$36 million Carolina Station development breaks ground

HIC Land, a Charleston-based real estate investment and land development company, has broken ground on Carolina Station, a $36 million, 2,600-acre master-planned community that will bring new homes, businesses, and infrastructure improvements to Hardeeville’s growing U.S. 278 corridor.

Located on the historic Morgan Tract, the large-scale development marks one of the most significant residential and commercial projects in Hardeeville’s recent history. Developed in partnership with D.R. Horton, the nation’s largest homebuilder, Carolina Station will feature more than 650 multifamily units, 95 acres of commercial space, and a network of parks, trails, and sidewalks.

“This groundbreaking represents more than just the start of construction — it marks the realization of a vision to create a thriving community that blends opportunity, connection and quality of life,” said Stefan Hoyer, founder and CEO of HIC Land. “Local and national developers pursued this land for more than 25 years without success, so we’re proud to be the team that finally brought it across the finish line.”

Infrastructure upgrades surrounding Carolina Station are also planned. D.R. Horton has committed $8 million toward improvements at the U.S. 278 and John Smith Road intersection, including new turn lanes and a traffic signal. The project will also include a new “spine road” connecting Highway 278 and Highway 46 to improve east-west access through the area.

“This project reflects Hardeeville’s commitment to thoughtful, sustainable growth,” said Mayor Harry Williams. “We need nurses, first responders and teachers — and they need quality starter homes like what D.R. Horton is building. Carolina Station will bring housing, jobs and new opportunities to our community while strengthening the infrastructure that supports our city and region.”

Carolina Station will be developed in multiple phases, creating hundreds of local construction and service jobs while contributing to Hardeeville’s tax base. Its location provides convenient access to Hilton Head Island, Savannah and major employers such as Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, which is projected to support up to 8,500 jobs in the nearby Savannah area.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity to deliver one of D.R. Horton’s flagship communities,” said Brad Brundage, president of D.R. Horton’s Coastal Carolina region. “Together with HIC Land, we’re creating a place that residents will be proud to call home for generations.”

For more information, visit www.hicland.com or www.drhorton.com.