Dewitt Carolinas is starting to move earth for Carolina Crofts, a 489-home neighborhood in Greenville aimed at homeowners eager to get their hands dirty.
Billed as eastern North Carolina’s first “agrihood’’ community, the Raleigh-based developer plans to build one- and two-story residences on more than 200 acres centered around a community garden and other amenities promoting healthy eating and living. Walking trails, a community gazebo, firepits and a dog park will create an alternative for young families and retirees less interested in golf than gardening.
Carolina Crofts represents “an emerging real estate trend that integrates green spaces and homegrown food into residential living for those seeking a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle,’’ Dewitt Carolinas said in a statement. “Unlike traditional master-planned communities built around golf courses or clubhouses, agrihoods emphasize nature, fresh food, and wellness.’’
Located west of downtown Greenville near N.C. 43 and U.S. 264, the planned community evolves away from golf as the focus of many decades of American homeowners seeking a country club lifestyle. Even so, people who want to play 18 holes and drink a beer on the 19th can join Ironwood Golf and Country Club, located near Carolina Crofts.
A Dewitt Carolinas affiliate has owned Ironwood since 2018. The club serves as the home course for East Carolina University’s golf teams. Another of the developer’s affiliates is responsible for Carolina Crofts, with construction of the first phase in partnership with Ryan Homes.
DeWitt Carolinas also owns the Jolly Roger student housing complex at East Carolina University.
Agrihood is emerging as a development trend, reflecting access to fresh, healthy food as a top priority for 73% of Americans, according to an Urban Land Institute survey a decade ago. Half of respondents ranked walkability as a top or high priority when considering where to live.
In a 2018 report, the institute defined agrihoods as “single-family, multifamily or mixed-used communities built with a working farm or community garden as a focus.’’
The development is “inspired by a growing understanding that development centered on food-production spaces can produce multiple benefits for individuals and communities while enhancing real estate performance,’’ according to the report.
However, developing community gardens and even-larger farms inside of neighborhoods can pose challenges. Governance by homeowner associations can complicate decision making on issues such as which seeds to plant or whether to spend HOA dues on, say, stands for selling surplus produce.
Even so, as “more agrihoods continue to sprout up across the country, developers have overcome hurdles, learned some lessons, and refined their visions to create these vibrant and beneficial communities that offer a unique blend of sustainable farming and neighborly connection,’’ according to an article posted last August by Builder Online.
Todd Saieed and Ven Poole formed DeWitt Carolinas in 1997. The real estate development firm’s projects include The Exchange Raleigh mixed-use project.
