Affordable housing development coming to Greenville County

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Three developers are making an effort to add a 180-unit affordable housing apartment community in the Berea area of Greenville County.

The Sullivan development is currently leasing units, with the first group of residents slated to begin moving in around May 15, according to the news release.

Holly Douglas, a principal and spokesperson for the development team, said this is a challenging time to deliver a real estate project of any kind, as the current interest rate environment and post-Covid supply chain issues impact every project, and there are always significant financial considerations in such projects that have to be dealt with.

“But we’ve assembled a strong team and successfully navigated this dynamic building market,” she added. “For us, this is more than an apartment community. We have a passion and mission to address the critical need for high-quality, affordable housing that faces the entire Palmetto State and the Upstate in particular. This project is a critical step forward in that effort.”

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Development of The Sullivan is a combined effort of three Upstate organizations that specialize in multifamily affordable housing: Schaumber Development, Holliday Development and Douglas Development.

“That striking need – and a passion to do more as well as do good – is the genesis behind The Sullivan,” a news release stated.

Housing at The Sullivan, which will offer floor plans with 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom options, are reserved for households making below 60% of the area median income, which is approximately $51,000. Leaders in Greenville and Spartanburg counties each have estimated that their communities will need to provide more than 10,000 more units of affordable housing than exists currently and priced to be affordable to households earning up to 80% of the area median income, according to the release.

“Throughout our careers, we’ve embraced the basic idea that, no matter how much money you earn, having a quality home to raise a family in or host friends in is critical to one’s sense of self-worth and respect,” said Drew Schaumber, principal of Schaumber Development. “We take a lot of pride in the end product. We challenge ourselves to provide high quality construction, efficient appliances, attractive finishes, and community amenities that help to make residents’ lives complete and enjoyable. That’s what folks are going to find at The Sullivan.”

Development builds a sense of community

The community will offer amenities, quality and convenience, both Douglas and Schaumber emphasized, and will provide residents with “privacy, peacefulness and security.”

“The views of the Piedmont are beautiful, and the site is nestled away from the main thoroughfare of Sulphur Springs Road behind mature landscaping,” Douglas said.

The 180-unit apartment community is housed in five buildings, which is located at 6001 Jacks Lookout Road, near Berea Elementary, Middle School, and High schools, as well as the Berea Community Center Greenville Technical College’s Northwest Campus. The community is also close to Cherrydale Point, which will provide easy access via car or bus routes to shopping, restaurants and health care options.

The Sullivan’s amenities will provide a vibe more commonly found in higher-end communities as a means of building a sense of community and neighborhood, developers said.

A resident clubhouse with coffee bar, business center, onsite laundry facilities and fitness center overlooks a resort-style pool with sundeck, playground and covered picnic and grilling area, while bike racks and an expansive dog park beckon to the outdoor enthusiasts among residents. Free Wi-Fi internet access will be available to residents in common areas around the clubhouse. The Sullivan is also a short distance to Swamp Rabbit Trail access points.

“We are continuously challenging stereotypes about what affordable housing looks and feels like,” said Douglas.

Units range from approximately 900 to 1,600 square feet.

“The Sullivan is designed to be a quality solution and showplace for how high-quality affordable development can be integrated within a community,” Douglas said. “Wages for many jobs are not keeping pace with housing prices, and supply for rental homes at this price point are greatly lagging demand here. An absence of quality affordable housing solutions impacts everyone, not just those that need a place to live. We’re excited to be part of the solution in developing this neighborhood and working closely with our partners to bring The Sullivan to life.”

The project was financed through investment from RBC Capital Markets, JP Morgan Chase, Stifel, Prudential and Community Works, as well as 4% bonds and low-income housing tax credits administered by the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority. Progress Carolina is serving as general contractor on the community with Progress Design as the architects, the release said.

“We’re happy that The Sullivan provides the Upstate with 180 beautiful new apartment homes for seniors as well as families working hard to make a living,” Schaumber said. “Our mission is always to create vibrant, high-quality housing that serves our residents and enhances the communities in which we build. We believe The Sullivan meets that goal and will be a point of pride for the Upstate for years to come.”