Explore River Landing and Beyond

A closer look at River Landing, Wallace, and the surrounding area for those considering making this part of southeastern North Carolina home.

THE BIG PICTURE

River Landing Within Wallace

River Landing is a gated residential and golf community located just outside the center of Wallace, North Carolina. While the community has its own distinct setting, amenities, and neighborhoods, living here also means being connected to the surrounding town and the broader southeastern North Carolina region.

Inside the gates, River Landing offers an established residential community shaped by two golf courses, lakes and ponds, wooded areas, and a wide range of homes and homesites. Outside the gates, Wallace remains a small town, but one that is seeing new investment and development that could continue to change what living in the area looks like over time.

Understanding both sides of that picture is an important part of deciding whether River Landing is the right fit.

BEYOND THE GATES

Wallace, NC

Wallace is a small eastern North Carolina town with a traditional downtown, locally owned businesses, everyday shopping and services, and convenient access to I-40. It offers a much different setting from the larger coastal communities closer to Wilmington.

For buyers considering River Landing, that distinction is worth understanding. Wallace does not offer the same depth of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment found in a larger city, but those amenities are not necessarily the reason people choose to live here. The appeal is a quieter setting with everyday conveniences nearby and access to larger destinations when needed.

What makes Wallace particularly worth watching today is that the area is beginning to change. New investment, development, and infrastructure improvements are gradually adding to what is available outside the gates of River Landing.

Photo: River Landing

A TOWN IN TRANSITION

What's Changing in Wallace

Wallace is still a small town, but there are signs of change. The town has adopted a long-term economic development strategy focused on downtown revitalization, new business, infrastructure, and purposeful growth, while public and private investment continues to shape what comes next.

River Landing offers multiple membership options, allowing residents to choose the level of club access that best fits how they plan to enjoy the community. From dining and social activities to recreation and championship golf, each membership provides a different combination of amenities and privileges.

Downtown Investment

Wallace has made revitalizing its historic downtown a central part of its economic development strategy, with a goal of increasing building occupancy, supporting local businesses, and expanding activity in the town center. The town also offers redevelopment incentives for eligible commercial properties downtown and along the Highway 117 corridor.

Infrastructure for Growth

Wallace is also investing in the infrastructure needed to support future growth. The town's capital improvement planning includes significant water, sewer, and general infrastructure projects extending over multiple fiscal years.

Planning for What Comes Next

Rather than growth being something happening without a plan, Wallace adopted an economic development strategy in 2025 outlining specific goals for downtown, community investment, business development, and future growth. The plan is intended to evolve as projects and opportunities move forward.

Growth is a process, not a promise. Some projects and initiatives discussed by local governments and developers may change, be delayed, or never move forward. This page is intended to provide context on current efforts rather than predict what Wallace will become.

Membership options, initiation fees, dues, minimums, and amenity access are subject to change. Contact River Landing directly to confirm current membership information.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

What's Happening Now

Growth around Wallace is taking several forms, from new development and infrastructure investment to changes within River Landing itself. While some projects are further along than others, together they provide a clearer picture of where investment is taking place and how the area is evolving.

RESIDENTIAL GROWTH

More Than 1,000 Homes Planned

Wallace is preparing for a significant increase in residential development, with more than 1,000 new housing units planned or already under development in and around the town. Projects range from smaller single-family neighborhoods to larger developments that include apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes.

Among the larger projects are Crossroads, planned for 208 homes, and Bryant Farm, which has been approved for 276 apartments, 221 townhomes, and 254 single-family homes. Additional development is also being considered near I-40 in neighboring Pender County.

The scale of that growth is meaningful for Wallace. It brings the potential for a larger customer base, additional services and continued investment, while also creating new demands on schools, roads, utilities and other infrastructure.

COMMERCIAL GROWTH

More Everyday Options Are Coming

As Wallace grows, new businesses are beginning to add to the shopping, dining, and services available around town. Recent development has included names such as Dunkin’, Royal Farms, Wawa, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, and Waffle House, with projects at different stages of planning, construction, or opening.

For River Landing residents, the significance is fairly simple: more everyday options are beginning to develop closer to home. Wallace will remain a much smaller market than Wilmington, but continued commercial growth could gradually add more of the conveniences buyers may be accustomed to having nearby.

Photo: Indy beetle / Wikimedia Commons

Photo: formulanone / Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 2.0

REGIONAL ACCESS

Connected to the Region

Wallace’s location along I-40 provides direct access toward Wilmington and the coast to the south and the Triangle to the north. For River Landing residents, that means living in a smaller community without being completely disconnected from the larger employment centers, airports, healthcare, shopping, and entertainment found elsewhere in southeastern and central North Carolina.

The location also puts several coastal destinations within reach, making day trips to Wilmington and the beaches practical while maintaining the quieter setting that comes with living farther inland.

WITHIN REACH

Well Positioned in Eastern North Carolina

Wallace’s location along I-40 provides convenient access to Wilmington, the coast, and Raleigh, giving River Landing residents access to larger cities and destinations while maintaining a quieter small-town setting.