The Southeast’s Most Trusted Partner in
Real Estate Development
HEADQUARTERED IN GREENVILLE, SC
Where vision meets groundwork: Building Communities, Shaping Destinations
Every project begins with a commitment to community, integrity, and lasting value. From initial groundwork to grand opening, our people and partners shape the future of the Southeast together.
Contender AMERiCa
Contender is a trusted partner for real estate solutions across the Southeast. With a combined experience of over 85 years, our team has amassed more than 12,000 acres for innovative development across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Our portfolio of active projects continues to expand, underscoring our expertise and commitment to excellence in the industry.
60
PROJECTS
7
HOTELS
14
SELF STORAGE LOCATIONS
2
AUTOMOTIVE
POINTS
2
RESTAURANTS
7
HOTELS
We turn vision into value.
Contender America’s strength lies in our ability to deliver exceptional results across a spectrum of industries and asset types. From master-planned residential communities and landmark hotels to modern self-storage solutions, innovative commercial developments, and automotive facilities, our diverse project portfolio reflects the adaptability and wide-ranging expertise of our integrated team. Every new venture is an opportunity to unlock enduring value for stakeholders and local communities, fueling growth throughout the Southeast while making a meaningful impact in every market we serve.
DIVERSIFICATION IS OUR STRENGTH
Crystal Lagoons
We Create Opportunities Across the Southeast
Contender America delivers comprehensive real estate solutions throughout the Southeast, with active divisions in land development, infrastructure, commercial projects, retail stores, hotel development, and storage facilities. Serving North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, our integrated team creates thriving communities and successful destinations that drive growth and lasting value across five states.
RECENT
LAND
ACQUISITIONS
Mallard Crossing: Transformative Growth for Smithfield, NC
MALLARD CROSSING PROJECT OVERVIEW
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Total size: 468 acres (assemblage of six parcels)
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Location: Smithfield, NC (30 minutes from downtown Raleigh, easy access to I‑95)
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Builder: NVR | Ryan Homes
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Total homesites: 1,327
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Neighborhoods: 7 distinct areas, developed in 5 phases
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Amenities:
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Swimming Pool
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Playgrounds, pavilion, pickleball courts, gazebo, and dog park
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Trails and sidewalks connecting neighborhoods
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Density: 2.8 dwelling units per acre
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Home style mix: Traditional/conventional homes and age-targeted townhomes for first-time buyers and seniors
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Project partners: Homebuilding by NVR | Ryan Homes
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Timeline: Construction expected to begin in 2026, with a 6-year buildout
Industry Partners
Contender America is proud to partner with some of the most respected names in real estate, hospitality, retail, storage, and automotive. Our collaborative approach and commitment to excellence have earned the trust of industry leaders including Marriott, Hilton Hotels, D.R. Horton, Lennar Homes, NVR, Meritage Homes, Crystal Lagoons, Public Storage, Culver’s Restaurants, Ford, and Chevrolet. These valued relationships are a testament to our reputation for quality, reliability, and delivering outstanding results across every division.
The Contender Advantage
With deep knowledge of the southeast market, our team leverages extensive experience in commercial and mixed-use sectors to provide unparalleled service. We prioritize an approach that is relationship-based, firmly believing in the power of collaboration to achieve shared goals.
Honesty and integrity are the cornerstones of our work, ensuring trust and transparency in all interactions. Our unwavering commitment to enhancing our communities drives us to create meaningful, lasting impacts in every project we undertake.
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“From day one, our vision has been to partner with like-minded companies and individuals to create highly successful developments that bring value to the communities in which they are located. Together, with our partners, we have some of the most renowned residential, hotel, self storage, automotive, restaurant, and apartment projects in the Southeast.”
FORD ELLIOTT
CONTENDER AMERICA
FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Contender AMERICA
Contender is a trusted partner for real estate solutions across the Southeast. With a combined experience of over 85 years, our team has amassed more than 12,000 acres for development across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. Our portfolio of active projects continues to expand, underscoring our expertise and commitment to excellence in the industry.
Relationships are the Cornerstone to Success
So many things determine success: timing, expertise, skill, experience, market knowledge. But most of all, success lives and breathes on the relationships you establish. No matter how big the company or organization, it all comes down to working with people.
At Contender, we have been fortunate to work with the finest individuals and companies across a wide range of commercial industries, in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida. At Contender, we partner with companies that share our integrity and commitment to create premier developments and businesses that we can be proud of collectively.
Crystal Lagoons
Contender AMERICA
Contender is a dynamic development company specializing in land development, hotels, self-storage, automotive, restaurants, and Crystal Lagoons. With a combined experience of over 85 years, our team has amassed more than 12,000 acres for development across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. Our portfolio of active projects continues to expand, underscoring our expertise and commitment to excellence in the industry.
We create opportunities across the Southeast
Contender America delivers comprehensive real estate solutions throughout the Southeast, with active divisions in land development, infrastructure, commercial projects, retail stores, hotel development, and storage facilities. Serving North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, our integrated team creates thriving communities and successful destinations that drive growth and lasting value across five states.
Industry Partners
Contender America is proud to partner with some of the most respected names in real estate, hospitality, retail, storage, and automotive.
Our collaborative approach and commitment to excellence have earned the trust of industry leaders including Marriott, Hilton Hotels, D.R. Horton, Lennar Homes, NVR, Meritage Homes, Crystal Lagoons, Public Storage, Culver’s Restaurants, Ford, and Chevrolet.
These valued relationships are a testament to our reputation for quality, reliability, and delivering outstanding results across every division.
2
RESTAURANTS
2
AUTOMOTIVE POINTS
14
SELF STORAGE
LOCATIONS
60
INFRASTRUCTURE
PROJECTS
7
HOTELS
The Contender Advantage
With deep knowledge of the southeast market, our team leverages extensive experience in commercial and mixed-use sectors to provide unparalleled service. We prioritize an approach that is relationship-based, firmly believing in the power of collaboration to achieve shared goals. Honesty and integrity are the cornerstones of our work, ensuring trust and transparency in all interactions. Our unwavering commitment to enhancing our communities drives us to create meaningful, lasting impacts in every project we undertake.
“From day one, our vision has been to partner with like-minded companies and individuals to create highly successful developments that bring value to the communities in which they are located. Together, with our partners, we have part of some of the most renowned residential, hotel, restaurant, and apartment projects in the southeast.”
FORD ELLIOTT
CONTENDER AMERICA
FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER