A major mixed-use development proposed near Highway 501 could add hundreds of homes and commercial space to the Myrtle Beach area, highlighting the continued pressure to accommodate growth across Horry County.
The proposal, known as the Collins Tract, covers approximately 472.8 acres along Middle Ridge Road, near Highway 501 and the Legends Golf Complex. Plans call for 394 single-family homes, 392 multifamily units, and commercial space, creating a development with 786 proposed residential units.
The project is not yet approved. The property is currently zoned Commercial Forest Agriculture, and the applicant is seeking to rezone it to a Planned Development District, which would allow a coordinated mix of residential and commercial uses.
According to the published project details, the proposal is associated with Realstar Acquisitions LLC and includes a draft development agreement with Horry County.
Housing, Commercial Space and Open Land
The preliminary plan divides the property into several uses rather than covering the entire tract with housing. Approximately 33.3 acres are designated for commercial use, while about 278.9 acres are identified as open space.
The proposal also includes landscaped buffers, an undisturbed wetland buffer, a potential five-acre land dedication to Horry County, and an easement for a future walking trail. A six-foot earthen berm along Middle Ridge Avenue is also included in the proposed development agreement.
These features are part of the applicant’s plan and remain subject to the county’s review. The final design, permitted uses, and development conditions could change as the application moves through the approval process.
The property’s future land-use designation under Horry County’s Imagine 2040 Comprehensive Plan is Mixed Use. That designation provides planning context for the proposal, but it does not guarantee that the rezoning will be approved.
Development Would Take Place Over Several Years
The proposed construction schedule points to a phased rollout rather than an immediate buildout.
The single-family portion is planned in three phases, with initial development work estimated to begin in 2028. Later phases would follow through the early 2030s, with the final homes projected to be occupied by the end of 2035.
The multifamily component is projected to begin development in 2029, with completion targeted for the end of 2033. These are estimates in the proposed schedule, not guaranteed construction dates. The timing of commercial development remains dependent on market conditions.
What It Could Mean for the Myrtle Beach Area
The Collins Tract proposal reflects the broader challenge facing fast-growing parts of the Grand Strand: adding housing and commercial services while managing the effects of development on surrounding communities.
If approved and built as proposed, the project would introduce a mix of housing types that could serve different household needs. However, the scale of the development also makes traffic, road access, utilities, drainage, wetland protection, and compatibility with nearby properties important issues for county officials to evaluate.
For real estate professionals, builders, and investors, the proposal is worth monitoring because large planned developments can influence future housing supply, competition among homebuilders, and demand for nearby services.
The next scheduled Planning Commission public hearing is November 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. The county’s published schedule also lists further consideration dates in November, December, and January 2027. Those dates represent steps in the review process, not confirmation of final approval.
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