South Carolina isn’t known for her white Christmases, and snowball fights come once in a blue moon. But this December, the Lowcountry can experience a chilly holiday tradition regardless of the temperature with outdoor ice skating at Skate the Stadium.

Skate The Stadium is a new custom-built rink for ice skating at Credit One Stadium in partnership with the Daniel Island Community Fund. Visitors are invited to celebrate the season with skating, cozy fire pits, seasonal concessions and special holiday events.

Outdoor ice skating is hard to come by in the Lowcountry. Ice skaters can get their fix at the Carolina Ice Palace in North Charleston, but the President of Charleston Tennis at Credit One, Bob Moran, wanted to bring the fun outside.

“This just came out of, quite honestly, a brainstorm that we had, thinking about if there’s a possibility of a rink that we could have during the holidays. Lo and behold, we figured out how to do it,” Moran said. “It’s not a true ice rink, but it’s called ‘Glice,’ a synthetic rink, that is absolutely gorgeous out there right now.”

Moran said that the rink is big enough to accommodate 80 skaters at a time. Though not technically real ice — Glice, as it’s called — is made from high-density plastic. The rink is sprayed with lubricants to allow for a smooth glide. Using Glice removes the hassle of keeping a skating rink frozen. There’s less water and energy involved and there’s no need to worry about ice turning to slush when there’s an unseasonably warm day.

Moran said that the Daniel Island Community Fund and Credit One wanted a way to bring special moments to families and create a holiday atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

“I really believe we’re going to see tons of kids out there and families out there. That was actually very evident. I think we’re over 2,000 reservations within 48 hours or so. The community definitely is excited about it,” Moran said.

The skating rink will open on Dec. 2, and be open Thursday through Sunday until Dec. 30. Tickets are $10 per person, which includes the skate rental and a one-hour skating session. Non-skaters may enter for free and special assistive devices will be on hand for those who need them. Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Credit One Stadium is a drop-off site for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Visitors that bring a toy to donate will receive $2 off a skating session. To make a reservation at the rink, visit www.creditonestadium.com/skate-the-stadium/

Holiday festivities and special themed nights, like a 90s Glow Night and Ladies’ Night, are scheduled throughout December, starting with a tree lighting on Dec. 2. A full list of events is as follows:

Daniel Island Tree Lighting Ceremony: Dec. 2; Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. Enjoy musical performances from Charleston Concert Band, carolers singing and activities for the children then watch the holiday magic of a 22-foot tree lighting.

Holiday Carolers Thursdays: Dec. 8, 25 and 22; 5:30-6 p.m. Catch the holiday spirit with vocal performances from local high school choral groups.

Ladies Night/Bubbles on Ice: Dec. 8; 7-10 p.m. Nibble on hors d’oeuvres and sip on bubbles from Moet. Browse some curated holiday selection from local vendors. This is a ticketed event, $35 per person and includes food plus a cash bar.

90s Glow Night: Dec. 10; 7-10 p.m. Skate to your favorite songs of the 90s and sport your best glow gear.

Jazz Night & Bourbon Tasting: Dec. 15, 7-10 p.m. Sample all-you-can-eat oysters on the half shell and bourbon tasting with entertainment by Grammy award-winning Charlton Singleton & The Contemporary Flow Band.

Visit with Santa: Dec. 18; 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Stop by for a visit with Santa the last weekend before Christmas.

DANIEL ISLAND — Something happened to me that’s only happened to me at one concert ever before in my life. I cried.

For just a moment, but it happened.

That is what Elton John did to me during his sold-out show at Credit One Stadium on the night of Sept. 13.

It’s weird, because I just saw him in Columbia a few months ago for the first time, which was its own whirlwind emotional experience. But this one actually brought me to tears, a phenomenon I also endured my first time seeing Paul McCartney in Nashville.

Perhaps it’s because I was in middle-of-the-floor seats just 13 rows away from Sir Elton himself, a much closer view than the bird’s eye second-tier chair I had at the Colonial Life Arena.

Or perhaps it was the palpable united energy of the boa-and-sparkle-laden crowd swaying in sync to “Bennie and the Jets.”

Or the projected sentimental videos and old family photographs on the screen that reminded me of my grandparents when they were alive.

Or the fact I went to this show with my mom, who was an integral piece of me growing up on the soundtracks of stars like Elton John, Stevie Nicks and ABBA.

Whatever it was, it was clearly warranted, because I wasn’t the only wet eye in the house.

Elton John, with only a few more months of shows left to play in the United States on his farewell tour, was waving goodbye to first-time fans and hundredth-time fans alike. This was his last show in South Carolina, a state he said he’s played 57 times during his career.

