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Former Rosewood Church to become high-end apartments

Staff Report //April 22, 2021//

Former Rosewood Church to become high-end apartments

Staff Report //April 22, 2021//

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A new project spearheaded by Cason Development Group will transform the former Rosewood Church property into a mixed-use development including 52 apartments.  (Rendering/Provided)

A new mixed-use development will transform a familiar neighborhood landmark into high-end apartments and retail space including a Starbucks.

Cason Development Group is spearheading the renovation of the former Rosewood Church property at 2901 Rosewood Drive into 52 apartments. Rosewood Church, which had occupied the property since 1937, put the building up for sale in 2019 and relocated to Moss Avenue.

“Our team is very excited about the opportunity to bring these buildings back to life with this new mixed-use project,” Frank Cason, Cason Development Group president, said in a news release. “We feel this development will help continue the momentum in the downtown area by bringing new residents and improving the urban lifestyle in Columbia.”

The existing sanctuary was built in 1969-70 by Ralph Lee Construction, which was owned and operated by the late grandfather of Wilson Kibler senior associate Brooks Owings. Owings represented Cason Development Group in the property acquisition.

“My personal connection to the property makes this a transaction that I am especially grateful to be involved with,” Owings said. “I look forward to seeing the end-product that Cason Development delivers and its positive impact on the community.”

A new multi-building project will transform the former Rosewood Church into a mix of high-end apartments and retail space. (Rendering/Provided)An existing building at 2809 Rosewood Drive, across Sloan Street from the church, will be converted into retail space, and a second retail building, which will house Starbucks, will be constructed. Three of the apartments will be above the new retail building.

A portion of Sloan Street will be closed and become a part of the project, creating a dead end, and a pedestrian- and bike-friendly entrance will be created from Sloan Street off Burney Drive.

“Interest in the retail portion of this project has been outstanding from the start,” said Taylor Wolfe, a developer with Cason. “We plan to be very selective while working through our tenant mix here. Our team wants to be sure we have a collection of retailers that cater to our apartments and serve the Shandon and Rosewood neighborhoods for years to come.”

Boyer Construction is the project contractor, while Garvin Design Group is the architect.

“It’s exciting to be involved with repurposing an existing neighborhood church into really cool living spaces without altering the church’s appearance,” said Scott Garvin, president of Garvin Design Group. “The mix of permanent residents and the newly created retail next door will result in a very active development for this area of Rosewood.”

The project is Cason’s third announced Columbia-area mixed-use project. Work is underway to convert the Klondike Building at 1813 Main St. downtown into apartments with retail and has also begun on a mixed-use project on Forest Dive at Brentwood Drive in Forest Acres.

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