Riverside Gardens Opened in Johnson City
Developers have completed a 75-unit complex on the site of the former Davis College, adding new residential capacity to the local area.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Openings & Closings

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The Riverside Gardens apartment complex has officially opened on Riverside Drive in Johnson City. The $16 million project repurposed the former 16-acre Davis College campus into a mixed-use facility.
Why it matters
The conversion of this former campus property represents a significant shift in land use for the area, potentially altering local traffic and service demand. Business owners should monitor how the addition of 75 units affects foot traffic and the local consumer base along the Riverside Drive corridor.
The Riverside Gardens development required a $16 million investment to revitalize the 16-acre property. Currently, 30% of the project's 75 total apartment units are leased.
The players
Riverside Gardens
A newly opened residential complex located on the 16-acre site of the former Davis College in Johnson City.
The details
The development team transformed the former Davis College campus into a residential and mixed-use site. Beyond the apartment units, the facility integrates amenities including an on-site post office and a fitness center to service residents. This conversion marks the site's transition from an educational institutional use to a residential one.
Timeline
October 8, 2026: The Riverside Gardens ribbon-cutting ceremony took place.
Market Landscape
This project follows the pattern of adaptive reuse developments that transform shuttered educational facilities into residential spaces. It serves as a modern benchmark for how Johnson City properties are being re-indexed for residential demand.
Operators in the vicinity should anticipate increased residential density that may affect local supply chain logistics and staffing availability. Watch the occupancy trend of these 75 units as a bellwether for residential demand within this specific Johnson City corridor.
The takeaway
The transformation of the Davis College site underscores the growing trend of converting institutional real estate to residential use to address housing capacity. Local businesses should track the 30% current lease rate to gauge how quickly the neighborhood’s residential density will influence local commerce.
Further reading
For more updates on local real estate shifts, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WIVT/WBGH NewsChannel 34.
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