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Kiawah River Master Plan

Johns Island, SC

October 2025
Kiawah River Master Plan
Kiawah River is a waterfront master plan developed by The Beach Company that spans 2,000 acres on Johns Island, South Carolina. With a working farm, livestock, and expansive natural landscapes, Kiawah organically evolved into an agrhihood. Beyond the farmland, Kiawah River succeeds providing a destination where residents can stay active and enjoy a calendar full of events. As of September 2025, around 400 homes have been completed, and at buildout, Kiawah River will have approximately 1,000 homes ranging from cottages and townhomes to multi-million-dollar custom homes.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Kiawah River broke ground on their first homes in 2019. However, this project was years in the making. Located in Charleston County with a complex natural landscape and several involved special interest groups, Kiawah River took 10 years to entitle. Sustainability and environmental stewardship are core values at Kiawah River. The plan preserves about half of the land for existing farmland, wetland, and ponds, etc., creating a beautiful, natural backdrop for the development. Complementing the natural amenities, Kiawah River includes the Spring House amenity center, several sports courts, two dog parks, and a boutique hotel called the Dunlin.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
The site offers 10 miles of waterfront along the Kiawah River and ponds and 20 miles of walking trails. Pre-development research revealed prospective buyers prioritized nature and walking paths above golf, a finding that fundamentally shaped the development strategy. Wetlands preservation not only maintains authenticity of the land but also appeals to buyers seeking authentic coastal low country living. Roseate Spoonbills, migratory birds that appeared when the community opened, still inhabit the community and are often woven into Kiawah River’s storytelling.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Farmland is key to Kiawah River’s identity. Rather than clearing agricultural operations, the team integrated them into the site plan, evolving into an "agrihood" designation. Kiawah River Farm is 100-acre working farm managed in partnership with local Johns Islands farmers.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Located at the entrance of the community, Kiawah River Farm is the first thing most visitors and residents see. The developer jokes that you “see a cow before you meet a real estate agent.” The few hundred cattle, chickens, and goats have been integral to Kiawah River.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Along Kiawah River, The Goatery & Creamery is a grade A dairy farm and goat sanctuary. Beyond that, it is a community gathering space, and family attraction. The Goatery attracts approximately 50,000 annual visitors for community events, birthday parties, and goat yoga, which sells out every Saturday morning.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Fourth-generation farmers on the property, Oliver, Ike, and Earl Freeman, grow an array of crops throughout the year, including melons, squashes, butter beans, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Rosebank Farms has been a staple of Johns Island for several decades. The developer recruited them to build a farmstand at Kiawah River that would serve as a hub for local farmers.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Located at the entrance of the community, the Rosebank Farmstand is a “one-stop shop for farm-to-table ingredients, ready-to-enjoy meals, handmade pies, and curated gifts from local artisans” that solidifies the community’s brand as an agrihood.
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Kiawah River Master Plan

