A Legacy Cut in Soil

Founded as A.O. Hardee Drainage, Inc.
In 1955, with just a few pieces of heavy equipment and the will to forge a life for his own family, Allen O’Bryan “A.O.” Hardee officially went into business for himself after working his boyhood for his uncles. After hurricane Hazel, he quickly made a name for himself working on the disaster response and relief efforts funded by the first Federal disaster relief program known as the “Hurricane Relief Fund.”

Constructing the Holden Beach, NC Canals
In 1960, A.O. began constructing the canals by digging the natural channels using draglines. His efforts resulted in the creation of 19 peninsulas of deep water lots with navigable access to the Intracoastal Waterway. This reshaping of the coastline became a massive economic engine for the coastal region.

A.O. Hardee Drainage Inc. becomes A.O. Hardee & Son Inc.
In 1981, after nearly three decades of historic growth — both as a company and to the Carolina Coast region — A.O. Hardee sold the family business to his son Benjy Allen Hardee, who incorporated to become A.O. Hardee & Son, Inc. and continue his father’s legacy.

Little River, SC Jetties
In one of its first major projects as A.O. Hardee & Son, Inc. the company created an extensive rubble mound jetty system for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Construction teams overcame environmental challenges by utilizing old railroad ties as a track mat for dump trucks to deliver the granite rock that was transported in by rail from Virginia. The boulders were placed with a clamshell bucket and dragline.

Hurricane Hugo Emergency Response
When Hurricane Hugo devastated communities along the Carolina coastline, A.O. Hardee & Son played an essential role in repairing roads, infrastructure, and drainage on Surfside Beach and North Myrtle Beach. Beginning at Hog Inlet close to the North Carolina border and continuing several miles south to the Windy Hill area, A.O. Hardee & Son crews worked round the clock, using six excavators and 15 off-highway trucks to move approximately 400k cubic yards of material to renourish the coastline.

Broadway at the Beach
Despite challenging soil conditions, A.O. Hardee & Son completed the site work for developer Burroughs & Chapin ahead of schedule. The project spanned 350 acres in the heart of Myrtle Beach, featuring roughly 700,000 square feet of high-end retail, restaurants, theaters, and a 23-acre lake. Recognized as South Carolina’s top tourist destination, Broadway at the Beach attracts more than 14 million visitors annually and was awarded the Governor’s Cup for Tourism. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by notable dignitaries, including Senator Strom Thurmond.

Myrtle Beach International Airport
After the closing of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, the runway and flight lines were turned over to Horry County and construction of new terminals and airport expansions began. This led to major airline carriers adding (MYR) to their flight routes bringing new geodiversity in the tourists that could now access the Grand Strand area.

Pelicans Stadium
Heading into the new millennium, A.O. Hardee & Son continued to deepen its impact on the Carolinas region and uphold its reputation with local developers. In 1999, the company was contracted to develop the roughly 20-acre site of Pelicans Stadium in Myrtle Beach, SC. The minor league baseball facility brought sports  tourism to the area creating new diversity in tourism market segments.

Conway Bypass on Highway 22
A leader in new development methods, A.O. Hardee & Son constructed the first design-build (PPP) project of South Carolina’s Partners in Progress Program in 1999, 17 months ahead of scheduled completion despite hurricanes and historic flooding in the region. The $386 million effort included 9 million cubic yards of earthwork, 31 bridges, and nearly five miles of elevated roadway across 318 acres of wetlands. The project’s scale was massive — enough dump trucks were used to stretch from Myrtle Beach to San Francisco, and the total material moved could fill the Empire State Building more than twice.

Carolina Bays Parkway
A.O. Hardee & Son kicked off the new millennium by completing the largest project in its 45-year history. In partnership with multiple leading contractors involved in the $240 million design-build project, A.O. Hardee moved an astounding 400,000 cubic yards of dirt a month within the 100,000+ acre project site. The high-speed route on the western side of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway vastly improved traffic flow around the booming Myrtle Beach area.

Barefoot Resort 
A.O. Hardee & Son played a critical role in constructing the site of the Barefoot Resort, an award-winning development named the North American Golf Resort of the Year in 2017 by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. Crews performed sitework for the resort, two golf courses (Fazio and Dye), as well as access and interior roadways. The Barefoot Resort remains a top attraction in the North Myrtle Beach region, bringing visitors from across the country to the Carolinas’ coastal region.

Grand Dunes Resort & Marina  
A.O. Hardee & Son developed the site of the Grande Dunes Resort & Marina. Grande Dunes is a 2,200 acre luxurious master planned community that includes 126 wet slip marina, two award winning golf courses, and opulent amenities.

Tanger Outlet
In 2002, A.O. Hardee & Son contributed to the region’s growing commercial retail landscape by developing the 550,000 sq. ft. retail site for the Tanger Outlets, providing the groundwork for one of the area’s premier shopping destinations and supporting the local economy.

Coastal Grande Mall
A.O. Hardee & Son continued shaping the Myrtle Beach area in 2003 by developing the site for Coastal Grande Mall, one of the largest regional malls, with over 1.1 million square feet. The mall is anchored by Dillards, Belk, and JCPenny.

