Multi-family housing and active adult living. Plans include a shopping center with a grocery store as an anchor and an office park. Image provided by Greenfield Communities.
Real estate development company Greenfield Communities has big plans for Lillington.
Development of a mixed-use community called Capeton is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025. This community spans approximately 840 acres and runs along the Cape Fear River.
After their first development in Harnett County, a large residential community called Serenity, received a positive response from the community, Greenfield Communities did not hesitate to seize the opportunity to develop another property in this rapidly growing county.
“When the opportunity for this land came up and we walked on it, especially along the Cape Fear River – it’s the most majestic piece of land I’ve ever walked on – we just knew we wanted to create something wonderful for the town of Lillington,” says Dawn Forrest, vice president of marketing for Greenfield Communities.
Capeton will include approximately 2,250 residential units, including single-family homes, townhomes, cottages, multi-family housing and active living for seniors. Plans include a shopping center with a grocery store and an office park.
The name Capeton is derived from the “Cape” of the Cape Fear River and the “Ton” of Lillington.
Forrest said they are currently working on building permits with the city, county and state of North Carolina. Behind the scenes, Greenfield’s commercial broker Jim Broemer is preparing to market Capeton’s retail district to local and regional businesses, with the goal of tying the commercial district’s development as closely to residential construction as possible.
Forrest said that in the first phase, Greenfield will build its first public facility while simultaneously beginning construction on the homes so future homeowners can use them immediately.
The first facility will be a family-friendly water park with an outdoor clubhouse. In later phases, Greenfield will add “The Fieldhouse,” a sports center that will accommodate recreational sports leagues as well as pickleball, a fitness center, swimming pool and a climate-controlled clubhouse. A third facility will be designed specifically for the active adult community.
“One of the facilities we’re most excited about at Capeton is the Fieldhouse, which is essentially a covered sports arena that can also be used for more formal events and gatherings,” Forrest said. “So let’s say Campbell University wants to host a banquet on a fall evening; this would be a great venue for that. Or imagine a couple getting married in the riverfront amphitheater and then having their reception in the Fieldhouse. While it’s not fully covered, it’s designed to accommodate both private events, wedding receptions and similar public gatherings.”
Forrest said they hope to deliver the lots to developers by the second quarter of 2026. If the lots are delivered by summer 2026, homeowners will be able to move in before the end of the year.
A wide variety of homes are being built throughout Capeton, including single-family homes, cottages, townhomes, multi-family apartments and active senior living. While it’s difficult to predict home prices this far in advance, Forrest shared that offering different types of housing gives people of varying incomes the opportunity to find an option within their budget in this new community.
“There are so many components that go into bringing a community of this magnitude together – from erosion control to recreational facility design, from coordinating with NCDOT on entrance design to implementing architectural themes. And we are so grateful to the City of Lillington staff. They have been fantastic to work with, and Greenfield couldn’t be more excited to bring such a fantastic community to life that we hope will help highlight the beauty of the Cape Fear River and the charm of Lillington,” noted Forrest.
There will be a four-kilometer riverfront greenway nature trail, a riverfront amphitheater, and future riverfront retail stores open to the public.
Capeton certainly offers its residents a beautiful mix of natural scenery, beautiful homes, and commercial and retail amenities.
To follow community developments and learn more about the many things Capeton has to offer, visit www.CapetonNC.com.