The first time he remembers playing in Charleston is in 1997 at the North Charleston Coliseum. And though the songs he performed then may have been similar — all the hits from “Your Song” to “Rocket Man” to “Candle in the Wind” to “Tiny Dancer” to “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” to “Philadelphia Freedom” to “Crocodile Rock” (need I go on?) — there was a decidedly different mood in the air.

Certainly there was the positive, upbeat energy of his recent hits, like No. 1 single “Cold Heart” with Dua Lipa, one of many ways he has stayed relevant over the decades. (He even gave a nod to his upcoming release with Britney Spears.)

But there was such a bittersweet twinkle in his eye behind his iconic rhinestone sunglasses. (He changed pairs, along with his wardrobe three times during the show.)

When he closed with “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” he added some sentimental thoughts that, though he’s likely said them more than 200 times on this amazingly long tour, still seemed genuine.

“I take you with me in my heart and soul,” he said in his heart-shaped sunglasses and bedazzled blazer. “Be kind to yourselves, and be kind to others.”

At 75 years old and with a whole lifetime of experiences behind him, those words must’ve hit differently. He clearly will miss sharing his gift with the world (his fingers on those piano keys moved in muscle memory like the echo of a dream), but he said it’s time to spend the rest of his days off the road with his own loved ones, his husband and children.

“Thank you Charleston, and goodbye,” Sir Elton said before he gave a final turn from his Yamaha grand and waltzed offstage, his name glistening in silver rhinestones on the back of his floor-length robe.

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A 50-unit townhouse development is being proposed on part of the site of the former Blackbaud soccer stadium on Daniel Island.

Blaze Capital I LLC of Charleston wants to build the three-story Nowell Creek Village Townhomes in 12 buildings on a 58-acre tract on Inlet Avenue, according to site plans.

The Cottages at Ingleside will feature 260, build-to-rent units in the development off of U.S. Highway 78 and Interstate 26.

12: Number of tenants signed up in the fully leased Publix-anchored Moncks Corner Marketplace before it opens.

1,200: Square footage of new cigar shop in Village Pointe Shopping Center in Mount Pleasant.

28,200: Square footage of the freshly opened Buy Buy Baby store in North Rivers Towne Center on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston.

+ On the homefront: The median price of a house in the Charleston area in July stood at almost $400,000, but where in the growing region can someone find a home for that amount of money? Click here to find out.

+ Inching forward: A divided Charleston County Council is slowly moving ahead with plans to develop affordable housing in a rapidly gentrifying part of the Charleston peninsula on a property that could be worth $30 million if it were sold.

+ Reconnecting: Officials are discussing a plan to stitch Union Heights back together with affordable housing decades after Interstate 26 split the North Charleston neighborhood.

A new 122-unit apartment project is slated to be built at 29-35 George St., where a parking lot now exists behind a block of King Street businesses. Behind the proposed apartments, a new 50-room hotel and 22 condominium units are planned off of Society Street.

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This week there are a large number of multifamily and large residential developments coming before the various City of Charleston boards and committees. Below are those items as well as the application results for specific items to Daniel Island and the Cainhoy area. More detailed agendas and results can be found at charleston-sc.gov/agendacenter.

UPCOMING

CITY OF CHARLESTON TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Jan. 12: A site plan for Hawthorne at Clements Ferry Road, a 210-unit multifamily development on 11 acres at 2800 Clements Ferry Rd.

A preliminary subdivision plat and road construction plans for Del Webb Entrance Road, a new public road on 11 acres on Clements Ferry Road.

RESULTS

CITY OF CHARLESTON BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS – SITE DESIGN

Jan. 4: Request a variance to allow the removal of one grand tree at 15 Surr St. on Daniel Island. Results: Pending.

CITY OF CHARLESTON TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Jan. 5: A site plan for Woodfield Daniel Island 3, a 163-unit multifamily development on 6 acres at 2058 Benefitfocus Way. Results: Pending final documentation to Zoning, T&T and MS4. Once approved, submit Site Plan to Zoning for stamping.

CITY OF CHARLESTON CITY COUNCIL

Jan. 10: An ordinance to rezone 10.32 acres at 638 Tuxbury Farm Road and two adjacent parcels on Tuxbury Farm Road in Cainhoy to single-family residential zoning. The property is owned by Ray and Angela Waits. Results: Pending.

An ordinance to rezone 5.71 acres at 715 Yaupon Drive & 2682 Highway 41 in Cainhoy to diverse residential zoning. The property is owned by Rumphs Auto Service et al. Results: Pending.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY & COUNTY MEETINGS

Berkeley Co. Bd. of Education meets twice each month. Executive Committee meets at 5:30 p.m.; meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

Berkeley Co. Council meets fourth Mon. of each month, 6 p.m., Berkeley County Admin. Blg., 1003 Hwy 52, Moncks Corner.

