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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A popular spot for tailgaters near Williams-Brice Stadium could soon be home to more than 70 new townhomes. Columbia City Council recently approved a zoning change for the property currently occupied by Seawell’s, a longtime restaurant and event space on Rosewood Drive. Under the proposed development, 71 townhomes would be built on the land where the Seawell’s building and an adjacent field now sit. The homes would be for sale — not for rent — with prices estimated between $650,000 and $750,000. “We think there’s a great market there, whether you’re a graduate student or someone who’s just recently graduated and wants to live in the urban core,” said Steve McNair with Palmetto Alliance Property Group. Developers said they initially considered building student housing but ultimately decided to target young professionals and working adults. “We had looked previously at 400 student housing [units] and decided against that,” said George McCutchen with Wilson Kibler Inc. “We’d rather this be for young professionals and other working people downtown.” Cal Seawell, owner of Seawell’s, said the proposal was brought up in late 2024. While the decision was difficult, he said the offer was hard to refuse. “Great place, great events, great memories,” McCutchen said. “Some of the brothers are getting a little older and thinking about handing it off to one of the sons, letting them continue, maybe somewhere else. This is some valuable property.” Seawell said the business will honor all existing reservations and bookings. If the project moves forward, the restaurant will leave the fairgrounds area by the end of next summer. He emphasized that Seawell’s is not closing and is actively looking for a new location. The project is not set in stone, and still must go through a separate design approval process. Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.,
