
Relationships are the Cornerstone to Success
So many things determine success: timing, expertise, skill, experience, market knowledge. 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 and Florida.
We partner with companies that share our integrity and commitment to create premier developments and businesses that we can be proud of collectively.
Our Divisions

Crystal Lagoons
Contender
Contender is a dynamic development company specializing in land development, hotels, self storage, automotive, restaurants and Crystal Lagoons. With a combined experience of over 60 years, our team has amassed more than 8,700 acres for 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.
A Team You Can Trust
Ford’s mother once gave him advice that remains close to his heart: “Give your 100% best every day and you can achieve anything.” That has served as a credo for Contender—and a core value that he has passed down to everyone in the company. He says, “We want to work with the best partners, hire the best people, and always do what we say we will do. Those three things have helped us grow and achieve the success we have today. They are the foundation of our business.”
Industry Partners
60
PROJECTS
10
HOTELS
14
SELF STORAGE LOCATIONS
2
AUTOMOTIVE
POINTS
2
RESTAURANTS
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 a relationship-based approach, 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 FOUNDER &
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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, 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
Contender is a dynamic development company specializing in land development, hotels, and restaurants. With a combined experience of over 50 years, our team has amassed more than 4,000 acres for development across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Our portfolio boasts over one billion dollars in active developments, underscoring our expertise and commitment to excellence in the industry.
A Team You Can Trust
Ford’s mother once gave him advice that remains close to his heart: “Give your 100% best every day and you can achieve anything.” That has served as a credo for Contender—and a core value that he has passed down to everyone in the company. He says: “We want to work with the best partners, hire the best people, and always do what we say we will do. Those three things have helped us grow and achieve the success we have today. They are the foundation of our business.”
Industry Partners
2
RESTAURANTS
2
AUTOMOTIVE POINTS
10
SELF STORAGE
LOCATIONS
60
PROJECTS
10
HOTELS
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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 part of some of the most renowned residential, hotel, restaurant, and apartment projects in the southeast.”
FORD ELLIOTT
CONTENDER FOUNDER, CEO, & CO-CHAIRMAN
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 a relationship-based approach, 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.