Rosebank Farms farmstand

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Kiawah River Master Plan
Before selling lots, the Beach Company started planning their amenity center, Spring House. This 9,000-square swim and fitness center signaled the developers’ commitment to creating lifestyle from day one. Designed by architect Beau Clowney, The Spring House has won several awards including 2023 Best in American Living Silver Award for “Community Facility, 1000+ Units.”
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Kiawah River Master Plan
The second story fitness center occupies some of the best views in the building with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pool deck and river beyond. The Spring House includes junior Olympic-sized pool as well as…
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Kiawah River Master Plan
…a smaller leisure pool and shaded bar.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
The expansive deck transitions from pool areas to waterfront gathering zones suitable for intimate conversations or large events.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
This covered porch captures the community’s breezy, low-country vibe and sunset reflections that glow across the river.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Interior spaces balance casual coastal style with sophisticated finishes.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
The multi-purpose room provides flexible space for fitness classes, meetings, private events, or casual gathering.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
The fitness center occupies the prime views overlooking marsh and river. The developer could have placed a revenue generating operation here but decided to reserve this for everyday residents that want to work out.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Saunas round out the wellness experience, providing a serene place to sweat and rejuvenate. Part of providing a holistic healthy lifestyle includes medical facilities. Kiawah River is 10 minutes from two major hospitals in the area, the MUSC Health Kiawah Partners Pavilion and Roper Hospital.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Spring House restrooms maintain coastal sophisticated aesthetic.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
The meeting room provides professional-quality space for resident use, remote work, and community gatherings. A long, covered deck invites workers to take a break and enjoy the salt air breeze.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
The Dunlin boutique hotel with 72 cottage-style guest rooms that opened in August 2024. Designed by architect Robert Glazier with interiors by Amanda Lindroth, this Auberge Resorts Collection property features the signature Linnette's restaurant, which sources from local fishermen and neighboring Kiawah River farms, Aster, which is an Auberge spa with curated remedied by skilled estheticians, and picturesque wedding venues.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
The River Barns transformed the edge of Kiawah River into premier wedding venues that can accommodate anywhere from 15 to 500 guests. The Lime House, the 2,575-square foot space on the left, and the Shippon, the 5,583-square-foot space on the right, are two of five event facilities.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
According to the developer, the Dunlin has been a great success, hosting over 30 weddings a year. They see wedding planners from all over the world coordinate big weddings that rent out the whole facility for the weekend. This amenity plays a big role in transforming Kiawah River into a destination.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Kiawah River keeps residents busy and entertained with a calendar full of events. Gatherings at The Goatery, like Goat Yoga and Goats & Gourds pumpkin carving, have been extremely popular. Seasonal events have also had great success in drawing in big crowds. Last year, Kiawah River’s Thanksgiving event drew in around 2,000 people including residents from the surrounding Sea Islands. When it comes to lifestyle and connecting with residents, The Beach Company describes their community app by Alosant as a “game changer.” The app notifies residents about happenings and helps the developer prepare for events by tracking registrations. They’ve even noticed attendance go up since introducing the app.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Early focus groups revealed that golf didn't rank high in buyers' top priorities. The top five were nature, walking paths, wildlife activities, food experience, and art. The Beach Company leaned into these priorities when planning Kiawah River. However, for those who do value golf, there are five public golf courses within 15 minutes of Kiawah River.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Kiawah River’s connection to nature extends to their community docks that provide launching and fishing spots. Coastal expeditions take residents on eco tours and booze cruises. Programming activates and takes full advantage of Kiawah’s waterfront connection.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
In addition to preserving 50% of the community for undeveloped, natural land, The Beach Co made nature easy to access with 20 miles of walking paths and 10 miles of waterfront land. The chief environmental officer, Jeff Snyder, is a marine biologist who has managed the land, waterways, and wildlife on the property for over 25 years. His role is to conserve Kiawah River’s natural beauty and habitat for generations to come.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Majestic live oaks blanket the landscape, speaking to the preservation of the land.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Kiawah River has completed around 400 homes as of September 2025. Currently, available homes include cottages and townhomes that start in the low $1 million and single-family homes that range from $1.5 million to around $8 million.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
One house in particular became a marketing spectacle for Kiawah River. The 2024 Southern Living Idea House won the National Association of Home Builders' award for best one-of-a-kind custom home and drew over 17,000 visitors.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
$5.4 million later, one buyer was fortunate enough o call this 4,400-square-foot residence their new home.
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Kiawah River Master Plan

2024 Southern Living Idea House interior

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Kiawah River Master Plan
This is one of many properties that back up against the waterfront, offering the ultimate connection to nature.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
This project presented a wonderful opportunity to highlight local designers and artists. designer Allison Elebash of Allison Elebash Interior Design, architect Kirsten Schoettelkotte of MHK Architecture, builder Tom Dillard of Dillard-Jones, and landscape architect Scott Parker of DesignWorks all contributed to this project.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
According to the developer, around 70% of homes are occupied year-round, while the rest are second homes. The Beach Company refers to all the architecture at Kiawah River as “Sea Island” architecture. Notable themes throughout the community include a bright, low-country style with front porches and lots of siding.
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Kiawah River Master Plan
Kiawah River’s website explains the vibe perfectly: “Summer in South Carolina’s Lowcountry moves at its own pace—and that’s exactly the point. With warm breezes, sun-drenched marshes, and long, lingering evenings, the season invites you to slow down, unplug, and fully embrace the laid-back rhythm that defines this special corner of the South.”
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Kiawah River Master Plan

Product type
Masterplan

Consultants

Builders

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Architects

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Interior designers

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Landscape Architects

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Developers

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JBREC Consultant

Don Walker
Managing Principal
San Diego, CA
dwalker@jbrec.com

Location

3883 Betsy Kerrison Parkway
Phone number (843) 973-8600
Region Southeast
State South Carolina
City Johns Island
Zip Code 29455