What's Coming to Charleston, SC? 7 Developments & Projects I'm Watching
Charleston, SC is changing. Here are 7 Developments happening right now.
You can see it in the neighborhoods getting new restaurants, the roads being redesigned, the airport expanding and the cranes popping up in places that looked very different just a few years ago.
Some of these projects are huge. Others are much quieter, a new pedestrian connection, a new public space, a neighborhood redevelopment.
But together, they tell a pretty interesting story about where Charleston is headed next.
As someone who spends a lot of time watching the Charleston real estate market, these are seven projects and developments I'm keeping an eye on right now.
Union Pier: A New Chapter for Charleston's Waterfront
If there is one project that could fundamentally change the feel of Downtown Charleston's waterfront, it's Union Pier.
The roughly 65-acre waterfront property has been used for port cruise operations for decades. That chapter officially began to close in 2026, when the final cruise ship docked at Union Pier. The property is now moving toward a new future under Beemok Capital, the family office of Ben and Kelly Navarro.
And this isn't being approached as a typical large-scale development.
The team has been studying Charleston's history, transportation, stormwater and resilience, public spaces and architectural character before determining exactly what the site becomes. The stated goal is a more incremental approach that incorporates elements like public space, businesses and residences while fitting into the existing city.
Why I'm Watching It:
Because this isn't just another new development.
It's an enormous piece of waterfront land in the middle of one of America's most recognizable historic cities.
Whatever ultimately happens at Union Pier will have an impact far beyond the property itself.
The Lowcountry Lowline Is Finally Taking Shape
The Lowcountry Lowline is one of the projects that could change how people experience the peninsula without adding another building to the skyline.
The first phase will create approximately 1.6 miles of pedestrian and bicycle corridor from Mount Pleasant Street to Line Street, with walking and biking paths, lighting, safety improvements and public amentities. Construction is expected to begin in October 2026, with completion currently estimated for December 2027.
The larger vision is a greenway running through the Charleston peninsula, creating another way to move around the city without relying entirely on a car.
For Charleston, that's a pretty meaningful idea. Especially as the city continues to grow and more people are looking for neighborhoods where they can walk, bike and actually feel connected to the places around them.
Why I'm Watching It:
Infrastructure like this can have a surprisingly big influence on how desirable an area feels. It's not just about transportation. It's about lifestyle.
Ashley River Crossing Will Connect West Ashley to Downtown
West Ashley has been on of the areas I've been watching most closely, and the Ashley River Crossing is a big part of that.
The projects is a bicycle and pedestrian bridge connecting the West Ashley Greenway with Brittlebank Park and Ashley River Walk.
Construction is already underway and is currently scheduled to be completed in 2027.
The project also includes additional pedestrian connections on both side of the river.
For someone who lives in West Ashley, the significance is pretty easy to understand: it creates a completely different way to access Downtown Charleston. And for the larger Charleston area, it continues the conversation around making West Ashley more connected rather than simply more developed.
Why I'm Watching It:
Because West Ashley already has the location. It's close to Downtown, has established neighborhoods and offers a wider range of housing than some of Charleston's more expensive areas. Projects that improve connectivity could add another layer to that appeal.
Ashley Landing Is Transforming a Major West Ashley Corridor
If you've driven along Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, you know the Ashley Landing area. And it's about to look very different.
The former shopping center is being redeveloped into a 31-acre mixed-use destination with approximately 240,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and commercial space, residential development and public gathering areas.
The residential component, Westbourne Ashley Landing, broke ground in 2026 and will bring 285 apartements to the project. The larger redevelopment is planned to include Publix as an anchor with new retail, restaurants and approximately one acre of central green space.
What's interesting here is the scale. This isn't just replacing one shopping center with another. It's an attempt to create a more complete destination in one of West Ashley's busiest areas.
The city and county are also working on transportation improvements around the Old Town District, including sidewalks, multi-use paths and signalized crossings to better connect nearby neighborhoods with businesses and retail.
Why I'm Watching It:
This is exactly the kind of project that can change how an established neighborhood functions. And it's one of the reasons I think West Ashley deserves more attention from Charleston buyers.
Charleston International Airport Is Building for the Next Charleston
If you've flown out of CHS recently, you've probably noticed that the airport is very much in construction mode.
The Charleston International Airport expansion includes a new west gates concourse that will add four gates and increase capacity by approximately 15%.
