If you’ve driven around Brunswick County lately, you already know — growth here isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Now, a major new development is set to bring thousands of new homes to the area, specifically designed for one of the county’s fastest-growing groups: retirees.
A California-based developer, Integral Communities, has received approval to build a large 55+ community called Canopy, just north of Calabash near the North and South Carolina line.
And this isn’t a small neighborhood.
A Community Built for the Way People Want to Live Now
At full build-out, Canopy will include about 3,700 homes spread across more than 1,000 acres.
The plan calls for a mix of housing options, including:
Single-family homes
Townhomes
Duplexes
Apartments
In other words, it’s designed to offer flexibility depending on lifestyle, budget, and stage of life — something developers say is increasingly important for today’s buyers.
More Than Just Homes
What really sets Canopy apart is that it’s being designed as a true lifestyle community, not just a place to live.
Plans include:
Pickleball courts and swimming pools
Walking trails and fitness centers
Clubhouses and gathering spaces
On-site restaurants and commercial space
Developers say the commercial portion won’t feel like a typical strip center, but instead will be tailored to fit the community itself.
Why a 55+ Community?
The numbers tell the story.
Brunswick County continues to rank as one of the fastest-growing areas in North Carolina, and a significant portion of that growth is coming from older adults. The median age here is already in the mid-50s, and that trend is expected to continue for decades.
Communities like Canopy are designed to meet that demand — offering low-maintenance living, built-in amenities, and a strong sense of community.
There are also some practical benefits. Age-restricted neighborhoods typically put less strain on schools and often generate less traffic compared to traditional developments.
What About Traffic and Infrastructure?
Even so, a project of this size will have an impact.
Estimates show the development could generate around 21,000+ vehicle trips per day once fully built. To help manage that, developers are planning improvements to nearby roads, including:
New roundabouts
Updated traffic signals
Additional turning lanes
The community is also being designed with walkability and golf cart access in mind, which is becoming increasingly popular in coastal Carolina neighborhoods.
Thoughtful Design — With Room to Grow
One thing county leaders highlighted is the amount of open space.
Out of the total acreage:
Hundreds of acres will remain open space
Wetlands and flood-prone areas will be preserved
Additional buffers will separate the community from nearby agricultural land
The development will also roll out in phases:
Phase 1: About 650 homes by 2028
Phase 2: The majority of construction completed by 2032
Final build-out: Around 2034
The Bigger Picture
Canopy won’t be the only new 55+ community in the area. It will sit near other developments already in progress, adding to a growing cluster of neighborhoods catering to active adults.
County leaders say that kind of planning helps meet demand while keeping growth organized.
The project was approved unanimously by the planning board, and developers now have a three-year window to begin construction.
What It Means for Buyers and Sellers
For buyers, especially those nearing retirement, projects like Canopy mean more options than ever before — with modern designs, amenities, and a focus on lifestyle.
For current homeowners, it’s another sign that Brunswick County remains a hot destination, which could continue to influence home values and demand in the years ahead.