Waterside-Meritage (Phases I & II)

Overview

A.O. Hardee & Son handled all site development for Waterside, a master-planned coastal community located in Longs, South Carolina—just minutes from North Myrtle Beach. Built in two phases across 130 acres, the project supports one of Meritage Homes’ premier regional developments and includes 396 single-family home sites to date. The scope covered initial clearing and grubbing, underground utilities, stormwater systems, roadways, sidewalks, and walking paths. With Phase 3 expected to begin soon, Waterside continues to grow as a thoughtfully designed, livable neighborhood offering scenic surroundings and convenient regional access.

Challenges

Managing back-to-back large construction phases required precise planning and execution, especially when it came to balancing nearly 344,000 cubic yards of cut-to-fill across the site. A.O. Hardee & Son successfully balanced the entire site using only on-site material, eliminating the need for off-site hauling. In Phase 2 alone, 63 acres were cleared and 160,000 cubic yards of soil were moved. The team also had to execute complex utility routing and pond over-excavation to meet both immediate construction needs and long-term drainage goals.

Solution

Across Phases I and II, A.O. Hardee & Son installed more than 17,000 feet of sanitary sewer, 21,000 feet of waterline, and 20,000 feet of storm drainage. Surface infrastructure included over 51,000 square yards of asphalt paving, more than 5,800 square yards of walking paths, and extensive curb and sidewalk work. A phased construction approach allowed the team to stay efficient, balance the site effectively, and maintain steady progress across a large and varied terrain.

Result

Waterside Phases I & II were delivered with all lots and infrastructure fully prepared for vertical construction by Meritage Homes. With completion of the full community on track for late 2025, Waterside showcases A.O. Hardee & Son’s ability to manage complex, multi-phase subdivisions with accuracy and dependability—helping to set a new standard for coastal living in the region.