City of Charleston Council typically meets the second and fourth Tues. of each month, 5 p.m., City Hall, 80 Broad Street, Charleston, SC and/or virtually via Conference Call #1-929-205-6099; Access Code: 912 096 416. Exceptions: Summer Schedule - 3rd Tues. of June, July, and August; December meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tues. Dates and locations subject to change.

City of Charleston Technical Review Committee meets every Thurs. at 9 a.m.via Zoom.

City of Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals – Site Design meets the 1st Wed. of each month at 5 p.m. via Zoom.

City of Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals – Zoning meets the 1st and 3rd Tues. of each month at 5:15 p.m., except for January and July when no meeting is held on the 1st Tues.

City of Charleston Design Review Board meets the 1st and 3rd Mon. of every month at 4:30 p.m.

City of Charleston Planning Commission meets the 3rd Wed. of every month at 5 p.m.

City of Charleston Board of Architectural Review – Large projects meets the 2nd and 4th Wed. of every month at 4:30 p.m.

City of Charleston Board of Architectural Review – Small projects meets the 2nd and 4th Thurs. of every month at 4:30 p.m.

All meetings are open for public comment except the City of Charleston Technical Review Committee meetings.

For more information, contacts for specific projects and on location and time of the meetings or to learn more, visit charleston-sc.gov/AgendaCenter/.

A $20-million-plus lodging with a restaurant, event space and guest cottages is being proposed for Daniel Island.

The city of Charleston’s Design Review Board recently signed off on plans for a 38-unit hotel at 1995 Daniel Island Drive near the planned 320-unit Nowell Creek Village Apartments.

The site is across from the former Blackbaud headquarters building, which is now a multitenant office structure called Marshside. The board suggested a few aesthetic revisions, but otherwise unanimously voted for the hotel project.

A small office structure currently occupies the site and can be moved to make way for the new project once it clears other approvals from the city.

JT Industries LLC, an affiliate of developer King and Society Real Estate of Charleston, bought the 1.5-acre parcel near Beresford Creek in 2019 for $1.25 million, according to Berkeley County land records.

“We have a unique and interesting waterfront property on Daniel Island and have been working to find the best use and need for this location,” said King and Society founder and CEO Troy Barber.

He estimated construction will take about 14 months after permits and other approvals are received and hopes the project will be completed in 2024.

Barber said a firm price had not been set on the hotel, but he believes the project will be more than $20 million.

The main 11,200-square-foot building will house guest rooms, restaurant and event space in three floors over parking. The proposal includes four guest houses of 8,500 square feet each, two 866-square-foot cottages, two 592-square-foot cabanas and 50 parking spaces.

The site plan shows the venue as a likely wedding venue, with separate suites for the bride and groom, a ballroom and an outdoor ceremony site overlooking Beresford Creek. Barber said it could also be used for corporate functions.

King and Society will be the developer and handle construction as well, Barber said.

Top sellers

At the mid-year point, South Carolina is home to three of the top-selling 50 master-planned communities in the U.S., even as sales slow from last year.

RCLCO Real Estate Consulting ranked Cane Bay Plantation in Berkeley County at No. 5 with 525 sales during the first six months of 2022. That’s down 9 percent from last year’s midpoint.

Nexton, also in Berkeley, came in at No. 22 with 308 sales, down 5 percent from the first six months of last year.

Latitude Margaritaville in Hardeeville near Hilton Head Island ranked No. 39 with 234 sales, down 29 percent from last year from January through June.

The top-selling, master-planned community continues to be The Villages, between Ocala and Orlando, Fla. It had about 1,500 sales, down 25 percent from last year at the midpoint.

Almost all of the top 50 are in the southern tier of states. Texas posted the most with 20, Florida landed 15, Nevada had four, California and Arizona saw three each, and Utah and Washington state notched one each.

Total new home sales among the 50 top-selling master-planned communities declined by 18 percent in the first half of 2022 compared to the same time period last year, according to RCLCO.

“Supply chain issues and inadequate new home inventory have continued to pose problems for developers, as price increases and interest rate hikes have begun to impact traffic from potential buyers in recent months,” RCLCO said in its mid-year report.

Nationally, the average price among all new single-family homes is up 15 percent since mid-2021.

“The results of this updated mid-year report confirm that supply chain disruptions continue to have an impact on the ability of master-planned communities to meet new home demand, though climbing interest rates and price appreciation have begun to have an impact on that demand, at least in the near-term,” said RCLCO principal Karl Pischke.

“However, it is important not to overreact to the slowing of sales seen over the last year, as these are still short-term trends,” he said.

“The long-term future of the for-sale housing industry, as evidenced by favorable demographic tailwinds, is strong,” Pischke said. “And the future of master-planned communities, particularly in their ability to capture an outsized share of buyer demand during uncertain or difficult economic times, provides another reason for optimism.”