Junk Removal in Kiawah Island, SC

A real estate investment firm that owns the developer of Kiawah Island plans to build a private golf course on Johns Island and invest in new and existing resort and residential projects locally and across the Southeast after raising $225 million in a new fund.

South Street Partners plans to turn the nearly 900-acre Orange Hill tract into an 18-hole golf course community with homes. It will include a short course and a practice facility for members of Kiawah Island Club. The property between Bohicket and River roads is now used as an outdoor sporting site by the private club.

The land use allows for a golf course and associated amenities as well as residential development, said Chris Randolph, a South Street partner. He said plans are still evolving for the site, and it hasn’t been determined how many homes will be part of the Orange Hill development.

The golf course will take up about 300 acres.

Part of the property is in a planned unit development through Charleston County that allows 181 home sites, a golf course, clubhouse, pro shop, amenity center and about 212 acres of preserved land.

“We are working with the county and other constituents on Johns Island for a plan that everyone is happy with,” said Randolph, whose firm is headquartered in Charleston and Charlotte.

A representative of the Johns Island Community Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the proposed plan.

Randolph hopes to start development of the as-yet unnamed layout next year, followed by 12 to 18 months of construction. He also said it was too early to provide a cost estimate for the course, which will be one of the few to be built in South Carolina in recent years.

Randolph said the course would provide members with an additional golfing option and take some of the pressure off of the club’s two existing layouts, Cassique and the River Course, where usage has increased sharply during the pandemic. The average member played 40 more rounds in 2021 than in 2019, according to South Street.

“We think there is a new market of people who have recently moved to Charleston who would have an interest in joining a golf club like this given its proximity to the city and especially since it offers members access to the rest of the Kiawah Island Club amenities,” Randolph said.

The new course will be designed by Beau Welling of Greenville, who previously worked with River Course designer Tom Fazio. Welling also is a partner with Tiger Woods in the golfing great’s golf course design business.

The vision for the new course is to create a playing experience that looks like it could have been crafted more than 100 years ago, according to South Street. It will be built around grand live oaks and feature “undulating fairways ... and Old World slopes and contours.”

The company’s future plans for Kiawah include additional residential development as well as the opening of the oceanfront Cape Club adjacent to The Cape on Kiawah, a condominium development on the sea island’s western end. The Cape Club is expected to break ground in August.

South Street also recently acquired the 131-year-old Two Meeting Street Inn on the Charleston peninsula for nearly $7.7 million. It will be refurbished and become an overnight accommodation for Kiawah Island Club members when it reopens in 2023.

Randolph said raising the money for the golf course and other developments was challenging during the pandemic but the effort attracted “outsized investor demand” because of “compelling opportunities.”

South Street Partners’ other investments from the fund include the acquisition and development of the 20,000-acre Palmetto Bluff community in Bluffton near Hilton Head Island.

The company also has its sights set on other resort properties across the Southeast from south of Washington, D.C., to Florida and west to Texas.

“We are continuing to look for opportunities,” Randolph said.

Those could include existing properties or new developments.

South Street also owns The Cliffs communities across the mountains of South Carolina and North Carolina as well as The Residences at Salamander in Virginia.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Jan. 13, 2022) –The Medical University of South Carolina Foundation has received a commitment of $1 million from the Town of Kiawah Island in support of MUSC Health’s Sea Islands Medical Pavilion.

“We are grateful to the Town of Kiawah for its major investment in our mission and their ongoing partnership to help us enable the right care, in the right place and at the right time,” said David J. Cole, M.D., FACS, MUSC president. “This donation will make a significant difference as we seek to improve the well-being of the Sea Islands community, expand access to appropriate care, and bolster connectivity to the state’s only comprehensive academic health system when patients require the most complex care.”

The donation has been designated for a healing, restful green space and garden immediately adjacent to the new facility. Construction on the Sea Islands project is expected to begin in early 2022 and conclude in fall 2023.

