Construction underway on affordable apartment complex in Bluffton, backed by hospital. Here’s why

Beaufort Memorial and Woda Cooper Development Inc. broke ground on an affordable apartment complex in Bluffton intended for the hospital’s employees on June 11.

It will be called LiveWell Terrace. Beaufort Memorial is expanding its system of healthcare facilities into the Bluffton area. The apartment is the latest Bluffton project for the not-for-profit hospital.

The hospital enlisted workforce housing firm Woda Cooper to build and manage the apartment. The company has developed housing in 19 states, according to its website.

Why build the apartments?

The apartment building allows Beaufort Memorial’s employees to live affordably in the community they serve, according to a press release from Beaufort Memorial. Beaufort Memorial President Russell Baxley said the apartment aligns with the hospital’s mission statement.

“Part of our mission is to improve the quality of life in the Lowcountry,” Baxley said. “And that is outside the four walls of the hospital, it’s for our employees, but it’s also for the people that use our hospital.”

Beaufort Memorial purchased the land from Lord of Life Lutheran Church with the help of Beaufort County. Beaufort County Vice Chair Anna Tabernik and Bluffton Mayor Pro-Tempore Fred Hamilton both spoke at the groundbreaking in support. Tabernik said the apartment project aligns with the county’s affordable housing goals.

“Our county motto, as you’ve heard, is, ‘Live, work, play,’” Tabernik said. “We say it all the time. If you can’t live where you work and you can’t enjoy where you live, what is our quality of life?”

Woda Cooper President David Cooper, Jr. said the apartments will be a place residents can live long-term. It will be built to last for decades, he said.

What will it offer?

LiveWell Terrace will feature 120 units for one, two and three occupants, according to the press release. It’s located on Buckwalter Parkway, about a mile from Beaufort Memorial’s under-construction Bluffton Community Hospital at 333 and 335 Buckwalter Parkway. Beaufort Memorial Media Relations Manager Emma June Grosskopf said LiveWell Terrace is planned to open to residents in spring 2027.

Rent will be 40 to 80% of the local median income, Senior Vice President of Development for Woda Cooper, Tommy Lowmon said. That translates to a range of $690 to $1725 in rent per month. Construction will cost $27.4 million, he said.

Beaufort Memorial’s employees will have first access to the apartments before leasing opens to the public. LiveWell Terrace will have a gym, playground and community park. Renderings of the apartment show units with porches. It will also have medical office space for primary care services. Woda Cooper will handle construction and management of the apartment complex.

The go-ahead for construction was ordered about two weeks ago, Cooper said, and crews have already cleared trees from the land. Woda Cooper developed and manages housing for about 35,000 people, he said.

“It’s really, really important that we maintain a strong community, a good living environment, and that we think for the very long term,” Cooper said.