South Creek by Beechwood Carolinas, a New Mixed-Use Community in Heart of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Approved by Town of Chapel Hill

Beechwood Carolinas, a division of The Beechwood Organization – one of the largest privately-owned developers of single-family homes, multi-family homes and luxury lifestyle communities on the East Coast – moves forward with plans for a new mixed-use development, South Creek by Beechwood. South Creek’s 815-home community with 21,000 to 52,000 square feet of commercial and retail space across 43 acres will be the newest and most significant mixed-use community in Chapel Hill in over two decades and among Beechwood’s largest communities.

Located at 4511 South Columbia Street along the 15-501 corridor in southern Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the 43-acre property will feature approximately 815 market-rate and affordable housing for rent and for-sale in a range of sizes and styles – including mid-rise apartment buildings, condominiums and townhomes – in addition to commercial, retail and community open spaces.

“We are proud to become a part of the Town of Chapel Hill. South Creek will be one of the finest mixed-use communities Beechwood has ever created, applying our deep experience and best practices gained in our 35 years of developing world-class communities.

South Creek will be an urban living experience that embraces the unique and diverse community of Chapel Hill. Our vision is to enhance quality of life for current and future residents with new homes, new shops and new open space for community gathering in a destination all can enjoy and be proud of,” says Steven Dubb, Principal, The Beechwood Organization.

“We will provide the greater Chapel Hill community with a development that speaks to its residential and commercial real estate needs in a way that encompasses our shared values: sustainability, stewardship, environmentalism, inclusiveness and responsible growth.

Over the past two years, we consulted with local groups and individuals to understand the Town’s hopes and wishes for South Creek. Now we will build it,” says Robert Kardos, Regional President, Beechwood Carolinas.

CHAPEL HILL TO GAIN RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL SPACE

Following unanimous rezoning approval from council members of the Town of Chapel Hill on June 7, 2023, Beechwood will begin the land development stage in preparation for construction to begin in late 2024 and first occupancy in 2025. Beechwood continues to work alongside local and regional talent, including architectural firm FMK Architects and Lee Bowman of Legion Land & Development, since purchasing the property in 2021.

The development’s site plan includes various residential options for future renters and buyers, including 120 apartments, 606 condominiums, and 89 townhomes. The apartments and condominiums will offer a mix of product options, including studio, 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom floor plans, ranging in size from 525 to 2,725 square feet. The townhomes will be available in three varying floor plans ranging in size from 1,600 to 2,900 square feet. With a total of 815 residences, 15 percent of the for-sale homes will be designated as affordable homes – providing Chapel Hill with the largest number of affordable for-sale and rental residences in any recent development. The broad array of housing types offered at South Creek is suited to meet the diverse housing needs of Chapel Hill.

Accompanying the residential component will be 21,000 to 52,000 total square feet of commercial and retail space based on local market needs and demand. Beechwood will design the commercial buildings to accent the residential elements and create an environment where locals and homeowners can connect with their community. A vibrant entrance corridor will lead into a streetscape that frames an intimate atmosphere, encouraging outdoor dining, casual strolling and community engagement. Additionally, site-specific public art and eye-catching signage will create focal points of interest and conversation throughout the development. Plentiful EV charging stations and bicycle parking throughout the community, coupled with easy access to the Bus Rapid Transit, will encourage sustainable modes of transportation and connectivity.

OPEN SPACE FOR COMMUNITY GATHERING TO ENHANCE DEVELOPMENT

As a collective gathering space, a plaza centered around an open lawn will offer room for community uses, such as group events, live entertainment, outdoor fitness classes, holiday celebrations and more. Adjacent to the plaza will sit a larger green space, inviting opportunities for additional outdoor activities, such as food truck rodeos, farmers markets, community festivals, concerts, speaker series and more. This centralized area will feature terraced hillside seating and shelter for daily social activities and events, accented by thoughtful landscaping and more public art.

South Creek joins other significant developments by Beechwood including its flagship Charlotte, North Carolina community, the 217-home Lakeside Pointe on Lake Norman sited on over 83 acres of waterfront property; the master planned 2300-home Arverne by the Sea in Rockaway Beach, Queens, NY with 125,000 square feet of retail space including a 55,000-square-foot supermarket and 45,000-square-foot YMCA recognized by the Urban Land Institute for its Super Storm Sandy resiliency; the 750-home NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) award-winning Country Pointe in Plainview, NY with 118,450-square-foot retail plaza and 57-acres of land dedicated for public recreation; and the 720-home Meadowbrook Pointe Athletic Club & Spa active adult community in Westbury, NY with 25,000-square-foot clubhouse which set the benchmark for luxury condominium living on Long Island.

The Beechwood Organization is ranked at the forefront of privately-owned residential developers nationwide and on the East Coast. It is one of the largest developers of single-family homes, multi-family homes and sophisticated lifestyle communities in New York State ranking #58 of 245 U.S Housing Giants by Professional Builder Magazine. Since 1985, Beechwood has built more than 9,500 homes in 70 communities. Since 2017, it has averaged 3.9 million square feet in new developments annually with future ones on the map from New York to the Carolinas.

Beechwood founder and chief executive Michael Dubb, with son and principal Steven Dubb, are renowned for their innovative and forward thinking in “not just selling a home, but a lifestyle” with signature quality construction and design for the way sophisticated buyers and renters want to live today. Their company is known for its commitment to thoughtful land planning and design, repurposing disused land, building in harmony with nature and creating a benefit for all residents.

Since 2021, Beechwood carries these values forward to North Carolina. With thoughtful proposals for new residential developments, starting in Charlotte and Chapel Hill, under the aegis of Robert Kardos, Regional President, Carolinas, who has led the development of new construction homes across the Carolinas for more than 35 years.

Beechwood’s vision for the Carolinas is to enhance quality of life for both residents and the distinguished communities in which it develops. Home styles in every community are designed specifically for their location and reflective of the Beechwood commitment to its buyers for newly built homes that embody innovative design, wellness, eco-friendliness, and smart home living.