Top Master-Planned Communities in the Greater Charleston Area

Nexton
Nexton may not be an actual town, but it certainly feels like one. Located in Summerville, this innovative, master-planned community offers residents a unique blend of modern amenities and natural beauty. With gigabit-speed internet and smart home technology, it’s designed for both convenience and connectivity.

Cane Bay Plantation
Cane Bay Plantation, located in Berkeley County and adjacent to Nexton, is a well-established and continually expanding community that has been a top selling community in South Carolina for the last ten years. Gramling Brothers began developing this 7,000 acre master- planned community in the early 2000s with several phases contributing to its growth. You’ll find a variety of neighborhoods within Cane Bay Plantation, including single-family homes, townhomes, age-restricted communities, and more, with pricing from the $300s through the $700s.
 
Notable builders such as Lennar, Centex, and DRB Elevate each offer unique home designs and features, catering to a wide range of homebuyers
 


An extensive network of walking and biking trails connects neighborhoods to nearby shopping and schools, with well-designed overpasses allowing children to bypass the main road safely. The newest phase introduces waterfront properties along a sweeping 300-acre lake system—a standout amenity unique to the Lowcountry.
 
Cane Bay donated 68 acres at the heart of the community for the Cane Bay Family YMCA, one of the largest in South Carolina. This 54,000-square-foot facility features an elevated walking track, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, basketball and tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, health, and wellness programs, and a 25-yard aquatics education center. What makes this YMCA truly special is its collaboration with Berkeley County to house a public library, a first-of-its-kind partnership. Now open, this top-tier facility serves as a community hub where people can come together to nurture a healthy spirit, mind, and body for generations to come.
 
Cane Bay Plantation offers a comprehensive education experience, with three public schools—Cane Bay Elementary, Cane Bay Middle, and Cane Bay High School—within the Berkeley County School District. Additionally, the community is home to Berkeley Preparatory Academy, a tuition-free public charter school. Consistently a top-selling community in South Carolina, Cane Bay Plantation remains a popular choice for homebuyers.
 
Cane Bay Featured Amenities:

• Neighborhood Pools & Playgrounds: often featuring pavilions, cabanas and social areas
• Saltwater Kayak Launch: providing easy access to the lake
• Walking Trails: miles of walkways that wind through lush scenery and marshes
• Dog Parks: providing residents and their pets with dedicated spaces for exercise and socialization
• Community YMCA:  Cane Bay Family YMCA is one of the largest in the state
• Berkeley County Library: a full service collaboration between a county library and a YMCA

 
Carnes Crossroads Plantation
Carnes Crossroads is a well-established community with ongoing new construction and a variety of outdoor amenities, including parks, playgrounds, trails, a pool, splash zones, and the Green Barn, which serves as a hub for community events. The community combines the tranquility of farm life with the convenience of modern living. An Agrihood is under construction, providing opportunities for experiential living, such as volunteer farm days, workshops, and educational tours. Additional amenities, like The Lake House and a resort-style pool with lounge seating, will soon enhance the community, along with access to fresh, organically grown produce from an upcoming 11-acre farm.
 


The first home in Carnes Crossroads was sold in 2013, marking the beginning of this vibrant master-planned community in Summerville, SC. Over the years, the development has continued to expand, attracting homebuyers with its Southern charm, modern amenities, and thoughtful design. The community features a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and custom-built homes, providing a range of options for buyers. Home prices typically range from the mid $300,000s to the high $600,000s, depending on the size, design, and location within the community. Many of the homes are designed with Southern-inspired architecture, including spacious front porches, modern interiors, and energy-efficient features, offering a blend of charm and functionality for today’s homebuyers.
 
Lennar, one of the nation’s top home builders, recently announced four new home collections now selling at Carnes Crossroads. These new single-family homes were all designed to complement the southern charm with pricing from the mid $400s.
 
Carnes Crossroads Featured Amenities:

• 25-Meter Pool: featuring lap lanes, a beach entry and splash zone
• Green Barn: Restored barn serving as open-air community gathering space
• Village Green: Located in the St. Thomas Park neighborhood, it plays host to many outdoor events throughout the year
• Phillips Park: The towering and colorful play structures in Philips Park present climbing and interactive opportunities 
• Lake James Dock: the perfect fishing spot
• Trails: Take a stroll, a bike ride, or a refreshing jog.
• Future Carolyn Lewis School: Stay tuned for Carolyn Lewis School - an exciting new school serving K-8 at Carnes Crossroads.
• COMING SOON - The Lake House: A waterfront amenity offering spaces for events, gatherings, and relaxation by the water
• COMING SOON – Pool & Slide Tower, Pickleball Tennis and Basketball Courts, Wellness Center, and Lake Hewitt Access.

  
Summers Corner
Distinguishing itself from typical master-planned communities, Summers Corner embodies the charm of Lowcountry living with a modern twist. Located just outside Charleston in Summerville, SC, it offers a serene, nature-centric lifestyle with a focus on community and outdoor spaces. Characterized by its lush landscapes, beautiful gardens, and inviting streetscapes, the community creates an environment where residents can enjoy both the tranquility of nature and the conveniences of contemporary living.
 
Lennar, one of America’s premier homebuilders, launched home sales in Summers Corner in 2015. By 2017, the community had already reached a milestone of 100 homes sold. In 2023, it earned national recognition, ranking #25 among the Top Selling Master-Planned Communities by RCLCO Real Estate Consulting, a testament to its commitment to quality design and innovative development.