The airport is also building a massive new parking garage with 2.4 million square feet, more than 7,000 spaces and consolidated rental car facitlity. Substantial completion of the new concourse is anticipated in early 2027, while the parking garage is expected to be completed in 2027. And the bigger takeaway isn't really about the parking.
Charleston International Airport served approximately 3.16 million passengers in 2025, and the airport is investing in additional capacity because the region continues to grow.
Why I'm Watching It:
Airports are infrastructure, but they're also a reflection of a city's trajectory. Charleston is investing in the airport because the city is expecting more people to come here, travel from here and do business here.
I wrote a deeper look at the airport expansion and what it could mean for Charleston real estate HERE.
Jubilee Is Bringing a New Kind of Destination to Johns Island
Johns Island is another part of Charleston that is changing quickly. One of the projects I'm particularly interested in is Jubilee, a 13.3-acre mixed-use development planned along Maybank Highway.
The project will include a 75-room boutique hotel, 65 rental cottages and approximately 13,000 square feet of restaurant, retail and office space. But the concept is intentionally more than a hotel.
Plans include green space, gathering areas, restaurants, retail, walking paths and a village-style environment designed to bring more hospitality and lifestyle amenities to Johns Island.
For an island that has historically been much more residential, that's a pretty significant shift.
Why I'm Watching It:
Because Johns Island is moving toward having more of its own identity and amenities rather than simply functioning as a place people live before driving somewhere else.
I also wrote a full breakdown of Jubilee and what it could mean for Johns Island HERE.
MUSC Is Expanding Its Downtown Footprint
Not every major Charleston project is residential or retail.
One of the biggest long-term changes happening downtown is the continued evolution of the Medical University of South Carolina campus.
MUSC approved a new Downtown Charleston Campus Master Plan in 2026 that will guide the campus over the next 20 years.
The plan includes major initiatives already underway, including a new College of Medicine building, College of Health Professionals facilities, a new comprehensive cancer hospital and a medical office building and ambulatory surgery center at 334 Calhoun Street.
the new College of Medicine building reached a major construction milestone in August 2026, with the 186,000-square-foot facility now topped out.
MUSC's future comprehensive cancer hospital is currently expected to open in 2030, while the new 334 Calhoun outpatient facility is expected to open in 2028.
Why I'm Watching It:
MUSC isn't jsut a major employer. It's one of the institutions that shapes Downtown Charleston's economy, workforce and demand for housing. A long-term expansion of this scale matters to the city well beyond the hospital campus itself.
What All of These Projects Have in Common
At first glance, these seven projects don't have much in common.
A waterfront redevelopment.
A greenway.
A pedestrian bridge.
A shopping center redevelopment.
An airport expansion.
A hotel and retail destination.
A medical campus.
But zoom out a little and there's clear pattern.
Charleston is investing in how people experience the city.
We're seeing more emphasis on connectivity, public spaces, walkability, hospitality, mixed-use development and infrastructure that supports continued growth.
That doesn't mean every project will be perfect. But from a real estate perspective, I think it's equally important to pay attention to where investment is happening.
What This Means for Charleston Real Estate
I wouldn't look at any of these projects and assume, "This neighborhood is going to skyrocket."
Real estate is more complicated than that. But I would pay attention.
When a neighborhood gets better connected to Downtown, when a major retail center is redeveloped, when a new hotel and dining destination arrives, or when millions of dollars are invested into infrastructure, it can change the way people experience an area. And eventually, that can influence where buyers want to live.
That's why I like looking at Charleston through the lens of what's coming next, not just what's for sale today.
Because that house you're buying isn't going to exist in a vacuum. The neighborhood around it will keep changing.
The Charleston I'm Watching
If you've been thinking about Charleston real estate, this is probably the most interesting part of the market to me right now. Not trying to predict exactly what Charleston will look like in five or ten years.
Just watching the pieces come together. West Ashley becoming more connected. Johns Island developing more of its own lifestyle infrastructure. The peninsula investing in walkability and resilience. The waterfront entering a completely new chapter. MUSC continuing to expand. And CHS preparing for a Charleston that is attracting more people and more business.
Charleston isn't standing still. And if you're thinking about buying here, I think understanding what's being built around you can be just as important as understanding the house itself.
Charleston, SC Developments.
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