebuilding isn’t simply about impressive finishes. He recognizes that building a home represents one of the largest investments most people will ever make. That’s why he considers being entrusted with someone’s home a privilege rather than simply another transaction. His goal when handing over the keys?  A satisfied homeowner.

That philosophy is reflected in homeowner testimonials, which repeatedly mention craftsmanship, attention to detail, responsiveness and service after the sale. Several also describe Vio and his team remaining personally involved throughout construction and helping buyers navigate design and finish decisions.

For a small builder, that personal involvement can be a significant advantage. The people responsible for the company’s reputation are also closely connected to the homes carrying its name.

Introducing The Hartford

Visitors to the 2026 Parade of Homes will have an opportunity to see that philosophy firsthand when Elegant Homes debuts The Hartford, its featured Parade home. The Hartford is designed to showcase elevated craftsmanship, luxury finishes and timeless design, blending architectural character with carefully selected details throughout the home. Features include a tiled grand foyer with an accent stone wall, gourmet kitchen, luxurious primary suite, custom closets, dedicated office, bonus area with wet bar, premium European tilt-and-turn windows and a screened back patio with fireplace.

For Vio, it will also be another opportunity to showcase something he began learning generations ago: That quality isn’t simply something you add to a home. It’s something you build into it from the beginning.

Ball Homes, LLC

Six Decades of Giving Back

The Knoxville builder that turns houses into hope.

Story by Matt McGarry

A homebuilder helps shape a community in an obvious way—by building the neighborhoods where people put down roots, raise families and create lasting connections. But for Ball Homes, being part of a community has always meant something more.

Since Don and Mira Ball incorporated the family-owned company in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1959, community service and philanthropy have been part of its identity. More than six decades later, that commitment continues through the second and third generations of Ball family management.

The company's core values make that commitment explicit: Ball Homes believes in investing in the community by helping meet the human needs of its citizens. It's a philosophy based on the recognition that the company's success is closely connected to the health and success of the communities where it builds.

Giving Back Where They Live and Build

Over the years, that philosophy has translated into support for an extensive range of charitable organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Salvation Army, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, and many others. The company has also supported organizations addressing affordable housing, education, homelessness, addiction, and other community needs.

Sometimes, Ball Homes has put its homebuilding expertise directly to work for a cause. Since 1993, when Don and Mira Ball helped establish Lexington's Hope Center to address the underlying causes of homelessness and addiction, the company has built several projects for the organization at cost, including Virginia Place, the Chrysalis House apartments, Shepherd's House, and the Hope Center's dining facility and supportive housing for homeless individuals living with mental illness.

A Commitment That Hasn't Gone Unnoticed

Ball Homes' long history of giving back has earned significant recognition. In 1999, co-founder Don Ball received a national award from BUILDER Magazine and Hearthstone recognizing his long-term community service. Don and Mira received the Optimist Cup Award in 2000 and the A.B. "Happy" Chandler Foundation's Kentuckian Award in 2004.

In 2011, the Lexington Chamber of Commerce presented the couple with its W.T. Young Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing both extraordinary business success and significant contributions to the public good. The following year, Don and Mira were inducted into the local homebuilder’s association's Hall of Fame, honoring their record of good business practices and philanthropy. In 2016, the University of Kentucky awarded each an honorary doctorate of humane letters for contributions to philanthropy, education, human development and societal well-being.

Building Homes. Building Communities.

Today, Ball Homes builds throughout Kentucky and Tennessee, including the Knoxville area, where it has maintained a presence since 2011 with communities across West Knoxville and Hardin Valley. The company will once again take part in the 2026 Parade of Homes, bringing the same blend of quality construction and hands-on family ownership that has defined it for more than six decades to Knoxville-area homebuyers.

For this Knoxville builder, it’s about helping create better places to live… and supporting the people and organizations working toward the same goal. After more than 60 years, giving back isn't simply something Ball Homes does. It's part of who the company is.*

Iron Horse Homes Inc.

