Editor's Note: This version has been changed to correct the size of the Novant Health facility.

After securing an anchor tenant and renaming the project, developers are proceeding with plans for a new mixed-use development in Brunswick County.

The partners involved in creating Pine Forest Plantation have submitted plans to the town of Oak Island for the community's first construction project, a primary care Novant Health medical office building, according to a news release Wednesday.

Previously called The Charles when it was first announced in 2014, Pine Forest Plantation is expected to also include commercial and residential phases on a 2,114-acre site at the intersection of Midway Road and N.C. 211.

The owners of the land, Tommy Sofield and Robert Gurkin of Equity Investment Associates, are working with Davis Moore Capital and Legacy Community Partners on the 10,000-square-foot Novant Health facility, Wednesday’s announcement said.

Developers envision the Novant building to represent the first of many medical service providers in a planned 50-acre health and wellness medical campus, according to the news release.

“That was our goal from the get-go, to land a really good anchor tenant,” said Chris Maynor of Legacy Community Partners, referring to Novant on Thursday.

Novant Health's main hospital facility in Brunswick County, Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, is on U.S. 17. The company, which operates in four states, describes itself as an "integrated system of physician practices, hospitals, outpatient centers and more."

For Pine Forest Plantation, the new medical building is also considered a first step toward a phased development that will offer a variety of housing types in a progressive care retirement community that is planned, in addition to health care, to include shopping, dining and recreation options, the release said.

“The alliance [with Novant] paves the way for access to needed wellness services and opens the door to other complimentary medical service providers, commercial interests, and those seeking residential homes in the near future,” Maynor said in the release.

He said Thursday that conceptual plans for Pine Forest Plantation, including as many as 2,250 dwellings, are the same as they were when the community was first announced.   

“The only thing that’s changed is the name of the community,” Maynor said.

Developers anticipate breaking ground on the medical building this spring, with expectations that it will be operational in late 2017, according to Austin Koon of Davis Moore Capital.

For large planned communities like Pine Forest Plantation, close access to medical facilities is considered an amenity and a draw for potential residents. 

"Pine Forest Plantation will be a well-rounded addition to the Oak Island community, and it is expected to attract residents of all ages. Quality health care, parks, walking trails, and lakes will create unique and attractive neighborhoods with future amenities including a town square with shopping, dining and entertainment - all within walking distance to many residential homes and condos . . .," said Sofield in the release.

Early reservations and pre-sales for single family residential lots and other housing are expected to begin later this year, Maynor said. He also said the developers expect the Novant Health medical office to be successful with the existing population in the growing area, even before the first new residents move into homes in Pine Forest Plantation.