“The Town is proud to invest in MUSC's Sea Islands Medical Pavilion and excited about the emergent care services it will provide to Kiawah, Seabrook, Johns and Wadmalaw Islands, and the broader community,” said Town of Kiawah Mayor John D. Labriola. “Our geography has always been a challenge and concern. This new facility will make a crucial difference in life-threatening emergencies and provide the Sea Island communities with greater ease of mind. We are grateful to MUSC for their pursuit of this project, to Kiawah Partners for donating the land, and to the other community partners who have made this possible.”

During the next five years, double digit population growth is anticipated in the Sea Islands community. This growth, along with the islands' geographic isolation, demographics, and community health profiles, has created an urgent need for additional health care services in this part of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

The area also accommodates a large seasonal population of tourists, many of whom have trouble navigating local health care services.

To meet this growing need, MUSC Health is building a new medical facility on Johns Island in the immediate vicinity of Kiawah and Seabrook islands. The facility will provide residents and visitors alike with convenient and rapid access to MUSC Health’s emergency care services, select outpatient services, and some of the nation’s top providers in primary and specialty care.

“People living in this area have to travel 30 or 45 minutes to reach the nearest hospital, sometimes more depending on traffic. That’s a big problem for someone having a stroke or cardiac event,” said Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., MUSC Health CEO and vice president for Health Affairs, University. “This new facility brings that care directly into the community. We’re extremely grateful to the Town of Kiawah and Kiawah Partners for helping to make that possible.”

The project was made possible in part by Kiawah Partners, which donated six acres of land to the Medical University Hospital Authority (MUSC Health), valued at $4.85 million. The project is estimated to cost $24 million. Of that amount, MUSC is working to raise $15 million in private support.

The 22,740-square-foot facility will be located at 1884 Seabrook Island Road, near Bohicket Marina. The ED will include four exam rooms, two trauma rooms, imaging and lab services and a helicopter pad. The medical office will offer primary and specialty care. A telemedicine network will connect the entire facility to MUSC Health providers in downtown Charleston for additional care and consultation, if needed.

In mid-June 2021, McMillan Pazdan Smith (MPS) was chosen to design the project. MPS is also one of two architectural firms working on designs for a new MUSC Health hospital in rural Williamsburg County.

Renderings of the Sea Islands medical pavilion are available upon request.

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About the MUSC Foundation

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Foundation was chartered in 1966 as a charitable educational foundation to support the education, research, patient care and other programs at the Medical University. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, contributions to which are tax-deductible.

Since its beginning, the MUSC Foundation has encouraged such worthwhile academic enterprises as endowed professorships; scholarships; the acquisition and development of campus facilities to serve student, teaching, research or clinical needs; and awards in honor of academic excellence. In addition, it has encouraged achievements in biomedical research.

The Foundation is governed by a 31-member board of directors. The president of the Medical University is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the board. Three members of the MUSC Board of Trustees also serve on the board. The remaining 27 at-large directors are not directly affiliated with the university. Five are alumni of MUSC. The foundation’s funds are invested and managed by professional money managers selected by the foundation’s Investment Committee. This committee uses a professional investment advisor to assist in evaluating its managers.

About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is home to the oldest medical school in the South as well as the state’s only integrated academic health sciences center, with a unique charge to serve the state through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and nearly 800 residents in six colleges: Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. MUSC brought in more than $327.6 million in biomedical research funds in fiscal year 2021, continuing to lead the state in obtaining federal and National Institutes of Health funding, with more than $220 million. For information on academic programs, visit musc.edu.

As the clinical health system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safe patient care while training generations of compassionate, competent health care providers to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. Patient care is provided at 14 hospitals with approximately 2,500 beds and five additional hospital locations in development, more than 300 telehealth sites and nearly 750 care locations situated in the Lowcountry, Midlands, Pee Dee and Upstate regions of South Carolina. In 2021, for the seventh consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

MUSC and its affiliates have collective annual budgets of $4.4 billion. The nearly 24,000 MUSC team members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, technology and patient care.

A South Carolina beach was named one of the nation’s best places to soak up the sun, a new report finds.

