A major new residential development is in the works along the Cape Fear River, just outside the RiverLights community, and it’s one buyers and renters alike should have on their radar.
The Collier Companies, a Florida-based developer headquartered in Gainesville, has officially purchased a 10-acre site at the corner of River Road and Sandlewood Way. Plans call for a 292-unit apartment community offering a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans.
Property records show the land changed hands for just under $6.2 million. While construction isn’t expected to break ground until early 2027, the planning process is already moving forward with a team that includes local and regional firms handling engineering, architecture, and landscape design.
Amenities are expected to lean heavily into the “community lifestyle” trend buyers are seeing more of lately. Current plans include a resort-style pool, pickleball and bocce courts, and a clubhouse with shared gathering areas and a fitness center—features that have become especially attractive for people relocating to the Wilmington area.
This project also marks a milestone for The Collier Companies, as it will be their first development in North Carolina. The company already has a strong footprint throughout Florida and is in the midst of a long-term expansion strategy that includes thousands of apartment units either completed, under construction, or in the planning stages.
For the RiverLights area and nearby communities, this development signals continued growth along the riverfront corridor—another indicator that demand for housing in this part of the Cape Fear region isn’t slowing down anytime soon.