John L Knott Jr.
Founder and President of CityCraft Ventures
While many people are struck by the atypical approach John L. Knott Jr. brings to his urban renewal projects, his approach is actually a return to the values of his family’s business with over 100 years in historic preservation and urban development. This commitment to the principles of Master Building focuses on integrated, multi-disciplinary design to contribute to the long-term health of a community.
John’s career has included creating new residential developments and green office complexes as well as advising the White House and Department of Homeland Security on energy security and sustainability. Under John’s leadership, his team oversaw the creation of the 1,400-acre sustainable development of Dewees Island in South Carolina (which won the Urban Land Institute’s Award of Excellence) and the revitalization and master planning of the once blighted historic core of the City of North Charleston (which won the American Society of Landscape Architect’s Award of Excellence).
Unlike traditional developers, John’s approach focuses on identifying resources already in the community and capitalizing on these strengths to empower community improvement. His visionary partnerships at the community level have led him to be named an Environmental Champion, Thought Leader and a Leading Design Visionary by industry publications.
Skills
- Identifying and integrating community resources
- Assembling sustainable capital funding and investment, particularly from within the community
- Sustainable land development
- Creating master plans
Leadership and Recognition
- CEO/Managing Director of Island Preservation Partnership, which developed an award-winning sustainable oceanfront community on Dewees Island, South Carolina
- President/CEO of the Noisette Company, which oversaw the redevelopment of 3,000 acres in North Charleston, South Carolina
- Member of the Urban Land Institute Sustainable Development Council and Responsible Property Development Council including the Program Committee Leader for Sustainability
- Chairman of the Transportation Advisory Board for Charleston County, involving the development of a 25-year multi-modal, $1.1 billion transportation strategy
- Executive Director for the Health Product Declaration Collaborative, a customer-led standards-setting organization for the improvement of the building industry’s environmental and healthy performance
- US Green Building Council’s Chapter Leadership Award
- State of South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award
