Ask people around Leland where the area’s growth started, and many of them will point to the same place: the big wooded entrance off U.S. 17 with the town center out front. Brunswick Forest has become one of the best-known master-planned communities in the Cape Fear region, and it’s still adding new neighborhoods. If you’re relocating, downsizing, or just comparing communities on the Brunswick side of the river, this guide covers what life there looks like, what’s new this fall, and what to check before you write an offer.
Brunswick Forest at a Glance
According to the community’s own overview, Brunswick Forest covers about 4,500 acres in Leland, laid out around woods, lakes, and natural areas, with neighborhoods connected by sidewalks and trails. The community map lists more than 100 miles of walking, biking, and nature trails, and it shows a mix of home styles, from low-maintenance all-brick single-level townhomes and coastal villas to traditional and custom single-family homes.
Because the community is built in phases, older sections have mature landscaping, while the newest ones are still active construction zones with builders’ models and open homesites.
Amenities and Daily Life
Amenities are the main reason many buyers start here. The developer’s amenities page and community map list:
- Three pools, including the Fitness and Wellness Center, a lakeside pool with a splash pad at Hammock Lake, and the Reflections amenity center
- Hammock Lake Park, with a white-sand beach area and walking trails
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- Cape Fear National, the community’s golf course
- Kayak and canoe access, including a launch on Town Creek for paddling and fishing
- Parks such as Meadow Park (a dog park), Annsdale Park, and Walden Park
Resident clubs are a big part of the social side, which helps newcomers meet neighbors quickly.
The Villages town center
At the front of the community, The Villages is a commercial town center the developer describes as about 160 acres, anchored by a Lowes Foods with restaurants, shops, banking, and professional offices around it. Medical care is right there too: Novant Health New Hanover Primary Care – Brunswick Forest at 1333 S. Dickinson Drive shares its location with a Novant Health ExpressCare for walk-in care. For a lot of residents, that means groceries, a doctor’s visit, and dinner out without getting on U.S. 17.
What’s New This Fall
Brunswick Forest is not finished, and that matters whether you’re buying new or resale.
- A new neighborhood is pre-selling. In a June 1, 2026 announcement, the community said its newest neighborhood, Ibis Roost, has 124 homesites with homes from its builder team.
- More infrastructure is on the way. On June 18, 2026, Leland Town Council approved Resolution R-26-039, a performance guarantee for required improvements in Brunswick Forest Phase 8, Section 2B. The resolution names Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group as the subdivider and backs the work with a surety bond of about $1.18 million, which is 1.25 times the engineer’s estimated cost.
- Parade of Homes results. In a Nov. 2, 2026 recap, Brunswick Forest said several of its builder models were featured in the 2026 Brunswick County Parade of Homes, held over two October weekends, with award-winning homes from Liberty Homes and Stanley Martin Homes.
For buyers, ongoing building means choice: you can pick a homesite and floor plan, or buy a resale home in a finished section. It also means construction traffic and new rooftops nearby for a while yet, so ask what’s planned around any lot you’re considering.
Location and Commute
Brunswick Forest sits inside the Town of Leland along the U.S. 17 corridor, a short drive west of downtown Wilmington. Most commuters cross the Cape Fear River on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge or the Isabel Holmes Bridge, so it’s worth following the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement plans if you’ll make that drive every day. Oak Island, Holden Beach, and Southport are all within day-trip range.
What Buyers Should Check Before Writing an Offer
HOA dues, rules, and amenity access
Like most master-planned communities, Brunswick Forest has owners’ association dues and covenants, and some neighborhoods inside it have their own sub-association with additional fees. Get the current dues, any transfer or capital contribution fees due at closing, and the governing documents early in your due diligence period, and read the rules on things like fences, rentals, and exterior changes. If golf membership interests you, confirm separately how Cape Fear National membership works, since golf is often priced apart from general amenity access.
Taxes
Because Brunswick Forest is within Leland’s town limits, owners pay both Brunswick County and Town of Leland property taxes. Leland’s next revaluation cycle is worth understanding before you buy; we covered it in our guide to Leland property taxes and the 2027 revaluation.
Flood zones and insurance
Much of Brunswick Forest is wooded upland, but the community also has lakes, wetlands, and frontage near Town Creek, so flood risk varies lot by lot. Check each property on the FEMA flood map, ask whether there’s an elevation certificate, and get homeowners and flood insurance quotes before your due diligence ends.
Schools
School assignments in Brunswick County are set by address and can change as the district grows. Verify assignments directly with Brunswick County Schools rather than relying on a listing. Our guide to how Brunswick County school assignments work walks through how to check.
New construction versus resale
If you’re building, compare builders’ standard features, warranties, and timelines, and bring your own agent before your first model visit. Our guide to buying new construction in Leland covers the contract and inspection steps that trip buyers up most.
FAQ
How big is Brunswick Forest?
The community describes itself as about 4,500 acres in Leland, with more than 100 miles of trails.
Is Brunswick Forest inside the Town of Leland?
Yes. It’s within Leland town limits, so owners pay town and county property taxes.
Are new homes still being built?
Yes. The community began pre-selling its Ibis Roost neighborhood in 2026, and the town approved improvement guarantees for additional phases this year.
Is there medical care nearby?
Yes. Novant Health New Hanover Primary Care and ExpressCare share a location in The Villages at 1333 S. Dickinson Drive.
Thinking About Brunswick Forest?
Whether you’re comparing resale homes in established sections or picking a homesite in a new neighborhood, local guidance makes the process easier. Contact Aspyre Collective to talk through neighborhoods, HOA details, and what’s coming next in Leland.