Where Every Room Has a Reason

Questions come before finishes at Iron Horse Homes.

Story by Matt McGarry

A custom home should be more than a collection of rooms and finishes. It should reflect the way its owners live today—and anticipate how they may want to live tomorrow. That’s the thinking behind the “purpose-built” approach at Iron Horse Homes, a locally owned Knoxville-area builder specializing in custom homes, substantial renovations, and additions.

For co-owner Drew Dickerson, purpose-built starts long before construction. It begins by understanding the homeowners themselves: their routines, family, entertaining style, storage needs, future plans and how they expect to use each area of the home.

“A purpose-built home begins with understanding how the homeowners actually live,” says Dickerson. “Before discussing finishes, we want to understand their routines, family, entertaining style, storage needs, future plans, and the way they use each part of their home.” For one family, that might mean an open kitchen and living area designed for large gatherings. Another may prioritize aging in place, working from home, accommodating children or grandchildren, or making outdoor living central to the design.

Every Decision Has a Purpose

That’s why planning plays such an important role. Iron Horse asks detailed questions early, then carries those answers through design, budgeting, and construction. “A beautiful home is important, but a truly custom home should also make everyday life easier,” Dickerson says.

Good planning can also prevent costly problems later. Before construction begins, the Iron Horse team works to establish a clear scope, understand the budget, study plans carefully, identify important selections, and discuss potential challenges.

“Many of the most expensive and frustrating construction problems can be traced back to decisions that were not made—or questions that were not asked—early enough,” Dickerson explains. “It is impossible to eliminate every surprise in construction, but thorough planning greatly reduces uncertainty. When homeowners, builders, designers and trade partners begin with shared expectations, the result is clearer communication, better decisions and, ultimately, a better-built home.”

Building Community, Too

For Iron Horse, being purpose-driven extends beyond construction. The company works with local trade partners, suppliers, designers, real estate professionals, and other small businesses whenever possible. “Supporting the community begins with relationships,” Dickerson says. “We want Iron Horse Homes to be known as a company that contributes to the community, not just one that only works in it, from coaching youth sports to supporting local families and organizations.”

A beautiful home is important, but a truly custom home should also make everyday life easier. — Drew Dickerson

Purpose on Parade

Visitors to this year’s Parade of Homes can see that philosophy firsthand in Iron Horse’s approximately 3,220-square-foot Fox Den home. It features a spacious kitchen and living area, Thermador range, custom cabinetry, leathered Black Pearl countertops, a white limestone fireplace, substantial wood beams, and tongue-and-groove ceiling details.

Yet, according to Dickerson, no single feature defines it. “There are many impressive details, but the home was not designed around any single feature,” Dickerson says. “The floor plan, ceiling treatments, materials, lighting and finishes were selected to create one cohesive home.” And that may be the best definition of purpose-built: a home where thoughtful planning ensures everything has a reason for being there; and everything works perfectly for the people who call it home.

Mike Stevens Homes

The Homes You Never Forget

Clients don't buy houses. They buy a feeling.

Story by Caroline Williams

For Mike Stevens, the Parade of Homes is not a marketing exercise. It's a statement of identity. Each year, when the Knoxville-area Parade opens its doors, visitors step into more than a finished house. They step into a philosophy—one built on natural light, open space, intentional design, and craftsmanship that begins long before the paint dries. For Mike Stevens Custom Homes, the parade home is where vision, discipline, and emotion meet. "We've always kept a presence in the Parade," Stevens says. "It's our demographic. But more than that, it's where we get to show who we are."

The Presence Is Unmistakable

That presence is unmistakable. Wide-plank floors carry you through open living spaces flooded with natural light. Custom iron stair rails rise beside thick wood treads that feel substantial underfoot. Kitchens are not just functional—they are curated, layered with texture, contrast, and subtle designer details. The finishes in these homes often fall into the $3–6 million range, where every fixture, beam, and built-in is expected to perform visually and structurally.

