Ocean One is back in the conversation with a major update to its plans in Milton. 

The proposed development near Routes 1 and 16 has already drawn attention because of its commercial scale, with more than 500,000 square feet of planned shopping center space near the Route 16 overpass. 

Now, the residential side of the project is also growing.

Updated plans went before a panel of state agencies for review, giving a closer look at how the project has changed since earlier versions. 

Housing Plans Have Increased

Earlier plans for Ocean One included about 280 housing units. 

The updated version reviewed by state agencies on March 4th now shows up to 500 residential units.

Those homes would include condos and multifamily housing. 

A portion would also be set aside as workforce housing, which adds another important piece to the proposal as Sussex County continues to discuss housing access, affordability, and growth near the beaches.

Ocean One was already being discussed as a major commercial destination, but the larger residential component makes the plan more connected to year-round living in the Milton area, not just shopping and visitor traffic.

The Commercial Plans Remain Significant

The retail side of Ocean One continues to be a major part of the proposal. 

Plans call for more than 500,000 square feet of shopping center space near Route 1 and Route 16.

According to the updated plans, the commercial portion includes a 150,000 square foot anchor store, a gas station, multiple retail spaces, six restaurants, and a hotel.

That combination suggests a development meant to serve several different types of visitors: 

• Local residents could use it for everyday shopping and dining. 
• Travelers heading toward the beaches could use it as a stop along Route 1. 
• Future residents living within the project could also have retail and restaurant options close by.

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Why The Site Is Getting Attention

Ocean One is proposed for a large field in Milton near the Route 16 overpass. 

This location matters because Route 1 is one of the busiest corridors in Coastal Delaware, especially during beach season, while Route 16 connects inland areas with the coast.

The site is also designated as a “developing area” in the Sussex County Comprehensive Plan, which helps guide land use and growth decisions in the county. 

That does not mean every detail is automatically approved, but it does place the property in an area already identified for future development.

In the previous version of the project, Ocean One was described as a 116-acre development at Broadkill Road and Coastal Highway. 

The project has been presented as a regional destination with retail anchors, restaurants, hotel space, and housing. 

Infrastructure Is A Key Concern

As with many major projects in Sussex County, infrastructure is one of the main concerns surrounding Ocean One.

According to CoastTV, Milton resident Lewis Means said, “The infrastructure has got to be taken care of. We’re probably 20 years behind.”

That concern is familiar across Coastal Delaware, where residents often question whether roads, traffic patterns, utilities, and public services are keeping up with development. 

Ocean One’s location near the Route 16 overpass could help with access, but the number of proposed homes and the size of the commercial area will likely keep infrastructure at the center of the discussion.

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What To Watch Next

Ocean One is one of the Milton area projects worth watching, and added residential units make it more than a commercial proposal. 

They also raise new questions about how this part of Milton could grow, how much demand the development could create, and what improvements may be needed as the plan moves forward.

A representative for the development said during the PLUS meeting that the project remains in its early stages and could change as it moves through the approval process.

For more background on the original proposal, check out our previous post about Ocean One.

And don’t forget to keep following the blog for more updates on major developments, local growth, and the projects shaping Coastal Delaware.

Have any questions about our blog(s), the Coastal Delaware real estate market, or local life in our beautiful beach towns? Do you think there is something we should write about? Did you see an event coming up that we should know about? Shoot us an email at [email protected] or give us a call at (302) 212-0074. We would love to hear from you!

Sources: Ocean One Brochure, State Comment Letter, CoastTV