In this episode of the Alosant Innovator Series, we sit down with John Darby, CEO and Chairman of the Board of The Beach Company, a fifth-generation real estate development company based in Charleston.
John shares the company’s origin story, beginning with his grandfather acquiring land to build affordable housing for WWII veterans—an early example of The Beach Company’s commitment to community investment. Today, the company operates in 27 cities, managing construction, brokerage, master-planned communities, and mixed-use developments. Notably, John details how the company continues their legacy of giving back by supporting nonprofits at both groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremonies in the communities they build.
A standout example of The Beach Company’s work is Kiawah River on Saint John’s Island. To differentiate the development from well-established neighboring communities, John explains how they embraced the natural landscape and partnered with local farmers. He explains how features like a farm stand and a “goatery” helped weave agriculture into the community’s identity. John also shares key decisions, such as choosing a boutique hotel over a large-scale resort, ensuring the development remains true to the existing character.
We also discuss the success of Kiawah River’s Southern Living Idea Home, which attracted over 20,000 visitors and highlights the unique lifestyle they are cultivating. John shares key lessons learned from the project, from managing construction traffic to fostering seamless integration between hotel guests and residents. He also discusses how the Alosant App, with an impressive 80% adoption rate in only 4 weeks, is helping solve these challenges.
Join us for this insightful conversation as John Darby shares how The Beach Company is redefining community development while honoring its legacy of thoughtful investment.
