The $49 million Sawmill Center mixed-use development will wrap construction this year, bringing medical offices, retail space and restaurants to Johns Island’s growing commercial corridor.

Roper St. Francis Healthcare anchors the 180,000-square-foot project at 3620 Maybank Highway, occupying roughly 60,000 square feet across two buildings. The health system’s outpatient facility will include primary care, specialty clinics and imaging services.

Developer Daniel Island Holdings broke ground on the project in early 2024, betting on Johns Island’s population boom to drive demand for medical services and retail closer to home. The island’s residential growth has outpaced commercial development, forcing many residents to cross the Stono River Bridge for routine appointments and shopping.

“We’re seeing tremendous population growth on Johns Island, but the commercial infrastructure hasn’t kept pace,” said project manager Sarah Chen. “This fills a real gap in the market.”

The development will also house 15,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, though Chen declined to name specific tenants beyond confirming lease negotiations are ongoing. A 120-room hotel rounds out the project’s commercial mix.

Johns Island’s population has grown 23% since 2020, according to Charleston County planning data, driven largely by new residential developments like Kiawah River and Bohicket Marina Villages. The island now houses roughly 21,000 residents, most of whom commute to West Ashley or downtown Charleston for work and services.

Construction costs have climbed 18% since the project’s initial budget, Chen said, citing material price increases and labor shortages that have affected commercial projects across the tri-county area. The original $42 million budget grew to $49 million, though she said pre-leasing commitments from Roper St. Francis helped secure additional financing.

The medical component represents Roper St. Francis’s continued expansion beyond its downtown Charleston flagship. The health system operates outpatient facilities in Mount Pleasant, Summerville and West Ashley, part of a broader strategy to serve patients closer to where they live.

Completion is scheduled for late 2026, with Roper St. Francis expected to open first, followed by retail tenants in early 2027.