Hartness welcomes Joseph Barnes as Director of Development

Acclaimed Design and Development Professional Brings Global Expertise to Uphold Hartness Vision and Advance Future Opportunities

Hartness has announced the appointment of Joseph Barnes as Director of Development, bringing more than three decades of international experience in architecture, master planning, and large-scale real estate projects to the award-winning Greenville community.

In this new role, Barnes will provide strategic leadership, design stewardship, and operational discipline across all facets of Hartness. His focus will center on advancing operational excellence, strengthening builder and product delivery systems, and positioning Hartness for long-term, design-led growth beyond its current master-planned community.

“Joe’s expertise bridges the creative and the operational,” said Sean Hartness, CEO of Hartness Development. “His experience leading some of the world’s most ambitious projects, paired with his deep appreciation for timeless community design, will help us continue to elevate the Hartness experience while preparing for thoughtful growth in the years ahead.”

A licensed architect with an MBA, Barnes has shaped globally significant destinations including NEOM’s Trojena in Saudi Arabia, where he served as Director of Development Management – Asset Design; Qiddiya, Riyadh’s new cultural and entertainment city; and acclaimed U.S. communities such as Disney’s Celebration, I’On in Mount Pleasant, and East Beach in Norfolk. Across these projects, Barnes has become known for integrating visionary design with business strategy to create sustainable, high-quality places that generate lasting social and economic value.
At Hartness, he will oversee the continued evolution of the 482-acre Traditional Neighborhood Development, home to Hotel Hartness, Spa H, Patterson Kitchen + Bar, and an expanding collection of residences and retail offerings, ensuring that each new phase reflects the community’s enduring commitment to authenticity, craftsmanship, and connection to place.

“Hartness has already established itself as a benchmark for traditional neighborhood design and community living,” said Barnes. “I’m honored to join a team that values both vision and execution, and I look forward to contributing to its next chapter of growth.”

For more information about Hartness, visit hartnessliving.com and follow @hartnessliving on Instagram and Facebook. The Hartness Discovery Center at 2000 Society Street, Suite 102, Greenville, SC 29615, welcomes visitors and can be reached at 864.920.0375 for inquiries and private tours.

About Hartness

Hartness is an award-winning 482-acre urban village offering residences and homesites, as well as opportunities for dining, shopping, entertainment, and office space, connected by lush pathways, green streets, and community gathering spaces. Adhering to the planning principles of New Urbanism and conceived as a Traditional Neighborhood Development, it also boasts unique amenities, including a resort pool complex, Grand Lawn, Sports Garden, Hartness Farm, 10 miles of outdoor trails throughout the development’s 180 preserved acres, a fitness center, and many sparkling lakes and ponds. Additional amenities will include a clubhouse and racquet sports. The Village Center at Hartness, open to residents and the public alike, is currently home to The One5 at Hartness restaurant. Located within the community is Hotel Hartness, which offers 73 guest rooms, an executive conference center, waterside dining, and a luxury spa. Hartness is located on South Highway 14 between Pelham and Woodruff roads – conveniently located on Greenville’s urban edge adjacent to the I-85 corridor, ten miles from downtown and five miles from GSP Airport. For more information on Hartness, visit www.hartnessliving.com.