East & Mason is a new-construction community in Wilmington’s Masonboro corridor, and it’s one we point a lot of buyers toward when they want something current without giving up location. Set in New Hanover County, the neighborhood brings together several respected builders — including Robuck Homes and Pulte Homes — across distinct residential collections, which gives it more range than the typical single-builder development. What draws people here is the combination buyers usually have to choose between: modern design and premium finishes on one hand, and a genuinely central address on the other.

The three collections — Villas on the Loop, Mason Walk, and Westport — each carry their own style and price point, so a buyer can stay within one neighborhood while still finding the scale and layout that fits. Shared amenities tie it together: a pool, a clubhouse, and a lake that anchors the common space and keeps the setting feeling like a real neighborhood rather than a subdivision. The Masonboro Loop Road location is the quiet advantage here, putting both the water and the city within a short drive.

Homes run from villa-style residences to larger single-family floor plans in the 2,700 to 3,400+ square-foot range. The builders here work with high-end finishes, open layouts, and energy-efficient construction, and the architecture leans coastal contemporary — clean lines, covered porches, and outdoor living spaces that are planned rather than tacked on. For buyers who care about how a home actually lives day to day, that attention shows.

As of early 2026, the median home price in East & Mason sits around $700K. The range is wide for a community this size: the Villas start in the low $500K range, while the larger Westport collection homes climb past $850K. That spread is part of the appeal — it lets the neighborhood serve right-sizers and growing families alike without either feeling out of place.

The price difference largely tracks the collections themselves. Villa-style residences offer lower-maintenance living at the entry point, the mid-tier plans give families more room to spread out, and the Westport homes deliver the most square footage and the most generous lots. Because this is new construction throughout, the build quality and finish level stay high across the board, and the mix of builders gives buyers more architectural range, and the community’s central position between beach and city tends to support values well over time.

The intimate scale matters too. With a defined set of collections and shared amenity spaces, neighbors actually cross paths — at the pool, at the clubhouse, around the lake. It’s the kind of place where you get to know the people a few doors down, which is harder to find in larger, more anonymous developments.

Part of living here is how easily downtown Wilmington’s dining scene comes into reach. A few of the places we send people first:

• Manna — award-winning fine dining on Princess Street in nearby downtown Wilmington with seasonal tasting menus
• The Basics — farm-to-fork Southern cuisine on Princess Street with locally sourced ingredients
• Caprice Bistro — French bistro on Front Street offering classic dishes and an extensive wine list
• Elijah’s Restaurant — waterfront dining on the Cape Fear River featuring fresh seafood and riverwalk views
• Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn — beloved local favorite known for creative burritos, quesadillas, and bold flavors

Between the neighborhood’s own amenities and that short hop into the city, the day-to-day here strikes a comfortable balance — quiet at home, plenty to do when you want it.

East & Mason is served by New Hanover County Schools. The schools families most often ask about for this area:

• Snipes Academy of Arts & Design — Niche grade B-plus, approximately 420 students with arts-integrated curriculum
• Williston Middle School — Niche grade B-plus, approximately 480 students in a convenient downtown location
• New Hanover High School — Niche grade A-minus, approximately 1,600 students and one of the oldest high schools in NC

Beyond the public assignments, the greater Wilmington area offers private and charter options as well, so families have room to find the right fit. We’re always glad to walk through the current attendance details for a specific address.

East & Mason sits along Masonboro Loop Road in New Hanover County, almost exactly between two of the places people most want to reach: downtown Wilmington is about 10 minutes west, and Wrightsville Beach is about 10 minutes east. That midpoint position is the whole pitch — you don’t have to trade beach access for city access here.

ILM airport is roughly 15 minutes away, which makes travel painless for anyone commuting or hosting family. From this stretch of New Hanover County you also get straightforward access to I-40, US-17, and the rest of the greater Wilmington area, so errands, work, and weekend plans all stay close at hand.