If you've been paying attention to what's going on around Milton, you may have noticed that a new community is starting to grow very quickly.
The Granary is more than just another place to live.
It is one of the biggest planned communities ever built in Delaware, and it is built around something you don't always see in new construction: living on purpose, being able to walk around, and having real connections between people, nature, and everyday life.
Image: The Granary
A Large-Scale Vision Rooted in Milton’s History
The Granary is a planned community with 450 acres of land that is only about a mile from downtown Milton.
When it's done, it will have about 1,350 homes and 60,000 square feet of commercial space, making it one of the biggest projects in the area.
His family has been connected to the land for a long time, and Draper Farms has been a part of their history for about 80 years.
The property itself is connected to Milton's agricultural past, such as its part in the area's once-thriving canning industry.
Cox isn't new to Milton either. He also built Cannery Village, a mixed-use neighborhood that is now home to the Dogfish Head brewery.
The master-planned community idea came to Delaware through that project, and many of the ideas that worked there are now being improved and expanded at The Granary.
Image: The Granary
Amenities That Go Beyond the Standard Package
The Granary's planned amenities are one of the things that set it apart the most.
This community is being built with a much wider range of activities in mind than just the usual pool and clubhouse.
Planned and current amenities are:
- Clubhouse and swimming pools
- Fitness gym
- Pickleball courts
- Walking and biking trails
- Community gardens
- Parks and playgrounds
- Yoga and meditation spaces
- Amphitheater for events
- Farmers’ market pavilion
- Food truck park
- Craft park with food and beverage concepts
There are also larger-scale features being developed:
- Around 110 acres of preserved open space
- Roughly 55 acres of parks
- Additional public parkland and waterfront access
- A connected trail system linking Milton, the Broadkill River, and nearby ponds
One standout feature is a planned pedestrian and bike tunnel under Sandhill Road, which will safely connect residents to local trails and waterfront areas.
Image: The Granary
A Neighborhood Designed Around Human Connection
One of the most important things to know about The Granary is that it is not being marketed as a typical subdivision.
The whole idea is based on what the developer calls a "conscious community" model.
The idea is simple, but intentional:
- Encourage people to connect with nature
- Make it possible for neighbors to talk to each other
- Give people places to think about themselves and their health
Instead of focusing solely on homes, the plan prioritizes getting people outside, interacting with one another, and using shared spaces.
The community follows a “five-minute neighborhood” concept, meaning daily needs, gathering spaces, and amenities are all within easy walking distance.
A big part of getting people to interact with each other every day is making sure that every home is within two blocks of a green space or shared amenity.
What Life at The Granary Is Designed to Feel Like
From the community’s own vision, The Granary blends Coastal Delaware living with a countryside setting.
It is designed to feel like a natural extension of Milton rather than a separate development.
You will see that reflected in everyday experiences:
- Walking trails surrounded by native wildflowers
- Open spaces that span more than 110 acres
- Easy access to places like Wagamon’s Pond, the Broadkill River, and Delaware beaches
- Walkable access to coffee shops, restaurants, parks, and schools
The goal is to create a place where you can move between nature, home, and town without needing to rely on a car for everything.
Image: The Granary
Homes, Builders, and What Is Already Underway
Construction at The Granary has already begun, with phase one covering approximately 73.5 acres.
This first phase has a variety of housing options that are meant to appeal to a wide range of buyers.
The community is working with two major builders:
- D.R. Horton
- DRB Homes
There is also a limited collection of custom homes created by Convergence Communities.
Homes in the first phase are expected to range from approximately 1,400 to 3,700 square feet, with different layouts and styles, including townhomes and both single-story and two-story homes.
Current listings show starting prices around $400,000.
The design is very much in line with modern farmhouse style, with open layouts, functional living spaces, and a focus on comfort and everyday use.
A Mixed-Use Approach with Local-Focused Retail
The Granary is also adding a lot of mixed-use space, with plans for about 60,000 square feet of commercial space in the community.
The goal is to bring in smaller, neighborhood-oriented businesses that serve both residents and the larger Milton area, not big-box stores.
Some ideas that could work are:
- Places to get coffee
- Wellness studios
- Options for specialty groceries
- Boutique retail
- Food and beverage concepts
There are also plans for a brewery incubator and a shared taproom with microbreweries, which could become a big social center in the area.
Growth, Infrastructure, and Long-Term Planning
The Granary will take about 15 years to build and will be done in 10 phases.
As it grows, it could have a big effect on Milton, possibly doubling the town's population over time.
To help pay for infrastructure like roads, sewer systems, and amenities, the project is using a special development district model.
This approach spreads costs over time between the developer and future homeowners, allowing for more extensive amenities and earlier delivery of community features.
At the same time, the project is designed to integrate with Milton rather than operate separately.
The goal is to enhance the town’s existing character, culture, and sense of place, not replace it.
Image: The Granary
A Grand Opening That Showcased the Vision
On March 14th, the Granary had a big opening party to introduce itself to the public.
The event gave people their first real look at what the community wants to become, with:
- Model home tours from DRB Homes and D.R. Horton
- Live music by Maddox Gipko
- Food and drinks
- Activities like puppy yoga, e-bike demos, and a scavenger hunt
- Giveaways and interactive experiences
The team also held a ceremony to set intentions, which strengthened the idea of creating a community based on connections and shared experiences.
How to Stay Updated on The Granary
There will be a lot more to come from this project as construction continues and new phases are added.
If you want to keep up with updates, events, and new releases within the community, you can follow along here:
Image: The Granary
Why This Development Stands Out in Coastal Delaware
There is a lot of new construction going on in Sussex County, but The Granary is trying to grow in a different way.
Instead of just adding more homes, it is based on how people really live, interact, and experience a place every day.
Between its scale, its connection to Milton’s history, and its focus on walkability, nature, and community, this is a development that will likely shape the future of the area for years to come.
Keep following the blog if you want to stay up to date on big news like this, as well as local news, events, and everything else going on in 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!
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