Before the Paint Dries

But the beauty doesn't begin with furnishings. Stevens is just as passionate about what happens before drywall ever goes up. The framing stage—clean lines of lumber rising against winter skies—still excites him. A well-organized job site. A master stair builder fitting components with precision. A leather nail belt worn smooth from years of use. Those moments, he believes, are as meaningful as the final reveal.

"When you get a finished product, it's easy to make it pretty," he says. "But what I love is the process—meeting someone with a vision, putting it on paper, then putting it on the ground." That process is intensely collaborative. From the first meeting to the final walkthrough, clients work with an integrated team that includes in-house designers, draftsmen, and project leaders who stay engaged every step of the way. Stevens describes it as immersive. Clients aren't simply buying a house; they're participating in its creation.

How They Feel

And the emotional component matters. "When people choose a builder, they don't choose based on every house he's ever done," Stevens explains. "They choose based on how they feel."That feeling—confidence, trust, alignment—is often forged during the parade. A well-executed living room bathed in afternoon light communicates something beyond square footage. A staircase crafted by a master tradesman tells its own story. The open flow between spaces signals modern living, but it also signals clarity of thought.

We build places where memories are made for life. That sticks with you. — Mike Stevens

Stevens remembers a client who wrote him a personal note after her home was completed. She said she knew from their first meeting that he would be her builder. "She couldn't have written me a check that meant more than that note," he admits. "That's what gets me up in the morning."

Homes Imprint Memory

Even after decades in the business, retirement holds little appeal. The drive comes not from repetition, but from reinvention—each new parade home a fresh opportunity to elevate materials, refine layouts, and push design-build coordination further. There's also a deeper thread running through the work. Stevens often reminds audiences that people may forget what they watched on television last week, but they can recall every detail of their childhood bedroom. Homes imprint memory. That understanding shapes every project.

"We build places where memories are made for life," he says. "That sticks with you." And in the Parade of Homes, those memories begin long before the first family moves in.

Smithbilt Homes

From Bricklayer to 100 Families a Year

Six homes across this year's Parade of Homes.

Story by Matt McGarry Photography by Caroline Williams
Photography by Caroline Williams

When you’ve been building homes in East Tennessee for roughly 70 years, you’re not simply building houses. You’re helping build communities and establishing a reputation that can be passed from one generation to the next.

That’s the story behind Smithbilt Homes, a family-owned and operated company whose roots in the Knoxville area stretch back to the 1950s. Today, Smithbilt is one of East Tennessee’s most established residential builders, offering homes for first-time buyers, growing families, empty nesters, and people relocating to the region.

The company’s history began modestly. Founder Rufus H. Smith Jr. learned the building trade alongside his father, working as a bricklayer on small homes in Oak Ridge during the late 1940s. After military service, he returned to the trade and, in 1954, established Rufus H. Smith, Jr. & Company, specializing in quality, affordable homes.

Three generations later, that family tradition continues. His children, Traci, Rocky, and Tom, remain active in the business today. Rocky grew up working with his father in the construction side of the company. Traci handled the rental business, while Tom joined the team upon graduating from the University of Tennessee.

“Homebuilding has always been much more than a business to us,” says Josh Sanderson, Development Associate. “We were raised around the values the company was built on—family, hard work and treating people the right way. Continuing that legacy and helping families across Tennessee achieve the American Dream of homeownership is what keeps us passionate about what we do.”

Homes Designed to Stand the Test of Time

While much has changed in homebuilding over the decades, the team at Smithbilt continues their hands-on approach to building, with a focus on quality, craftsmanship, functionality, and affordability.

The company is currently developing two of Tennessee’s largest master-planned communities: The Preserve in Oak Ridge and Belltown in Powell. Both communities were years in the making and today, they welcome roughly 100 new families each year. “It is rewarding to see places that once existed only on paper,” says Sanderson, “become thriving communities where families are putting down roots.”

