Developer closes on property for Kiawah’s 1st community for 62+ residents

Listen to this article

Kiawah Island has a lot of allure in a pandemic: beaches, outdoor activities, seclusion.

The island development will also soon have its first 62+ community, Seafields at Kiawah Island.

Newly formed not-for-profit Kiawah Life Plan Village Inc. just closed on a 9-acre site from Kiawah Partners, a subsidiary of South Street Partners, for the $180 million project, a news release said. Big Rock Partners, a national developer of luxury senior living, will develop the project that is expected to break ground this fall.

The community will meet the demand of today’s seniors by offering luxury housing where they can “age in place” and health care with an in-house medical clinic operated by Medical University of South Carolina, the release said.

“Over the next five years, it is anticipated that there will be (about) 31,000 additional 65+ residents in the Sea Islands (Johns, Kiawah and Seabrook) area. This project was initiated to meet an identified need for a world-class residential facility promoting an active lifestyle, focused on health and wellness,” said Richard Ackerman, managing partner, in a statement.

Kiawah Island Real Estate is managing sales and marketing for all 98 of Seafields’ one-, two- and three-bedroom residences. The community additionally will have 16 assisted living and continuing service care centers.

“We have worked hand in hand with Big Rock and MUSC Health to bring this concept to fruition,” Kiawah Island Partners partner Chris Randolph said. “We heard the needs of our Kiawah residents, and those of the neighboring communities, and there was no question that Big Rock and MUSC Health were the natural fit — given our historical ties and the fact that they are the best in their class.”

Adding even more medical services to island residents, in fall 2023, Kiawah Partners and MUSC anticipate opening the Sea Islands Feestanding Emergency Department, a five-plus-year venture. This facility will provide 24/7 lifesaving care in its emergency department with trauma rooms, an onsite lab, four exam rooms, imaging technology, and a helipad for the fastest possible transfers.