The beach at Kiawah Beachwalker Park ranks No. 9 on a list of places offering top-notch surf, sand and other qualities that make for a relaxing getaway, according to results published Wednesday, May 25.

Stephen P. Leatherman — a Florida International University professor with the nickname “Dr. Beach” — created the rankings after conducting his annual study of 650 public beaches. This time, he used 50 criteria to evaluate the water, sand, safety and cleanliness at locations across the United States, findings show.

Beachwalker Park was the only place in the Palmetto State to earn a top 10 spot on the national list. The park lies along the ocean on Kiawah Island, roughly 25 miles south of the tourist hotspot of Charleston, according to the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission website.

In Dr. Beach’s report, the park received nods for being in a setting that boasts access to waterfront activities.

“This is a nature-lovers coast so visitors can bring their canoes and kayaks to paddle through the tidal inlets,” the report said. “It is also fun to walk or bicycle down the fine-grained sand beach to Captain Sam’s Inlet to see thousands of birds. The water is not clear, but it is clean and provides fantastic seafood for low-country cooking.”

Beachwalker Park is no stranger to earning national recognition. It also landed at No. 9 on last year’s list, when it received the same nature-related acclaim.

The latest rankings were released just ahead of Memorial Day weekend, which is expected to kick off a busy U.S. travel season.

So far this year, Charleston was named one of the nation’s trendiest places to visit based on vacation website data. The region also has been honored for having top-ranking places to eat and drink beer.

Overall, the highest scoring location on Dr. Beach’s list was Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Rounding out the top five were Caladesi Island State Park in Florida, Cooper’s Beach in New York, St. George Island State Park in Florida and Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Hawaii, The News & Observer reported.

A barrier island on South Carolina’s Atlantic coast, Kiawah is a private beach and golf resort some 40 km southwest of Charleston, the largest city in the state. With a population of just under 1,800, according to 2019 estimates, Kiawah Island is well known for its eponymous Golf Resort. Its other attractions include various beaches, villas, and other boating activities.

Geography And Climate Of Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island has a total land area of 35 square kilometers, of which 6.4 square kilometers or nearly 19% is water. A barrier island on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, summers are noted for being oppressively hot on the Island, while winters are short and windy.Between May and September, average daily highs are 28 C, with July as the hottest month of the summertime; highs in that month average 31 C, with lows of 24 C. The winter is considered to last from December to March, with highs of 19 C. January is the coldest month on average for Kiawah Island, with highs around 17 C and lows of 7 C.According to local meteorological guides, the best time recommended to visit Kiawah Island for moderate temperatures is from April to May or September to October.The wet season on Kiawah Island lasts from June to September. July is considered the wettest. Of the 31 days in the month, an average of 15 days has at least 1 millimeter of precipitation. November is the driest month, with only six days out of 30 presenting a minimum of 1 millimeter of precipitation, while the dry season typically lasts between late September and June.

Brief History Of Kiawah Island

Named after the Kiawah indigenous people, English settler, and former pirate George Raynor, first obtained Kiawah Island through a land grant in 1699. In 1701, he sold half of the area to another sea captain, while the other half was passed on to his descendants after his 1743 death.Used primarily for cattle farming in its early history, during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), the settlement was also used as a recovery and refuge place for soldiers and family members. It was the Civil War (1861-1865), however, that had a greater impact on Kiawah Island.South Carolina was the first state to join the Confederacy, and during the War, Kiawah Island was sieged by Northern troops and taken over. By this time, the Island was maintained by the wealthy Vanderhorst family, and after the War, they hired formerly enslaved people for labor, producing cotton on the land. The Family maintained their administration of the area until well into the mid-20th century when it was purchased by logging entrepreneur C.C. Royal in 1950.