Summers Corner offers a variety of distinct neighborhoods with new home collections that cater to various lifestyles, including options for families and 55+ active adults. Heron's Walk , positioned near downtown Summerville and Azalea Park, provides single-family homes with easy access to local amenities and natural surroundings. Sweetgrass, known for its open floor plans and spacious homes, is ideal for family living, and enjoys close proximity to the community’s extensive amenities. Horizons at Summers Corner is a new gated active adult community exclusive to those 55+. Featuring three distinct 55+ home collections, Horizons at Summers Corner includes its own set of private resort-style amenities among the many offered by Summers Corner. The amenities in this 55+ neighborhood are designed for active living and include its own exclusive resort-style swimming pool, state-of-the-art clubhouse, miles of walking trails and more.
 
Summers Corner boasts miles of scenic walking trails, several neighborhood parks, and the stunning Buffalo Lake, where residents can kayak, fish, or simply relax by the water. The Commons, the heart of Summers Corner, features the Corner House Café, a gathering spot for neighbors to connect over coffee, and the performing arts center, where cultural events and activities take place throughout the year. Education is a key component of life at Summers Corner, with the community being home to Sand Hill Elementary School and Rollings Middle School of the Arts, both located within the neighborhood. This ensures that families have access to quality education without leaving the community.
 
Lennar has brought in the best local and national talent to create a new model for town-building—one that weaves together beautiful new homes, artful parks, natural open spaces, and local retail offerings to form a tight-knit community. It all comes together in a place that looks both forward and back—as they celebrate the small-town feel of Summerville and the easy, friendly cadence of life in the Lowcountry. Summers Corner is part of the East Edisto region, a vast area between the Edisto and Ashley rivers, spanning both Dorchester and Charleston counties.

     
 

• The Corner House Café: Beyond its role as a café and information center, the Corner House stands as a communal hub at the heart of Summers Corner. It's where residents gather for a cup of coffee, attend various community events, or simply enjoy the company of neighbors. The Corner House embodies the spirit of community living, offering a welcoming space for relaxation, engagement, and the exchange of ideas. Its presence enriches the community's social fabric, making it easier for residents to connect and build lasting friendships.
• Private Clubhouse: A focal point for community activities, featuring an expansive indoor space that includes a lap pool and a well-equipped fitness center.
• Pools & Recreational Amenities: Residents have access to a variety of outdoor facilities, including pools, tennis courts, pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, and a putting green, encouraging active and healthy lifestyles.
• Walking Trails: Miles of walking trails meander around the scenic 95-acre Buffalo Lake, offering peaceful and picturesque routes for walking, jogging, or cycling.
• Buffalo Lake: A centerpiece of the community, offering residents opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, alongside scenic picnic areas and walking trails around its perimeter. It's a natural haven for leisure and outdoor activities.
• Community Clubs: The social fabric of Summers Corner is further strengthened by a variety of community clubs and organizations that cater to a wide range of interests and hobbies. From gardening clubs that take advantage of the community's natural beauty to book clubs, cooking classes, and sports leagues, there's something for everyone. These clubs provide residents with opportunities to connect, learn new skills, and engage in their interests, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit. 
• Onsite Schools: Reflecting a strong emphasis on education, the community features schools within the Dorchester District Two school system, ensuring high-quality education is just a short walk away from home.
• Performing Arts Center: This cultural venue hosts a variety of performances, enriching the community with arts and entertainment, and providing a stage for local talent to shine.
• The Club at Summers Corner: The Club at Summers Corner goes beyond the ordinary pool and cabana setup. It features a lagoon-inspired design with expansive pools that include a variety of exceptional amenities. These include a dedicated area for children complete with an aquatic play structure, an adult zone for more serene enjoyment, a poolside bar for refreshments, thrilling water slides for all ages, and luxurious poolside cabanas for relaxation.

 
Point Hope
Point Hope, located within the City of Charleston, SC, is a community that beautifully extends the city’s renowned walkability, rich history, and vibrant culture. Steeped in its own historical significance, the land that Point Hope now occupies has been a cherished gathering place for families over generations. Annexed into Charleston more than 20 years ago as part of the city's growth plan, Point Hope has been thoughtfully designed to honor its legacy while embracing a dynamic future.
 
    

The community features forward-thinking homes that emphasize a connection to the outdoors, crafted by leading builders like Pulte Homes. The inaugural neighborhoods, First Light and Hopewell, set the standard for the community’s residential offerings. These homes are complemented by meticulously planned trails that weave throughout the area, encouraging residents to connect with the land, its history, and each other. The trails not only provide scenic routes for walking and biking but also reinforce the community’s commitment to maintaining the natural beauty and heritage of the area.
 
At the heart of Point Hope is a walkable core filled with shops, restaurants, and some of the region’s top schools, creating a vibrant hub for daily life.
 
Pulte Homes introduced its new home offerings in Point Hope’s first neighborhood, First Light, and later expanded into the second neighborhood, Hopewell. Due to high demand, homesites are currently sold out, but additional phases are planned soon so stay tuned for future availability!
 
 

 
Related Articles:
Summers Corner: #25 in the NATION for Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities
Sneak Peek of Del Webb Nexton’s Newest Amenities
New Summers Corner Pool to Become Largest in Charleston Area
Carnes Crossroads Unveils Exciting Amenities for Its Agrihood Community
Experience the Charm of Nexton