Watermark
Engaged by Milenio as Development Manager, Placewell redesigned and repermitted a stalled pre-downturn final stage of a large masterplanned community in Savannah, Georgia — adding 184 net new homesites and securing all outstanding approvals to deliver a fully entitled 283-lot community, before supporting Milenio through a successful disposal to a national developer / homebuilder - Forestar / DR Horton.
Redesign & Entitlements
Engaged by Milenio as Development Manager for Watermark (Tract K) — the last undeveloped parcel of the historic Berwick Plantation in Chatham County, Savannah — Placewell undertook a comprehensive redesign of the pre-downturn master plan to maximise the site's development potential. Working with Maxwell Reddick (civil engineer) and coordinating directly with Chatham County and the Metropolitan Planning Commission, Placewell secured approval of a new Master Plan in May 2022 proposing 283 lots across three product types — a net addition of 184 homesites over the previously approved plan. In parallel, Placewell managed the full Site Development Plan (SDP) approval process, resolving complex outstanding issues including additional stormwater modelling, a fire hazard access solution, traffic impact assessment, landfill certification, and EPD water line approval to bring the project to a fully permitted, shovel-ready state.
Savannah, GA
Under Construction
Milenio
Entitlements & Value-Add Disposal
Client / Landowner - Milenio
Developer / Homebuilder - Forestar / DR Horton
Civil Engineer - Pape Dawson (previously Maxwell Reddick)
Approving Authority - Chatham County / Metropolitan Planning Commission (Savannah)
Disposal Support & Due Diligence
With all outstanding development approvals secured and significant value added through the redesign, Milenio elected to dispose of the property rather than proceed to construction. Placewell played an instrumental role in supporting the client through the sale process, preparing due diligence materials and presentations, and providing technical support to the incoming purchaser and homebuilder, Forestar / DR Horton, throughout their review period. This included facilitating a detailed plan review meeting with Chatham County to walk the purchaser through all outstanding approval items, permit status, and the path to construction commencement.
Outcome
Through its redesign and entitlement work, Placewell delivered a materially more valuable asset to Milenio, transforming a stalled, pre-downturn land holding into a fully permitted, 283-lot residential development ready for a major national developer / homebuilder to acquire and build out. The project stands as a clear demonstration of Placewell's ability to unlock latent value in residential land through expert planning, design leadership, and persistent engagement with complex regulatory processes.
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