Ground Broken on New Hive Development in North Augusta

The Hive, long-anticipated project in North Augusta broke ground Thursday, promising new retail, hospitality, and housing off Martintown Road.

The development, has been in development for ten years by Augusta-based commercial real estate development company McKnight Engler. When completed, the 175 acre mixed-use project will feature retail, restaurant, and hotels as well as more than 600 single-family and multi-family housing units. It is located on West Martintown Road in North Augusta, between Interstate 20 and Knobcone Avenue.

John Engler, Managing Member at McKnight Engler said his company first began planning the development ten years ago, and praised the company’s partners and the City of North Augusta for continued support.

“North Augusta has been great,” he said at the ceremony. “They have stuck by us the entire time.”

Multifamily housing will be among the first projects completed. Panther Residential Management, a Boston-based company specializing in multifamily development, estimates that the first of the 342 planned units will be ready in the spring of 2026 and will consist of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Amenities will include a clubhouse, pool, lake, walking paths, a pet spa, and other dog-friendly areas.

“It’s been a long road,” said Eric Wardrop, Director/Principal at Panther. “But we are here, and we are very happy to be a part of this community.”

Single family housing will begin construction in spring 2026 with a goal of seeing the first families in late 2026. Plans are in place for homes ranging in size from 1400 to more than 3000 square feet at price points ranging from the low 200s through the 300s.

Lauren McCarthy, Division President at Stanley Martin Homes said the single family homes will consist of both traditional detached homes as well as townhomes.

“We are excited to be able to provide an exciting atmosphere for people to be able to live in a community where you also have a walkability factor and access to shopping and dining,” she said. “We see this as the first of its kind.”

In addition to construction on the Hive site, development plans are also in place to mitigate increased traffic in the area. Engler said that two new traffic lights – one at Martintown Road and Knobcone Avenue and one at Interstate 20 and Martintown Road – will be installed as part of the construction process.

“We are really excited about this project,” said Briton Williams, mayor of North Augusta. “It’s not going to be just a traditional neighborhood. The other piece we are very excited about is the commercial side. I think, based on this property, you will be able to bring in the kinds of businesses that will bring value to our citizens.”