For years, our map had a gap in the middle.

New Leaf Builders has been building homes in Wilmington and Charleston since 2010 — at Riverlights on the Cape Fear River, at East Lake in Leland, at Nexton in Summerville and Johns Island in Charleston. And for years, the drive between our two divisions ran straight through one of the fastest-growing stretches of coastline in the country: the Grand Strand.

Now we’re building there too. New Leaf Builders is officially joining SayeBrook, the 730-acre master-planned community in Myrtle Beach, SC, as one of two new builder partners for Phase 3. Our first two model homes are expected to open in spring 2027.

Why SayeBrook, and why now?

We’re picky about where we build. A community has to be more than a collection of lots — it has to give people a reason to know their neighbors.

SayeBrook does that. Developed by The Jackson Companies, it pairs Lowcountry-inspired architecture with resort-style amenities and a growing Town Center for shopping, dining, wellness and everyday errands. It’s minutes from the beach, Myrtle Beach International Airport and local schools. And in 2026, the Home Builders Association of South Carolina named SayeBrook Community of the Year at its Pinnacle Awards.

Our division president, Alan Degen, put it simply in the announcement:

“SayeBrook bridges the gap between our Wilmington and Charleston divisions, and it’s an exciting new market for New Leaf. We’re bringing the most popular floor plans from both markets to SayeBrook, and with the community’s focus on placemaking, it’s a natural fit. We’re in the business of building community, not just houses.”

Alan Degen, Division President, New Leaf Builders

What New Leaf is bringing to Myrtle Beach?

We’re not starting from scratch. We’re bringing the floor plans our Wilmington and Charleston homeowners ask for most — the ones that have proven themselves in real kitchens, on real back porches, with real families living in them.

That means:

Livable, distinctive floor plans drawn from two markets’ best sellers, including  The interior courtyard home, The Aneto and The alley load garage and spacious Jackson.

Personalized design services so your home reflects how you live, not a builder’s default package.

Quality craftsmanship from the same team building at Nexton, Riverlights and East Lake.

A build experience guided by kindness, honesty and integrity — our core values, and the reason so many of our buyers send their friends to us.

The new model row at SayeBrook

SayeBrook’s Phase 3 includes a brand-new model row, expected to open in the second quarter of 2027. That’s where you’ll be able to walk through our two New Leaf models in person. 

If you’re thinking about new construction in Myrtle Beach — or you’ve been watching the Grand Strand from Wilmington or Charleston and wondering when the timing would be right — now’s the time to get on our list.

We can’t wait to start building community in Myrtle Beach.