CHARLOTTE, NC—A 556-acre, master-planned community in York County, S.C., is on the drawing boards. The project marks Crescent Communities' first new residential project in the Charlotte area since 2008. Early planning anticipates development to begin in late 2014.

“The location of this land on the Catawba River outside Charlotte is ideally suited to our approach to master-planned community development—great schools, easy access to major roadways and employment centers, and 556 acres on which to create a community where residents can enjoy open green space, social amenities and the river life,” says Andy Carmody, president of Crescent's residential group. The plans include two parcels of land.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, York County's population increased at a rate nearly twice that of the state as a whole in the past two years and new services and businesses are coming to the area to serve the new residents. The Crescent site is next to site of a hospital proposed by Carolinas HealthCare System and a future Fort Mill school, and the Crescent master-planned community will include neighborhood retail and office space along Interstate 77 as well as a possible multifamily element.

“Crescent Communities has experienced significant growth in the region,” Glenn says. “The greater Charlotte area continues to grow, and York County has a major need for new homes that offer the balanced lifestyle today's families desire. It's a lifestyle choice that we're seeing reflected in many major residential areas across the country.” 

Crescent will develop 282 acres along Sutton Road on property that it has owned since launching the company in 1969. Crescent has also entered into an agreement to acquire 274 acres south of its parcel to extend the community lines south along the Catawba River and east to Interstate 77.

Crescent will purchase the additional acres from the Culture & Heritage Foundation. The foundation will continue to own 60 acres on the riverfront for future public use.

“This property has a rich history and beautiful topography with its river views, forests and quarry, and we intend to preserve its character,” says Crescent senior vice president Keith Glenn. “Amenities such as walking and hiking trails and green spaces will honor the land and create a space where our residents can connect with the outdoors and with each other.”

A development agreement with the Town of Fort Mill and an extensive memorandum of agreement with the Catawba Indian Nation and state agencies to ensure protection of archeological discoveries on the property will guide the development process. Crescent plans to work closely with the Catawba Indian Nation, which is the only federally recognized tribe in South Carolina, and the foundation to honor the land's history and greater York County community.