The Island was further sold to the Kuwait Investment Corporation in 1974, and a boom in real estate sales began. In 1976, the first golf course, Cougar Point, was opened. The Kiawah Island Golf Resort soon followed. The 1980s saw continued growth and expansion for the Island, and a town also called Kiawah was formally established in 1988.The Kiawah Island Club opened in 1993, while more golf courses, including Ocean Course and Oak Point, were founded in 1991 and 1997, respectively. Today, Kiawah Island is filled with an abundance of golf courses, lodges, hotels, and public beaches, making it a calm and appealing place for many tourists.

Attractions On Kiawah Island

Lauded as one of the best golf destinations on the United States’ East Coast, Kiawah Island features seven award-winning golf courses. Several of these were even designed by pro golf legends like Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. The courses of Turtle Point, Ocean Course, Cougar Point, Oak Point, and Osprey Point are owned and operated by the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. The Ocean Course has hosted events like the 1997 World Cup of Golf and the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championship.For those not inclined to golf, Kiawah Island also offers a variety of other outdoor activities for tourists and their families to enjoy.

Beachwalker County Park is located on the west end of the Island and has been ranked by several publications as one of the best public beaches in the United States.Kiawah Island has 48 km of paved hiking trails and 16 km of beach, giving residents and visitors alike beautiful settings for biking, walking, and jogging. Any tourist to Kiawah Island will surely find kayaking, canoeing, and other boating opportunities on the water.

For the historically inclined visitor, Kiawah Island is home to two sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the Arnoldus Vander Horst House, a former plantation house built in 1802, is now a museum that highlights the history of the area, and of the Island’s record during the Civil War. The Bass Pond Site is an archaeological excavation locale that spotlights the geological history of the land and the development of the early human activity.

Kiawah Island is mainly known today for its renowned golf courses and beachfront access on the coast of the Atlantic, but it also has, like so many small towns and habitations in America, a unique history. From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War to the modern real estate boom, Kiawah Island is a lesser-known spot on the American map but a charming and pleasing destination for anyone who chooses to visit.

As far as T+L readers are concerned, the combination of charming small towns and white sand beaches makes South Carolina a great choice for a family vacation. And whether the destination is Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, or Kiawah Island, travelers are sure to find plenty of activities — from golf to tennis to paddleboarding to fishing and more.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels (including safari lodges) were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city hotel, resort, or safari lodge based on their locations and amenities.

Of the 10 South Carolina resorts on this year's list, nine are repeat honorees from last year. T+L readers seem to enjoy returning to their favorite places again and again — one voter's family has journeyed to the No. 7 Westin Hilton Head for 12 years. Another visitor called No. 6 Wild Dunes Resort — which has private condos, house rentals, and hotel rooms and suites — "a perfect beach getaway with outstanding service and amenities."

Many of the state's top-ranked resorts are located along the Atlantic coast. In fact, the one non-coastal resort that made the list is the No. 4 Willcox, located on the state's western edge, in Aiken. "All-around great hotel in a beautiful setting on the edge of the Hitchcock Woods," noted one reader.

Once again, the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort claimed the top spot. Find out why — and which other resorts made it onto the list of best South Carolina resorts.

1. The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island

As the No. 1 resort for the second year in a row, the Sanctuary hits all the right notes, according to T+L readers. Many praised the impressive grounds, outstanding hospitality, robust fitness facilities (including golf and tennis), and flavorful Lowcountry cuisine at Jasmine Porch. And while the beaches are a big draw in summer, some guests noted that the winter season is just as special. "The Sanctuary goes all out at Christmas," said one visitor. "There's a huge tree in the lobby and one outside on the green leading to the ocean. There is also a chef's creation out of chocolate; this year they made a chocolate train."

Score: 92.46

2. The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Mount Pleasant

Score: 91.24

3. Montage Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton

Score: 90.31

4. The Willcox, Aiken

Score: 89.64

5. The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, Hilton Head Island

Score: 86.48

6. Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms

Score: 86.00

7. The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, Hilton Head Island

Score: 84.80

8. Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort, Hilton Head Island

Score: 81.86

9. Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach

Score: 81.31

More information: marriott.com

10. Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, Hilton Head Island

Score: 79.86