Porters Neck Village: Resilient Redevelopment Transforms Challenges into Opportunities
Porters Neck Village at a Glance
Discover how Porters Neck Village and LCS Development transformed challenges into opportunities, enhancing Wilmington's first Life Plan Community with new residences and amenities while preserving its unique charm.
Project Scope
Redevelopment, Expansion
Type
Life Plan Community
Unit Mix Before Expansion
Independent Living: 248
Units Added in Phase I
Independent Living: 44
Challenges
- Hurricanes caused millions of dollars in damage to the existing community.
- Expansion needed to align with the North Carolina architecture existing throughout Porters Neck Village.
- Repairs of aged structures were not cost efficient.
- Dated amenities did not entice prospective residents.
Porters Neck Village Community Gallery
Amenities
Together with Porters Neck Village, LCS Development constructed a plan to expand and enhance the amenities already present in the community. This includes adding 44 new independent living residences with covered parking, a new artisan studio and wood shop, dog park, cocktail bar and billiards room, more indoor and outdoor dining options, and an expanded garden area for residents. Porters Neck Village also offers on-site amenities like salon services, an indoor saltwater pool and fitness center with wellness programming along with transportation to off-site amenities like shopping, dining and neighboring golf courses.
Celebrating Positive Outcomes
100% Sold
In 2022, all 44 new independent living residences reached full occupancy.
Three 12-unit buildings and one 8-unit building sold out faster than anticipated. A growing waitlist signals strong market demand and confidence in the community’s future.
Preserved
Mature live oaks, walking trails, and natural spaces were preserved while new homes and amenities were added. This balance honored the community’s legacy while supporting its growth through redevelopment.
Expanded
These include three dining venues, an art studio, woodshop, garden area, and dog park. The additions reflect a commitment to wellness, creativity, and connection.
Business Profile
Porters Neck Village is the first Life Plan Community in Wilmington, North Carolina. The nonprofit senior living community was built on an idyllic 58 acres close to area beaches, golf courses and downtown Wilmington. Porters Neck Village partnered with LCS Development to create a master plan for a phased expansion project to add additional residences and amenities for residents while also preserving the “village feel” that makes the community so unique.
Business Situation
North Carolina offers a serene living environment with its beautiful beaches and tree-lined walking paths. Porters Neck Village is a pioneer in the coastal Carolina region with nearly four decades serving seniors. While the community and its leaders embarked on creating a comprehensive master plan with LCS Development, Hurricane Florence and COVID-19 challenged the community. Together, LCS Development and community stakeholders quickly adapted to challenging needs of the community. The plan needed to address new concerns caused by these unforeseen events while still strengthening the position of the community in the market. The collaborative master planning process revealed that redevelopment would be a more cost-efficient and sustainable solution, ensuring the community continues to thrive.
A key paramount consideration was to preserve the quaint “Village Feel” of the community. The project team was able to preserve mature live oak trees, walking trails and natural outdoor spaces while also developing 44 new homes and multiple new dining areas in the community. The new hybrid homes were received positively by the market and quickly reached 100% faster than anticipated.
This phase of the master plan also included new amenities to enhance the experience of living at Porters Neck Village, in line with the community’s mission of enriching residents' lives. Updates to the community auditorium, new common areas, a dog park, and garden plots further expanded the community’s amenities.
Partnering with Leaders who Listen
LCS Development knows that each community is unique and, in partnership with Porters Neck Village, developed a multi-phased plan to preserve and strengthen the essence of the community. “We have a longstanding relationship with Porters Neck Village and share their commitment to enriching and improving the lives of older adults,” said Nick Herrick, Vice President, Director of LCS Development. “We have worked side-by-side with Porters Neck Village to ensure they have a master plan that thoughtfully guides their development projects to position them well for the future and happy to report 100% occupancy of the phase one 44 new homes added.”
Phase II planning is underway with anticipated construction start in Q1 2026.
The importance of active listening within strong partnerships, especially when developing successful and complex projects, is the foundation of success. LCS Development understands that Experience Is Everything, and that experience is enhanced by leaders who listen.