Emerging leader, Ford Elliott, currently serves as partner in Blackstream Christie’s International Real Estate, based in Greenville, S.C. He founded Blackstream in 2009 with just three team members. In only 13 years he has built... Full Article by RealTrends.com

Creating next-generation real estate at the highest level. Ford Elliott, Chief Executive Officer of Contender Development and Chairman of Blackstream, is a veteran real estate developer and entrepreneur with over 17 years’ experience in development, construction, investment, business acquisitions, and running multiple successful businesses. At the heart of his business, Ford prioritizes people, partnerships, and projects. Contender, is the Southeast’s premier real estate development firm headquartered in Greenville, SC with projects throughout North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. A development company focused on land development, hotels, and restaurants; Contender represents a combined experience of 50+ years. In his mid-20’s, Ford Elliott had a vision for building a real estate company based on integrity, expertise, and exceptional client services. A licensed general contractor and real estate broker, he began with just three members on his team. That number has now grown to over 200 team members. He may have envisioned what his future would look like, but even he was amazed with the growth and prestige the firm has enjoyed in little over a decade in business – becoming one of the most elite real estate firms in the Carolinas. Ford credits this success to his team and to the simple principle of doing the right thing, day in and day out. Since 2009, Blackstream, the real estate brokerage and property management firm, has grown to include five offices with $670 million in sales volume in 2021. Also in 2021, Blackstream’s partnership with Christie’s International Real Estate was so successful that Blackstream was named Christie’s International Real Estate Small Market Affiliate of the Year. In addition to these accomplishments, SVN | Blackstream finished as one of the Top 10 offices in the country among 220 offices worldwide. And, in his hometown of Greenville, SC, SVN | Blackstream was recently named Best in Business for Commercial Real Estate in 2022 by Greenville Business Magazine. “Ford is partnership focused and driven. His partners and those relationships mean everything to him and you can see it in all aspects of his business and personal relationships. He knows that it takes great partnerships to build great companies and he has done that time and again in building Blackstream and our family of companies.” ~ Josh Howard, President of Contender Development, Inc. and SVP and General Counsel of Blackstream. Part of Ford’s success is his ability to envision the possibilities for people, partnerships and projects. He saw opportunities and had the courage to bring on local and national partnerships that brought these opportunities to fruition. Now, with over $1 billion in active real estate development projects in 2022, Ford is one of the largest developers in the Carolinas. His projects include 35 residential communities, 6 Marriott hotels, 5 apartment developments, 3 storage facilities, 1 auto dealership and 17 restaurants. Through various entities, Ford and his partners own and control approximately 4,000 acres of land in the Southeast. In 17 years, Ford has completed a wide array of development, redevelopment, and acquisitions throughout his career. Ford Elliott lives his values and passion in everything he does. His leadership begins with envisioning the best in the people and places his business touches. It builds with his accountability, flexibility, and dedication to innovation. Ford understands that intentional change can make a company powerful and responsive. He strongly believes in collaboration to bring his projects to fruition by choosing partnerships that share the same commitment to integrity and values that he puts forth in his businesses. Most importantly, Ford enjoys being a husband to his wife, Hillary, and a father to their five children, Jolie, Wells, Crew, Lleyton and Carlen. Congratulations, Ford Elliott, on being named one of the 50 Most Influential Recipients for 2022 by Greenville Business Magazine. Original Article by Greenville Business Magazine.

Groundbreaking News! Contender announces a new subdivision has broken ground in Anderson, South Carolina, adjacent to TL Hanna High School. Harriett Circle, located at McConnell Spring Road and Harriett Circle, will feature 132 single family residences built by our industry partners at Lennar Homes. More information on lot sales coming soon!

