A 125 room, pet friendly hotel, the Element boasts event spaces, cocktail lounge, fitness center and a stunning pool. Situated just minutes from the Tanger Outlets and the North Charleston Coliseum, and a mere 25 minute drive from downtown Charleston.  Whether stopping by for a few days or settling in for a few weeks, time away from home shouldn’t mean time away from life. The Element offers outdoor inspired vibrant living and smart, fresh thinking. The Element believes everyone deserves to be well - no matter who they are, where they come from, or how long they’re away from home. That’s why the Element offers seamless and intuitive wellness, built in from the start.

Marriott 2024 Connect Conference, Orlando, FL [June 2024]. Industry leaders from across the U.S. and Canada gathered in Orlando to celebrate their achievements in the hospitality industry. Contender’s outstanding growth and commitment to excellence garnered them the coveted Developer of the Year Award , awarded by Marriott International. The award emphasizes Contender's dedication to developing high-quality properties that enhance the Marriott brand. "We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award from Marriott International," said Ford Elliott, CEO & Co-Chairman of Contender Development, Inc. "This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our entire team and collaborative partners. We are committed to continuing our strong partnership with Marriott and delivering exceptional properties that meet the highest standards of quality and service."   Award Recipients Pictured L-R: Josh Howard (Contender), Ford Elliott (Contender), Adam Plous (Contender), David Marriott, Mike Leich (Contender), Mike Pitts (Contender), Ty Breland, Carlos Salgado (Contender)

Strategically located at the intersection of Huger and Senate Streets, the 120+ key hotel will provide access to major Columbia landmarks including the University of South Carolina campus, the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Riverfront Park, and the Historic Columbia Canal. “We are excited to bring a premier extended stay option to the heart of Columbia,” said Ford Elliott, CEO and Co-Chairman of Contender. “This Residence Inn will not only cater to the needs of business and leisure travelers but also contribute to the ongoing growth and revitalization of the Vista District.” This project marks the second collaboration between Contender and CPI Architects, following the successful development of Element by Westin in North Charleston. Both companies share a commitment to excellence and innovation in hospitality development. Construction is set to commence in the first quarter of 2025.

Contender's exponential growth in 2024 is largely due to the relationships we have successfully built with our industry partners, clients, and those whose collaborative efforts have contributed in such a tremendous way. We are excited to usher in 2025 with all of you!

Nestled on 50+ acres in Greenwood, South Carolina, Johns Creek is officially under construction! This 157 single family home community on Calhoun Road will offer multiple floor plans for new residents to choose from constructed by builder DR Horton. Greenwood’s Cultural District offers many dining venues. The Museum and Railroad Historical Center, the local Community Theatre and, most notably, the Arts Center, are among the varied spots of interest in the city center.

Check out this video of Harriett Circle. This 132 single family home community located in Anderson, South Carolina is progressing at a rapid pace. Grading is complete and we are moving on to wet and dry utility installs.

With deep knowledge of the southeast market, our team leverages extensive land development experience in the commercial and mixed-use sectors to provide unparalleled service. Our unwavering commitment to enhancing our communities drives us to create meaningful, lasting impacts in every project we undertake. Please contact us directly or go to the Sell Your Land tab to submit a request. Someone from our Land & Business Acquisitions Team will contact you promptly.

State and local representatives attended the 2024 South Carolina Housing Summit in Columbia, SC last week. More than 200+ participants, panelists and private business representatives converged to discuss innovations and trends in housing across the State of South Carolina. Contender was pleased to be one of the event sponsors. Senator Tom Davis, Representative Chandra Dillard, Representative Case Britain, and Federal Reserve Bank participant Dr. Laura Ullrich were among the presenters who joined with local constituents to shine a spotlight on the constantly changing landscape of zoning, permitting, land use and long-term sustainability. Innovative ways to address work force housing, homelessness, and other known obstacles in the current housing crisis in both South Carolina and the Nation at large were focal points of the day. Dr. Ullrich talked extensively about the relationship between housing and employment. She also touched upon the often overlooked Community Reinvestment Act credits that could be better utilized to incentivize the private sector and provide needed resources to promote stable housing solutions. Keynote Speaker, Dawn Dowden of Homes of Hope, gave a riveting talk about the impactful ways that housing affordability, or more pointedly the lack thereof, creates repercussions for families and children that encompass not only financial restrictiveness, but quality medical, educational and social fluctuations too. The Institute for Child Success was the name behind the face of the event. ICS serves children and families in more than 26 states through 48 distinct initiatives and projects. They have helped thousands of early childhood professionals gain the resources they need to help young children thrive. A special appearance by local artist, Ija Charles was enjoyed by all.

Veteran real estate developer and entrepreneur, Ford Elliott, sat down with Matt Lutz at The Deal Ranch. Episode 38 of The Deal Ranch Podcast is out now! Listen at the link below. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify .

The toll was great as Helene wreaked havoc in the Carolinas in September. North Carolina was devastated with massive flooding, loss of utilities, and destruction of homes and lives. Those of us in South Carolina felt the repercussions as well. Residents, business owners and organizations redefined “Community” in an instant post-Helene, through the joining of hands and hearts to offer assistance, support, time and resources. We were proud to be a small part of the mission to assist North Carolina residents by making donations at the Downtown Greenville Airport’s Runway Cafe where Happy Helicopter Tours did a fantastic job of setting up a donations center. The daunting lines of cars waiting to make drop offs was long indeed. Many parked their cars and walked to the Runway Cafe to drop off needed items from paper products to chain saws. The response from the community was overwhelming and far surpassed all expectations! Woodruff, SC was hit extremely hard as well. In a rural area with thousands of acres of farmland, flooding and lack of utilities was prevalent following the storm. Many were without power and lacked clean water, while schools were closed for an extended period due to downed power lines. Our team members delivered 500 meals to residents at Woodruff City Hall on Friday, October 4, with the aid of the Woodruff Police Department, the City Manager’s Office and many volunteers. Thank you to all who gave of their time and resources. We appreciate each and every one of you!

On September 13, Contender, along with other sponsors and supporters, gathered at The 405 Venue in downtown Greenville to honor this year’s award recipients for the Best of the Latinos in the Upstate. The Latino Awards originated by hearing the interest of local Latino businesses and business owners in receiving recognition for their hard work in the community through their services or products. The event highlighted the contributions and value of our Latino community in the Upstate with an interactive contest between the public and businesses. It was a night filled with celebrating their achievements during Hispanic Heritage Month. Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients! Pictured L-R: Susana Diaz, Pedro Diaz, Ford Elliott, Hillary Elliott, Shadid Montato, Laz Montato