West Ashley · Charleston, South Carolina
The History of Grand Bees
A young neighborhood built along one of the Lowcountry’s oldest transportation corridors.
Two histories meet here: the 300-year story of Bees Ferry Road and the modern expansion of Grand Oaks.
A colonial route toward the Ashley River ferry.
The planned community surrounding Grand Bees.
Acquired by Grand Bees Development in 2004.
The Historic Corridor
Select a date to explore the story.
Before 1670Lowcountry Homeland
Indigenous communities lived throughout the Ashley and Stono river region long before European settlement.
1670Charles Towne Begins in West Ashley
English settlers established the Carolina colony at Albemarle Point, now Charles Towne Landing.
1703–1711A Road and Ferry Take Shape
The colonial legislature authorized a public route toward Wilton. The Ashley River ferry was operating by 1711.
1821Joseph Bee Takes the Ferry
Joseph Ferguson Bee became the operator. “Bee’s Ferry” distinguished this crossing from one nearer Charleston.
1859–1877From Ferryboats to Rail
The old ferry closed in 1859. A railroad bridge opened near the crossing in 1877 and preserved the transportation route.
1800s–1900sFarms, Forests and Wetlands
Outer West Ashley remained largely agricultural and rural while most development stayed closer to Charleston.
1980s–1990sWest Ashley Expands Outward
I-526 and Glenn McConnell Parkway opened previously remote land to new neighborhoods, schools and shopping.
The Modern Neighborhood
Select a date to see how Grand Bees developed.
1993Grand Oaks Is Approved
Charleston approved Bees Landing, later known as Grand Oaks, as a large planned residential community.
2004Grand Bees Land Is Assembled
Grand Bees Development acquired approximately 311 acres within the larger Grand Oaks plan.
2010A Recreation Anchor Opens
Bees Landing Recreation Center opened on land donated by the surrounding community’s developer.
2014–2015Major Phases Move Forward
City reviews covered 320 homesites in later Grand Oaks phases and 85 attached homes in Grand Terrace.
2017Grand Bees Enters Its Main Building Era
CalAtlantic introduced 14 home designs with Lowcountry-inspired porches, neighborhood amenities and recreation access.
2018–Early 2020sLennar Completes Later Sections
Following its merger with CalAtlantic, Lennar continued construction as Grand Bees grew into today’s neighborhood.