Actively selling now in Greer, South Carolina, Highland Colony Estates is a new community of single-family homes convenient to local shopping, entertainment and dining in Greenville, Greer and Simpsonville. Adjacent to the MeSA Soccer Complex and a short drive to the Reedy River, this Lennar community offers several move-in-ready floor plans. Check out the Contender Development website for more news about Contender and our many projects under development in the Upstate. NEWS | Contender Development

Welcome to Lakestone, another new Contender project in Woodruff, South Carolina. This community of 401 single family homes is strategically located with access to both I-85 and I-385 and is convenient to Greenville, Spartanburg and Woodruff! Builder D.R. Horton offers a variety of floorplans to choose from and a luxurious community pool amenity as well. Models are open! Check out the Contender Development website for more news about Contender and our many projects under development in the Upstate. https://www.contenderdevelopment.com

Phase 1 is selling fast! Located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, Wexford Park boasts a 311-lot residential subdivision consisting of 187 single family lots and 124 townhomes, once all phases are complete. Meritage has done it again. Beautiful homes in a great location. Model homes at Wexford Park are open. Check out our website for more news about Contender and active developments.

Together with our industry partners at Durham Homes, Contender is excited to announce The Haven – a 40 lot, townhome community now under construction in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Located on Main Street, The Haven is within easy walking distance to downtown Simpsonville and its vibrant restaurant scene. Saluda Construction has completed site grading, and the installation of wet utilities is underway. Landscape design and amenity plans are in the final approval process. Lot sales information to be provided soon. Check out our website for more news about Contender and its many active developments at Contenderdevelopment.com.

Contender and its industry partner, Marriott, is proud to announce the construction start of the Element by Westin located in North Charleston, South Carolina. Scheduled to open in Q1 of 2025, the Element will attract both business and leisure travelers visiting Charleston and its varied amenities. Guest rooms will feature a full kitchen and ample room for a comfortable, extended stay. Relax in the sparkling outdoor pool and enjoy a complimentary breakfast for all guests. Kudos to our Mt. Pleasant, SC-based building partners at Construction Professionals, Inc. for another great project.

On December 10, 2022, Culver’s in Duncan, SC celebrated their Grand Opening with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and plaque presentation by the Town of Duncan Mayor Shirley Clopton. The Reidville Fire Company made an appearance with their Touch-a-Truck along with Santa and his elves. Culver’s in Duncan is located at 1700 E. Main Street in Duncan and is open daily.

In partnership with DR Horton, we are pleased to announce that development has officially begun at Baxter Village, a new single-family, residential subdivision located off of Highway 9 and Sloan Garden Road in Boiling Springs, SC. This 167 acre subdivision in Spartanburg County will consist of 550 residential lots boasting a covered pavilion with pool and an outdoor fireplace amenity package. Patio homes and townhomes will be featured. Home sales are slated to begin later this year.

Greenville-based Contender Development has big plans for an 11.8-acre piece of property it purchased along Woodlark Street between Laurens Road and Interstate 385 that will soon be bounded by the Prisma Swamp Rabbit Trail extension. Contender CEO Ford Elliott said his company, which bought the land for $2.7 million, is in the early stages of planning what could be a $100 million mixed-use project that would take advantage of the trail and the nearby Holland Park development. “The land is very special to us and we want to do something special for Greenville,” Elliott said. He added that his vision for the property is to build on the momentum the Swamp Rabbit Trail has gained all along its current 22-mile length from Travelers Rest through Greenville and, with efforts to expand the trail, into the Golden Strip. Although the exact nature of the project is still being determined, Elliott said he anticipates it will incorporate multifamily housing, mixed retail and restaurant, and potentially office components. Elliott said he has been looking at the property for several years, but the trail expansion and the city’s continued progress in developing a vision for the Gateway Corridor made the timing perfect for launching the new project. In a release announcing the property sale, Frank Hammond with Colliers, who represented owner Barry Alford, said the parcel was previously 17 acres with a Laurens Road frontage but was subdivided to accommodate new businesses including Home Team BBQ, Flying Rabbit Adventures and Double Stamp Brewery. Elliott said access to those adjacent businesses will inform choices in the composition of his firm’s project. He added that it’s become clear that whether people live or work in the area, they put a premium on trail access and conveniently located amenities like dining and shopping options. This is the fourth project in the area by Contender Development, which is one of the Southeast’s larger development firms with more than $1 billion in projects across the region. Contender Development’s plans for the property are expected to include: A multifamily housing component Mixed retail Restaurants Potential office space Could total more than $100 million investment Original Article by Upstate Business Journal: https://upstatebusinessjournal.com/business-news/greenville-sc-developer-planning-major-project-along-swamp-rabbit-trail-extension/