A concise overview of the key developments driving infrastructure and housing expansion in the Ocean Isle Beach and Highway 17 corridors.
By BC News Staff Writer
Brunswick County, North Carolina is experiencing a significant residential surge as four major projects – Ocean Isle Palms, LaDane Gardens, The Riverbank at Ocean Isle, and The Tides advance through construction and regulatory phases. Collectively representing thousands of new units, these developments are centered on the high-growth Ocean Isle Beach and Highway 17 corridors. As of early 2026, this activity highlights sustained housing demand, requiring local officials to balance dense expansion with wetland preservation and traffic safety.
Ocean Isle Palms is the most substantial project currently in active construction and sales. Located at Highway 17 and Hickway Road NW, this Toll Brothers and Del Webb community is approved for over 2,500 units. Recent 2026 marketing features floor plans starting in the mid-$400,000s alongside a 160,000-square-foot “Village Center” designed as a regional retail hub.
Following in scale is LaDane Gardens (Project PD-170), a 408-acre development off Beach Drive SW (NC 179). Reviewed by the Planning Board in February 2026, this Toll Brothers project consists of 525 single-family lots. To protect 120 acres of on-site wetlands, the developer utilized a low-density plan of 1.29 units per acre, prioritizing open space and advanced stormwater management.
Further inland, The Riverbank at Ocean Isle (Project PD-169) cleared its primary regulatory hurdles in late 2025. This 115-unit Lennar Carolinas subdivision occupies 45 acres along Highway 17. To address safety concerns, the developer has committed to a comprehensive traffic impact analysis and the installation of a dedicated turn lane to manage increased vehicle volume at the community’s entrance.
Finally, The Tides represents the market’s premium tier, focusing on luxury custom builds and high-value parcels near Stone Ballast Way and the Intracoastal Waterway. Unlike the larger master-planned communities, activity here centers on boutique, high-end growth integrated with coastal preservation efforts. Together, these four projects illustrate Brunswick County’s diverse real estate landscape, ranging from national-scale communities to exclusive coastal retreats.
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