St James Plantation

St. James Plantation is a 6,000-acre private, gated coastal community along North Carolina's Intracoastal Waterway, just outside the historic fishing village of Southport and about 30–40 miles south of Wilmington. Officially opened in 1991 and incorporated as the Town of St. James in 1999, it has grown into one of the most established and highly regarded master-planned communities in Brunswick County — with its own elected mayor, fire department, EMS, and Property Owners' Association. Roughly 4,500 property owners call it home today, with build-out planned at approximately 5,000 residences. The community is best known for its golf. The Clubs at St. James, managed by Troon, offer 81 holes of championship golf across four courses: The Members Club (Hale Irwin signature, 27 holes), The Founders Club (P.B. Dye), The Reserve Club (Nicklaus Design, named Best New Course in North Carolina), and The Players Club (Tim Cate). Membership is tiered, with an initiation structure of roughly $30,000 deposit (80% refundable) plus a $15,000 non-refundable fee for full golf, and social-tier options for those who want amenity access without golf. Beyond golf, the amenity package is remarkable — over $100 million invested. Four clubhouses anchor the community, each with its own dining venue: Beacon315, SeaSide, Mangiare at the Founders Club, Aces, and the Reserve Club Grille. The 475-slip full-service marina on the Intracoastal Waterway includes wet slips, dry-stack storage, a marketplace, tiki bar, and direct boating access to the Atlantic. A private oceanfront beach club — St. James By The Sea on Oak Island, just minutes away — gives members a rare private beach amenity with pools, dining, and cabanas. The Signature Wellness Center at SeaSide offers fitness equipment, classes, pools (indoor and outdoor), steam rooms, and saunas. Racquet sports are equally strong: 13 Har-Tru clay tennis courts spread across four complexes (Founders, Members Athletic Center, Players Club Regency area, and SeaSide), plus 10 pickleball courts with dedicated facilities. Social life is built around 100+ clubs and interest groups — bikers, book clubs, garden clubs, wine groups, fishing clubs, photography, cards, crafts, and more — supported by a full-time activities director. Over 36 miles of biking and walking trails wind through preserved coastal landscape, and community gardens, parks, and waterway access points are scattered throughout. The real estate mix is diverse. Distinct neighborhood districts include the Marina District (waterfront-focused), the Reserve (upscale golf), Woodlands Park (wooded lots with water views), Regency Lakes (lawn-care-included, pond-view), Founders Club area (established, historic), SeaSide (newer, amenity-adjacent), and HarborWalk (condominium living near the marina). Homes range from low-maintenance condos and townhomes to custom single-family residences, waterfront estates, and Reserve Club Cottages with lock-and-leave lifestyles. Multiple award-winning builders are active, including Kent Homes, Trusst Builder Group, Riverbrook Builders, Logan Homes, Hagood Builders, and George Crane. Though the community is technically all-ages, its residents skew heavily toward retirees and active adults — median age in the mid-60s — drawn by North Carolina's mild four-season coastal climate, low taxes, resort-caliber amenities, and the walkable historic charm of Southport just four miles from the main gate. Downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, and Bald Head Island are all within easy reach, making St. James a destination where retirement lifestyle, coastal recreation, and small-town Southern community blend seamlessly.