In Feburary, leaders broke ground on Charleston’s largest mixed-use project, Magnolia Landing (which will span 192 acres total). The construction of this waterfront neighborhood will involve several phases, beginning with roadwork. With a full build-out anticipated by 2040, the area plans to welcome its first residents as soon as 2027.

We caught up with Clark Davis, the CEO of Highland Resources, the real estate investment firm behind the project. Keep reading to see how things are going and what he’s looking forward to most with this project.

Officials break ground on the new neighborhood — and if you look closely, you may see Charles Towne Landing across the river. | Photo courtesy of Magnolia Landing.

What excites you most about the Magnolia Landing project?
It’s almost unheard of to find a stretch of waterfront this large, central, and full of potential, especially in a 350-year-old city like Charleston. We’ve spent years restoring the land and doing detailed planning, and now we finally get to shape it into something new. That doesn’t happen often. It’s both a privilege and a responsibility, and that’s what makes it exciting.

What does adding housing, retail, offices, and waterfront access do for this area of the peninsula?
The Neck has always had less development focus, falling between downtown and North Charleston. It will be the connection point for Charleston. We’re creating a neighborhood where people can live, work, meet friends for dinner, and walk by the water. Magnolia Landing will be restoring over a mile of the Ashley River shoreline for use by future generations. That’s a big deal, not just for this corner of the city, but for the way people experience Charleston. With future connections to the Lowline and Lowcountry Rapid Transit, it’ll be easier than ever to access the waterfront for all of Charleston.

The Magnolia Landing development will span 192 acres. | Rendering courtesy of Magnolia Landing

Phase one is now underway. How do you think Charleston will change once this stage is complete?
Phase one sets the tone — it makes Magnolia Landing real to all Charlestonians. Charleston will gain a new hub of excitement with the completion of this massive first phase. This first phase will include new homes, create new jobs, substantial public green space, and a signature waterfront destination. We think it will begin to shift the city’s center of gravity northward in a way that feels organic and exciting. And just as importantly, it will help reintroduce people to the Ashley River, enjoying the natural beauty, sunsets, and peace it brings.

Magnolia Landing emphasizes environmental restoration and flood resilience. Do you think this will become the new standard for waterfront development?
We hope so. From the start, we knew this site had to be done right. That meant cleaning up long-standing industrial pollution, restoring marshland, and raising the land to keep buildings safe from future flooding. When it’s complete, Magnolia will be one of the most elevated waterfront communities in Charleston. With rising seas and stronger storms, this kind of thoughtful, resilient design is essential. We are proud to be able to develop this site in a manner that could provide a path for future developments to create additional thoughtful, resilient developments.

What milestones are you most eager to see next?
The first actual new streets. That’s when it will all start to feel real – when we can walk the blocks and picture what's coming. We’re especially excited for the opening of the waterfront park, with a marina on one side and four jewel box restaurants on the other. It’s not just a destination; it’s a gathering place where you can bring your family to play, meet friends to watch the sunset, or just wander along the water when you need a moment of peace. These experiences are the heart of Magnolia, and we can’t wait for Charleston to experience them.

Refresh yourself on how leaders and developers say this project aims to serve the Lowcountry.