South Strand Commons
In 2004, A.O. Hardee & Son played a key role in driving economic progress by preparing the site for South Strand Commons, a 440,000 square foot power center that is anchored by Lowe’s Home Improvement and Kohl’s department store. The center includes a variety of national and retail tenants such as Hamrick’s, Office Depot, Shoe Station, Ross Dress for Less and PetSmart.

Arcadian Commons
Completed the total sitework of 170,000 square foot power center anchored by WalMart and supporting tenants such as Marshalls, Dollar Tree, Ross, and Shoe Dept.

A.O. Hardee & Son Featured in Construction Today Magazine
By the early 2000s, A.O. Hardee & Son had secured its reputation as one of the Carolinas’ leading site development contractors, gaining the attention of Construction Today Magazine, which highlighted the company’s use of emerging technologies like GPS systems in a feature article, “Building South Carolina.” The company had also doubled in size in the five previous years in response to the regional economic and infrastructure needs.

Ripken Baseball Park
In 2006, A.O. Hardee & Son developed the site for Ripken Baseball Park, a premier sports complex that earned recognition from the South Carolina governor for its contribution to tourism and community recreation.

A.O. Hardee & Son Featured in Construction Today Magazine
Again in 2006, A.O. Hardee & Son caught the attention of Construction Today Magazine, which showcased the company in a feature article, “Having a Lasting Impact.” The article highlighted the company’s political activism to ensure viable paths for construction and development in the region. At the time of the article, owner Benjy Hardee had served as vice chairman of the Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority board of directors, and he spoke on record about the role of forward-thinking developers in the region.

Hard Rock Theme Park
A.O. Hardee & Son partnered with Hensel Phelps Construction Company in 2008 to complete all earthwork and underground utilities work over a five-mile area for the Hard Rock Theme Park in Myrtle Beach. In total, the project involved excavating more than 200,000 cubic yards of material, hauling 360,000 cubic yards of fill dirt, installing five miles of storm drain pipe, and laying roughly 250,000 square yards of asphalt.

Owner Benjy Hardee Featured in Business Journal
After growing up in the A.O. Hardee & Son family business and running its operations for decades, owner Benjy Hardee was featured in a Myrtle Beach Area Business Journal article, celebrating the company’s success and highlighting many of the hugely impactful projects completed by A.O. Hardee & Son that have grown the region over the company’s 50-plus years in business.

Camp Lejune
In 2009, A.O. Hardee & Son completed significant infrastructure work at Camp Lejeune, including barracks construction, mass hauling, and tank repair facilities, supporting one of the nation’s largest Marine Corps bases.

Main Street Connector / Robert Edge Parkway
In 2009, A.O. Hardee & Son completed the Main Street Connector, also known as Robert Edge Parkway, providing a vital new roadway that improved access to North Myrtle Beach and eased traffic congestion in the growing coastal region.

Grand Park Athletic Complex at Market Common
In 2011, A.O. Hardee & Son developed the site for Myrtle Beach Grand Park at Market Common, creating a 120-acre multi-purpose recreational facility that serves as a hub for community events, sports, and outdoor activities.

Sayebrook Shopping Center
In 2011, A.O. Hardee & Son contributed to the region’s commercial growth by developing the site for Sayebrook Shopping Center. With Target as the anchor tenant, and Marshall and Petco as junior tenants, this Town Center is a key retail destination that will serve the Myrtle Beach community for decades to come.

Champions Boulevard
In 2012, A.O. Hardee & Son developed Champions Boulevard, a key roadway in the heart of Myrtle Beach, enhancing accessibility to the area’s major commercial and recreational destinations.

NMB Sports Complex
In 2012, A.O. Hardee & Son completed Phase One of the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex, laying the foundation for a premier athletic facility that has since become a major draw for sports tourism in the region.

Coastal North Town Center
A.O. Hardee & Son developed the Coastal North Town Center, located in the heart of North Myrtle Beach on the former Robbers Roost Golf Course. This 368,000 square foot shopping center features 21 stores and is anchored by Dicks Sporting Goods, Publix, Ross, TJ Maxx, PetSmart, and Hobby Lobby.

Highway 707
In 2014, A.O. Hardee & Son completed 9.53 miles of widening and significant infrastructure work on Highway 707 for the SCDOT. This arterial roadway significantly improved traffic flow and accessibility between key areas of the region that were experiencing significant growth.

Highway 701
In 2015, A.O. Hardee & Son completed a major Design-Build project for the SCDOT.  Improvements to Highway 701, enhanced the road’s capacity and safety, and provided a vital link between rural communities and growing commercial hubs in the region. Nearly 2 miles of roads and 0.85 miles of bridges were replaced over Yauhannah Lake, Great Pee Dee River, and Great Pee Dee Overflow.

