Richmond Hill, Georgia, September 8, 2025
News Summary
ECI Group has broken ground on The Averly Richmond Hill, a $60 million mixed-use development along Ford Avenue in Richmond Hill, Georgia. The project will deliver 291 residential units — 243 apartments and 48 three-story townhomes with two-car garages — plus more than 3.5 acres of retail pad sites with high-visibility frontage. On-site amenities will include an 8,400 sq ft clubhouse, fitness center, co-working space, pool, dog park and amenity courtyards. ECI Construction leads construction with financing from Synovus and CIBC; retail pads are being marketed for ground lease and tenant fit-out.
The Averly Richmond Hill breaks ground on $60 million mixed-use project along Ford Avenue
A new mixed-use development has broken ground in Richmond Hill, Georgia. The project, named The Averly Richmond Hill, is a $60 million investment by ECI Group and will include 291 residential units and more than 3.5 acres of retail pad sites along Ford Avenue. Construction is led by ECI Construction with financing provided by Synovus and CIBC.
Key facts up front
The development will deliver 243 apartment residences — a mix of one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom units — and 48 three‑bedroom townhome residences with two‑car garages. Ground‑level retail space will be built on two separate parcels, and pad sites will be offered for ground lease. The developer plans to deliver pad‑ready retail sites in Q1 2026.
Residential details
Apartment floor plans will range from about 770 square feet for one‑bedroom units up to approximately 1,449 square feet for three‑bedrooms. Townhomes are planned as three‑story units between 1,851 and 1,984 square feet, each with a two‑car garage.
Interior features will include open plans, in‑unit washers and dryers, walk‑in closets, large kitchen islands and a private balcony or patio on every unit. Standard finishes reported for the project include vinyl plank flooring that resembles hardwood, quartz countertops with undermount sinks, designer cabinets and light fixtures, tiled kitchen backsplashes and bathroom surrounds, and stainless steel appliances.
Retail and site plan
The site includes more than 3.5 acres of retail pad sites intended for high‑visibility frontage along Ford Avenue. Retail will be configured as ground‑level space across two separate parcels, with pad sites available for ground lease. Marketing for the retail pads is being handled by agents from Colliers | Savannah, and the pads are scheduled to be delivered ready for tenant fit-out in Q1 2026.
Amenities and on‑site services
Planned community amenities include an 8,400‑square‑foot clubhouse, a state‑of‑the‑art fitness center, a co‑working area, automated package facilities, an expansive pool, a dog park and two amenity courtyards. The mix of amenities is designed to serve both residents and the broader surrounding neighborhood.
Location and market context
The property sits along Ford Avenue in Richmond Hill, less than one mile from I‑95 and about 18 miles southwest of Savannah. The site is approximately 30 acres and is positioned in the center of Richmond Hill’s growing retail and commercial district. Traffic counts near the site exceed 15,000 cars per day, and the location offers direct access to primary highways and nearby job centers.
Local employers in the broader market include major industrial and aviation employers, regional port facilities and a nearby military installation, all of which are cited as drivers of housing and retail demand in the submarket. The community will also be served by Richmond Hill’s school district.
Finance, construction and development team
ECI Group is the developer and owner, with ECI Construction serving as the general contractor. Construction financing was provided by Synovus and CIBC. ECI has been operating in the metro area since 2015 and reports a multi‑thousand‑unit portfolio across the Southeast and Texas.
Market positioning
The project is being pitched to retailers and tenants as an opportunity to capture visibility along Ford Avenue and to serve a fast‑growing Richmond Hill submarket with strong access to regional employers and Interstate traffic. Retail pad marketing is active now, and pad‑ready availability is slated for early 2026.
FAQ
What is The Averly Richmond Hill?
The Averly Richmond Hill is a mixed‑use development by ECI Group that will include 291 residential units and over 3.5 acres of retail pad sites on Ford Avenue in Richmond Hill, Georgia.
How many and what types of homes will be built?
The project will include 243 apartment residences (one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom) and 48 three‑bedroom, two‑car garage townhome residences built as three‑story townhouses.
What amenities will the community offer?
Amenities will include an 8,400‑square‑foot clubhouse, fitness center, co‑working area, automated package facilities, pool, dog park and two amenity courtyards.
When will retail pads be ready?
The developer expects to deliver pad‑ready retail sites in Q1 2026 for tenant fit‑out and ground lease opportunities.
Who is financing and building the project?
Construction is managed by ECI Construction. Financing for the project is provided by Synovus and CIBC.
Who is marketing the retail pad sites?
Retail pad sites are being marketed by Colliers | Savannah, including Ashley Smith and Tyler Mouchet.
Project at a glance — key features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Project name | The Averly Richmond Hill |
| Developer / Owner | ECI Group |
| Project type | Mixed‑use (residential + retail pad sites) |
| Estimated cost | $60 million |
| Total residential units | 291 units (243 apartments, 48 townhomes) |
| Apartment sizes | ~770 sq ft (1BR) to ~1,449 sq ft (3BR) |
| Townhome sizes | 1,851 to 1,984 sq ft; three stories; two‑car garages |
| Retail pad acreage | 3.5+ acres of pad sites; ground lease opportunities |
| Pad delivery | Q1 2026 (pad-ready for tenants) |
| General contractor | ECI Construction |
| Construction lenders | Synovus, CIBC |
| Retail marketing | Colliers | Savannah (Ashley Smith, Tyler Mouchet) |
| Site size | About 30 acres on Ford Avenue |
| Proximity to highway | Less than 1 mile to I‑95 |
| Nearby employers | Major regional employers and logistics hubs, including automotive, aviation, port and military employers |
| Daily traffic | More than 15,000 vehicles per day near the site |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Savannah Business Journal: ECI Group breaks ground on $60M mixed-use
- Wikipedia: The Averly Richmond Hill
- Multihousing News: $60M Savannah mixed-use project breaks ground
- Google Search: Averly Richmond Hill ECI Group
- WRenews: ECI Group breaks ground on Savannah-area mixed-use development
- Google Scholar: Averly Richmond Hill mixed-use
- ConnectCRE: ECI building apartment + retail project in Savannah
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Richmond Hill Georgia
- SavannahNow: Residential and commercial growth in Richmond Hill
- Google News: Averly Richmond Hill
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