Meet East Lake: Leland's Newest Community, Opening July 2026

A new standard for new-home value in the Wilmington area

There is a particular kind of excitement that comes with the very beginning of something — when the streets are freshly paved, the model home is staged just so, and a neighborhood is waiting to become a community. That moment has arrived in Leland. This July, New Leaf Builders is opening East Lake, our newest community and our second in North Carolina, and we could not be more proud to plant roots here.

East Lake isn't just another new-home community. It is a carefully curated neighborhood built around active, connected living — where every home comes finished the way it should be, not the way you have to negotiate it to be. That single idea sits at the heart of everything we built here, and it shapes the experience from the moment you turn onto Sandbrook Loop.

Charleston charm, Leland address

East Lake brings New Leaf Builders' signature Charleston-style architecture north to the banks of the Cape Fear region. You'll find eight distinct floor plans across 25 homesites, in both one- and two-story designs ranging from roughly 1,458 to 2,735 square feet. Each home is crafted with the distinctive architectural details and spacious, open-concept interiors that reflect timeless Lowcountry elegance — front porches that invite you to slow down, thoughtful proportions, and finishes selected with care.

Pricing starts in the high $300s, which makes East Lake one of the most compelling values in the greater Wilmington market right now. With a limited number of homes available, this is very much a get-in-early opportunity.

Designed for the way you actually live

From flexible home offices to inviting spaces made for entertaining, these homes are built to adapt to a wide range of lifestyles. That makes East Lake an ideal choice for first-time buyers, growing families, and anyone looking to downsize without sacrificing quality. And because so much is already included — premium siding, a full irrigation system, a fenced yard, a side-entry garage — you start ahead instead of starting a negotiation.

A location that does the heavy lifting

East Lake sits in the growing town of Leland, less than 20 minutes from the heart of historic downtown Wilmington and a short drive from the award-winning Brunswick beaches. Daily errands, dinner out, a riverfront stroll, a morning at the ocean — they're all within easy reach.

Backed by a builder with deep roots

East Lake is our second community in North Carolina, and that matters. New Leaf Builders has spent years crafting homes across the Carolinas, earning recognition for quality and a reputation for building homes that live differently. Expanding to Leland wasn't a casual decision — it reflects a long-term commitment to this region and the relationships we've built here, from our trade partners to the families who'll call East Lake home. When you buy here, you're buying into that track record.

Consider this your invitation to follow along —but make sure to save the date and RSVP for our grand opening First Key Event Weekend Celebration July 17th-19th. RSVP here!