'Can't put into words': Heartwood developer shares update on growing community
As motorists travel along Great Ogeechee Parkway, they are greeted by the sign “Outfitters Park". It's a reminder of what will one day be a 10,000-home community known as Heartwood at Richmond Hill.
Outfitters Park, home to the community playground, fitness classes and more, boasts pristine lawns and a 4,000 square foot resort-style swimming pool, which sets the stage for just a few of the amenities offered to residents.
As Bill Cunningham, vice president of real estate for Raydient Places and Properties, drives through the neighborhood, he talks about the joy it brings to see his development come to life.
“I can’t even put it into words,” said Cunningham. “I’m really thankful to have people choose to live here and call it home. It’s validating at a minimum.”
Heartwood at Richmond Hill is thriving and construction continues to be on schedule.
Four miles of trails in the first phase of the community is complete and Heartwood saw its first closing a year ago. Now, there are more than 50 families in the Loblolly subdivision to date.
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Loblolly will see 300 homes upon completion. The community’s next development, Tupelo, will see 120 homes to start and site work for the subdivision is underway.
Construction for the Be Health Center is also underway. The medical campus is being built to provide health and wellness services for its future residents.
“Part of the mission at St. Joseph’s/Candler is to not only treat illness but to promote wellness,” said President and CEO of St. Joseph's/Candler, Paul P. Hinchey during the announcement of the facility last year. “We proposed implementing a unique version of our Bē Health & Well-Being lifestyle initiative in the new Heartwood community, one that would be focused on impacting the health of Heartwood residents, while expanding access to other health care services for all residents in the Richmond Hill area.”
In addition, storage business Stop N Stor and convenience store EnMarket are coming in the near future.Luxury apartments are coming to the community, too. Real estate firms Novare Group and Batson Cook Development Company have teamed up to bring luxury apartments to Heartwood. The 302-unit complex will feature one, two and three bedrooms and begin leasing in fall 2024.
The influx of residents moving to Bryan County means there is a need for various types of housing. In addition, Cunningham said it is good to have options for folks who do not meet the requirements to buy a home.
“When you don't have a down payment, when you don’t have the credit score and all these different things, this just provides housing for a broader range of folks,” said Cunningham.”
Dell Webb, a company that specializes in 55 plus restricted living, is bringing single family homes to the community. Cunningham expects site work to start in the fall.
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“We’re really pleased that they selected us and I think it will be a nice complement to what we're offering,” said Cunningham.
Cunningham said he wants to go to market for a new grocery sight but has not solidified a candidate yet.
On the industrial side, there is more than 2.5 million feet under construction.
In May, a developer’s agreement was signed with Bryan County to widen a portion of Belfast Keller Road from Hyundai Mobis past the new high school.
“Everything is coming together and a lot has happened over the last couple months,” said Cunningham. “It’s good to see everything coming together.”
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Developments and construction ongoing in Heartwood community
