10 Must-Follow Projects in Charleston - Lee and Associates

10 Must-Follow Projects In The Charleston Region

March 7, 2024

Charleston’s booming population and reputation as one of America’s most desirable cities have fueled ongoing commercial development. Currently, there are a plethora of exciting proposed/underway development projects hoping to capitalize on Charleston’s desirability. This appeal will continue to bring economic benefits, new businesses, new residents, and tourists, driving demand for new housing, commercial spaces, and infrastructure.

With over 25% population growth in the last decade, Charleston’s pro-business climate and strategic location have lured numerous companies seeking to establish or expand operations. From cutting-edge healthcare facilities to mixed-use developments and manufacturing plants, the city is experiencing a commercial development boom.

This article explores 10 of the most impactful commercial developments in the Charleston area, projects that are shaping the city’s future and solidifying its status as a dynamic Southeast hub.

Union Pier

Located on roughly 70 acres of fill and terminal piers built over water, Union Pier is a once-in-a-generation proposed development opportunity on Charleston's peninsula. Currently owned and operated by the SC Ports Authority, the land offers high potential for a transformative mixed-use site with public amenities. The polarizing development is still in planning stages and is receiving plenty of public input (and outcry), but we can expect residential, commercial, and green space to play a huge role.

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Nexton

Eleven years and 2,500+ homes later, Nexton is a proven, beautifully established master-planned community. Nexton is a walkable — and golf cartable — to more than 120 shops, eateries and offices. Acres of parks and preserved open spaces. Two grocery stores (coming soon!) An elementary school and middle school (opening 2026). At full buildout, it will feature 2M+ SF retail, 815K SF medical, 1.7M SF office, and 1,300 hotel rooms.

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Point Hope

Point Hope is a master-planned community bordered by Wando River and Beresford Creek. It is the first community to be developed within the Guggenheim family's Cainhoy land and at full buildout will feature 18,000+ homes, 1,000+ acres of green space, 2 grocery stores, retail/restaurant space, and office space.

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Roper St. Francis - New Campus

At the end of 2022, Roper St. Francis Healthcare announced a $1 billion investment into building a new medical campus in North Charleston, SC. The campus will occupy 27-acres near Interstates 26 and 526 and be easily accessible for patients living in Berkeley, Charleston or Dorchester counties. The project will be one of the largest, most advanced healthcare construction endeavors on the East Coast and will meet the healthcare needs of one of the fastest growing areas in the country.

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Camp Hall

Camp Hall is a 6,781 acre industrial campus that is currently ranked as the #5 commerce park in the country. Volvo Car USA established its first North American manufacturing plant at Camp Hall in 2018, and in 2022, Redwood Materials, a producer battery components for electric vehicles, announced plans to establish operations within the park. Slated to create 1,500 jobs, Redwood's $3.5 billion investment marks the largest economic development announcement in the history of the Palmetto State.

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Magnolia

Upon completion, Magnolia will create a master-planned destination on the upper peninsula in Charleston, just ten minutes from historic Downtown. Approximately 1,000 of the 4,000 residential units are slated to be part of the Phase One development Located near the Ashely River waterfront on the western edge of the site, Phase One will feature a market rate, luxury rate, active adult, and garden wrap community to appeal to a wide range of renters and drive absorption. Phase One will also include 200,000 SF of office, 15,000 SF of standalone retail, 20,000 SF of a concert venue, 50,000 sf of a neighborhood retail, a convention hotel, a luxury hotel, a public dock, and public greenspace.

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Sawmill Mixed-Use

The highly anticipated project will have immediate and long lasting impacts on Summerville. The mission of this property it to provide a connected, community-oriented environment where people can live, convene and enjoy. Sawmill will help the local Summerville government better respond to the growing demand for walkable, vibrant communities with convenient transit linkages, proximity to jobs and access to nearby public services. This property will feature a wide variety of uses, including office, retail, self-storage, and multi-family. Breweries, restaurants, banks, service amenities, transit solutions, and green space are all part of the plan. Lee & Associates is developing and leasing the project.

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Navy Yard Charleston

Beginning its operation as a working dry dock in 1901, Navy Yard Charleston has maintained a naval presence on the North Charleston waterfront for nearly a century. Today, the site includes the former Naval Hospital – North Charleston's tallest building at ten stories, a neoclassical power plant, and a series of storehouses. In partnership with local developers, national developer Jamestown plans to reposition the 45-acre site into a mixed-use neighborhood. The redevelopment will bring more than 1.2 million square feet of new office space, residences, shopping, and dining to the nearby Park Circle neighborhood, as well as new green spaces, a concert hall, and an outdoor events venue. Lee & Associates is currently leasing the office portion of the project.

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Courier Square

A redevelopment project known as Courier Square Phase III took another step forward in January 2024 during a Charleston City Council meeting. 134 Columbus Street was once home to the Post and Courier. The 3.7-acre property is slated to be transformed into a vibrant mixed-used neighborhood. Phases 1 & 2 are already completed, and features 70,000 Class-A Office, 19,000 SF Retail, and 229 apartments. The next phase is marked for the redevelopment of the Post & Courier's former office and printing facility into Class-A office and retail.

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Uptown at Centre Pointe

Uptown at Centre Pointe is a mixed-use development in North Charleston near Tanger Outlets and the North Charleston Convention Center. Development is slated to inlcude hotels, office, retail/restaurants, and parking. Directly adjacent to Charleston's first TopGolf location (which opened in 2022), this project seeks to catalyze the heart of North Charleston with a dense, urban environment.

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