Bridgewater
In 2017, A.O. Hardee & Son began development on Bridgewater Community for Chesapeake Homes. This 540 acre master planned coastal community is located along Hwy 9 directly across the street from McLeod Seacoast Hospital on the former and famous Baytree Golf Course. This neighborhood of 1,550 homesites contributes significantly to the region’s growth by providing high-quality housing for new residents with scenic waterfront views and exclusive resort style amenities.

Kingfish Bay
A.O. Hardee & Son played a key role in developing Kingfish Bay in 2017. A  60-acre, private, 235 unit waterfront residential community nestled along the Calabash River in North Carolina. The Caribbean-style coastal architecture features amenities including a 5,000 sq.ft. clubhouse with a pool and spa, fishing pier, waterfront park and boardwalk.

Cherry Grove Dune Renourishment
In 2017, A.O. Hardee & Son lent its extensive fleet of heavy equipment to the Cherry Grove Dune Renourishment project, helping restore and protect the coastline by rebuilding dunes to combat erosion and safeguard the beach from future storms.

Bucksport Bridge Roadway
A.O. Hardee & Son constructed the 2.53-mile roadway connecting Bucksville Road to Highway 701. Construction included 870′ bridge with CIP concrete piles, CIP bridge deck, Keystone Retaining Walls, Storm Drainage, Asphalt, and Striping

Clearing, Earthwork, Storm Drainage, Bridge, Base, Asphalt, Guardrail. The completion of this project created transportation access for local rural and underserved communities.

Hurricane Florence Repairs on Hwy 501
After Hurricane Florence caused severe flooding, South Carolina officials and the National Guard, with help from A.O. Hardee & Son, built an emergency earthen dam along a low-lying stretch of Highway 501 near Conway. The dam protected access to Conway Hospital by keeping two lanes open for traffic. This critical repair work was completed in four days using sand-filled gabions, and the temporary structure was removed after the floodwaters receded.

Coastal Walk Marketplace
In 2019, A.O. Hardee & Son developed the site for Coastal Walk Marketplace in Shallotte, NC, creating the first vibrant national retailer destination to serve the Shallotte community.

Passing of Company Founder Allen O’Bryan Hardee
In 2020, A.O. Hardee & Son mourned the loss of its founder, Allen O’Bryan Hardee. His vision, dedication, and leadership laid the solid foundation for the company’s growth and success, leaving a lasting legacy in South Carolina’s infrastructure and development industry.

McLeod Health Medical Office Building
In 2020, A.O. Hardee & Son completed the site development for the McLeod Health Medical Office Building, providing critical infrastructure for a state-of-the-art medical facility that supports cutting-edge healthcare services in the region.

Benjy Hardee inducted into Carolinas AGC “Hall of Fame”
In 2020, owner Benjy Hardee was inducted into the Carolinas AGC Hall of Fame in recognition of his years of dedication, leadership, and significant impact on the construction industry and the region’s development.

FedEx Distribution Center
In 2021, A.O. Hardee & Son helped bring a $64 million FedEx Distribution Center to life. This 251,000 sq. ft facility was constructed on the former Hard Rock Music Park site off George Bishop Parkway and provided the foundation for a key logistical hub that supports the rapidly growing local commerce and enhancing delivery services across the region.

A.O. Hardee & Son Opens New Office
In 2022, after operating successfully for decades in its original office location, and growing from a small outfit to the largest development contractor in the Carolinas, A.O. Hardee & Son opened a new office in Little River, SC.

Coastal Club of the Carolinas
The Coastal Club of the Carolinas is a master planned residential community by Chesapeake Homes, located on the state line of North and South Carolina where the former Farmstead Golf & Country Club was before closing in 2021. Spanning approximately 482 acres, the development plans to include around 1,215 residential units.  A.O. Hardee & Son is proud to partner with Chesapeake Homes on this coastal lifestyle community that will bring unique homestyles and offer residents easy access to coastal attractions in both Horry and Brunswick counties.

Tupelo Park
In 2022,  Tupelo Park is a new single family home community by Lennar, located in Longs, South Carolina, near Highway 90 and SC-22. The development spans over 160 acres and will feature more than 525 homes when complete, with amenities including a private swimming pool, playground, and picnic area with grilling stations.

Timber Farms
Timber Farms is a master planned community owned by Brookfield Residential who recently acquired Kolter Land. The project is located at the intersection of Highway 17 and Highway 904 in Ash, NC and encompasses approximately 849 acres. The PDD includes; 1,708 single family units, 164 townhouse units, and 40 multifamily units, and 228 duplex units. The development also designates 231 acres for beautiful open space areas, with 61 acres allocated for recreational use. Brookfield plans to continue expanding their residential land development footprint throughout the Southeast.

NMB Sports Complex & Champions Blvd. Expansion
Phase 2 & 3 of Champions Blvd extension and Park expansion to include Five Soccer Fields, Six Baseball Fields, Freshwater Ponds, Walking Trails, Playgrounds, Picnic Shelters.

A.O. Hardee & Son Brand Refresh
A.O. Hardee & Son partnered with FieldWrk to refresh its brand, aligning the company’s visual identity and messaging with its growth and continued commitment to excellence in the industry.