Beaufort Memorial, Town of Bluffton, Beaufort County Advance Affordable Workforce Housing Project

Affordable workforce housing in Bluffton took a major step forward Aug. 12 as Bluffton Town Council unanimously approved the development of LiveWell Terrace by Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH), a 120-unit apartment community on Buckwalter Parkway.

The votes marked the second and final reading of three related ordinances transferring residential development rights from the Town of Bluffton to project developer Woda Cooper Companies and Beaufort Memorial. With approval secured, the project now moves into pre-construction planning.

LiveWell Terrace will be built less than a mile from the future Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Community Hospital, a 28-bed, $103 million facility set to open in 2027. The housing will provide an affordable option for future hospital employees as well as other members of the local workforce.

“Providing quality, affordable housing is critical to attracting and retaining the staff we need to deliver exceptional care,” said Russell Baxley, Beaufort Memorial President and CEO. “LiveWell Terrace will not only benefit our team but will also help address a pressing community need.”

The apartment community will feature 30 one-bedroom, 60 two-bedroom and 30 three-bedroom units. Monthly rents will range from $570 to $1,720, depending on unit size and income qualifications. Apartments will be available to any qualified tenant, not just BMH employees.

Beaufort County purchased the 10-acre site in 2023 from St. Andrew By-The-Sea with the intent of creating workforce housing. The purchase was supported by the Town of Bluffton Affordable Housing Committee and received unanimous Beaufort County Council approval in April 2025.

“Affordable housing is essential to sustaining Bluffton’s economic growth,” said Bluffton Mayor Larry Toomer. “Projects like LiveWell Terrace make it possible for teachers, nurses, hospitality workers and other essential employees to live in the community they serve.”

He added that it’s encouraging to see government agencies and private organizations working together to make this a reality.

“A decade ago, affordable housing was an issue few wanted to tackle—today it’s a top priority because we know it directly impacts economic development, quality of life and the prosperity of our entire community,” Mayor Toomer said.

The high cost of living in the Lowcountry is one of the barriers to attracting skilled professionals in healthcare and other industries. By partnering with Beaufort County, the Town of Bluffton and Woda Cooper Companies, the LiveWell Terrace by BMH project addresses both workforce and housing needs. The permitting process is expected to wrap up by this fall. Construction is projected to begin by the end of the year, with the first tenants moving in by early 2027.
 

Learn more about the LiveWell Terrace development and other Beaufort Memorial initiatives designed to expand healthcare access across the Lowcountry.