By Barry Waldman
Contributing Writer
The local master planned community named the best in the nation has begun to work on another phase, on the way to 7,500 residences. This new phase of the Nexton communities in Summerville and Berkeley County are expected to add apartments for rent, hotels, office space and 150,000 square feet of shopping and dining space when it is completely built out over the next five to seven years.
Nexton has sold nearly 24 acres to Charlotte-based Crosland Southeast, which plans to develop the new One Nexton segment in multiple phases, starting this coming summer. The first phase of One Nexton will include 351 new apartments and 37,500 square feet of retail space anchored by a Publix supermarket.
One Nexton is consistent with the mixed-use development philosophy of the larger Nexton community, which sits between Interstate 26 and US Highway 176 and was named the “Master-Planned Community of the Year” in 2021 by the National Association of Homebuilders.
Nexton sold 456 homes in 2020 and another 576 in 2021 to earn a spot on the RCLCO Real Estate Advisors list of fastest-growing planned communities. More than 1,800 homes currently comprise greater Nexton, including 250 under construction.
Located at the northeast corner of Brighton Park Boulevard and Nexton Parkway, the first phase of One Nexton will break ground in the summer and is expected to be complete in the fall of 2024.
“One Nexton illustrates that Nexton continues to be a national leader in modern community design,” said Brent Gibadlo, vice president and general manager of Nexton. “By fostering thoughtful commercial and residential growth along Charleston’s I-26 growth corridor, we can provide everything our residents want and need while cutting down on commute times and improving the quality of life by allowing them to live, work and play and shop all within a short walk or drive from their homes.”
One Nexton will include green space, parks and trails that connect to the rest of Nexton. The master plan for the entire Nexton development calls for 50 miles of walking/biking trails; 2,000 of the total 5,000 acres set aside for woodlands, wetlands and open space; and 400 acres of offices, commercial and retail.
One Nexton is the latest phase of the community, built one section at a time over the past decade. Originally developed by WestRock, the real estate company that was formed from the lumber giant MeadWestvaco. Today, the development is under development by Brookfield Residentialwhich acquired the previous developer, Newland, last year.
Nexton’s previous phase to begin development was Midtown, five districts built around a central area of shops, restaurants and a wellness center complete with tennis center, lap pool, yoga studio and more. That followed on the heels last year of Downtown Nexton, 100 acres between Sigma Drive and Brighton Park offering the same amenities and walkability.