Development trends in West Columbia and Cayce

West Columbia and Cayce are evolving differently as development progresses. Both cities have witnessed transformation recently, but West Columbia rapidly issues building permits, while Cayce has maintained a deliberate pace. The State continues to follow closely development trends in the neighboring cities across the Congaree River from Columbia. Here are seven stores that chart the cities' trajectory through the first half of 2025.

West Columbia as seen from the Gervais Street Bridge. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 1: A TALE OF TWO SC CITIES. WILL MIDLANDS TOWN CATCH UP WITH ITS NEIGHBOR ON DEVELOPMENT?

Across the Congaree River from Columbia, two cities in Lexington County have developed differently over the last decade. As more people move to South Carolina, what does their future hold? | Published January 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Wade

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Developers want to put 52 townhomes along Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia. By Provided

NO. 2: MORE THAN 50 TOWNHOMES PROPOSED FOR SITE NEAR MIDLANDS RIVERWALK. HERE’S WHERE THEY’D GO

The developer says the new Midlands development shouldn’t cause any traffic problems. | Published January 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Wade

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A new townhome in West Columbia, South Carolina on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. By Joshua Boucher

NO. 3: IS THE MIDLANDS SEEING AN INCREASE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TOWNHOMES? HERE’S WHAT WE FOUND

Anecdotally, it seems townhomes are all the rage in the Midlands. Is that really true? | Published February 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Wade Morgan Hughes

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A rendering of the planned expansion of the Still Hopes retirement community. By Provided by Still Hopes

NO. 4: MIDLANDS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY SET TO EXPAND WITH TOWNHOMES, 183 APARTMENTS. HERE’S WHERE

The longtime Midlands senior living community will add around 200 housing units and a clubhouse to its campus. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Wade

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A landscape supplier wants to bring the company’s first southeastern location to Lexington County. By Provided

NO. 5: LEXINGTON COUNTY LANDS $45M INVESTMENT FROM LANDSCAPING MANUFACTURER. WHAT WE KNOW

The Canadian-based company, with locations across the United States, is set to bring its first Southeastern site to South Carolina. | Published April 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Wade

1300 Knox Abbot Dr. in Cayce. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 6: CITY NEAR COLUMBIA HAS STRUGGLED WITH RETAIL VACANCIES. HAVE THINGS GOTTEN BETTER?

Officials for the Midlands city highlighted vacant, blighted buildings as an area to improve. Real estate agents say things are looking up. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Wade

A shopping center on State Street in Cayce in the midst of an extensive revitalization on June 25, 2025. By Jordan Lawrence

NO. 7: SHOPPING CENTER NEAR COLUMBIA REVITALIZING, BRINGING IN WINE AND RAW BAR

The oyster bar with an extensive menu makes plans to move in as the city near Columbia aims to add to its developing arts district. | Published June 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Riley Edenbeck

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.