The company is also presenting six homes in this year’s Parade of Homes. Each home is different, yet they share a common goal: thoughtful, functional homes designed around the needs of today’s families and built in family-friendly communities. We’re especially excited to show that quality design and livability can be achieved across a variety of prices.”

Giving Back to the Community. And the Industry

Smithbilt’s legacy extends beyond the homes it builds. Through the Smithbilt Family Foundation, the family supports local nonprofits and charitable organizations focused on helping people in need. The company is also investing in the next generation of homebuilding professionals through a University of Tennessee scholarship for a student pursuing construction science. “Investing in young people who want to build careers in our industry is one way we can help strengthen both our profession and our community for generations to come,” Sanderson says.

A Legacy Built Around People

After three generations, the company continues pursuing its founder’s vision of making homeownership attainable for Tennessee families. “Our people are Smithbilt’s most important asset,” Sanderson says. “If we take care of our employees, trade partners, and everyone who has a hand in building a Smithbilt home, they will take care of the families who trust us to build theirs. Together, we can help more families achieve the American Dream of homeownership.”

Homebuilding has always been much more than a business to us. — Josh Sanderson

D.R. Horton

Behind Every Key, a Story

Nearly 85,000 homebuyers last year alone.

Story by Matt McGarry

Last year, D.R. Horton helped nearly 85,000 individuals and families achieve homeownership. More than half of those purchases were made by first-time homebuyers; people taking one of the biggest financial and personal steps of their lives. Also last year, the company completed its 24th consecutive year as the largest homebuilder in the United States by volume; recognition that may explain why D.R. Horton calls itself “America’s Builder.”

A History of Helping People Come Home

D.R. Horton’s story began in 1978, when founder Donald R. Horton built his first home in Fort Worth, Texas. From that beginning, the company grew around a straightforward philosophy: create value every step of the way. Today, D.R. Horton operates in 126 markets across 36 states. That scale gives D.R. Horton the ability to meet the needs of an unusually broad range of buyers.

The company’s portfolio includes its Express Series, geared toward first-time buyers; Tradition Series, emphasizing quality and value; Freedom Series, designed around low-maintenance living; and Emerald Series, offering luxury homes. In other words, choosing D.R. Horton doesn’t necessarily mean choosing one particular type of home. It means having options designed for different budgets, lifestyles and stages of life.

For visitors to the 2026 Parade of Homes, that range of options won't just be described. It will be there to walk through in person. D.R. Horton's model homes give buyers a firsthand look at the same quality, floor plans and finishes found across its communities, from an entry-level layout built for a first-time buyer to a larger single-family home designed for a growing family. It's a chance to see, room by room, what sets each series apart, and to picture which one fits the next stage of life.

Making the First Home Possible

Affordability remains one of the greatest challenges facing today’s homebuyers, particularly those trying to enter the market for the first time.  D.R. Horton says its purpose is to enable more customers to achieve the dream of homeownership, with a particular focus on affordability for entry-level, first-time and first-time move-up buyers. The company combines that emphasis on value with services that can help simplify the homebuying journey. The builder’s services include mortgage financing, title services and insurance agency services for homebuyers, bringing several important pieces of the transaction together.

The Power Behind the Numbers

Nearly 85,000 homes in one year is an impressive statistic. But each of those closings represents something much more personal. A first set of keys. A growing family looking for more room. Someone downsizing for the next stage of life. That’s ultimately what sits behind D.R. Horton’s extraordinary scale.

For more than four decades, the company has focused on delivering homes across a broad range of price points while maintaining its emphasis on quality, value and homeownership. More than 1.2 million homes later, the numbers tell a powerful story. More people choose D.R. Horton because, for millions of Americans, America’s Builder has helped make the dream of home a reality.

“Choosing D.R. Horton doesn’t necessarily mean choosing one particular type of home. It means having options.”