Construction is underway on all 12 homes at Hattie’s Crossing, an urban in-fill community on the site of the former Cayce Grammar School.

Hattie’s Crossing is a project of Columbia developers Mark James and Tyler Baldwin Jr. of Cypress Development Partners, with marketing handled by The Wheeler Group powered by Coldwell Banker Realty.

Bounded by Lexington Avenue, and Eighth, Poplar and Third streets, Hattie’s Crossing will offer a mix of one and two-story, single-family homes in four models with three distinct versions of each model. Construction is expected to be completed this fall, and homes are expected to be priced from $379,000 to $399,000.

The homes of Hattie’s Crossing will all be three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths and range in size from around 1,400 to 1,600 square feet on a roughly 6,000-square-foot lot, each home having its own yard. Six homes will face Poplar Street and six will face Lexington Avenue with an alley behind the homes connecting Third and Eighth streets that will be used for parking and access. Each house will have a front porch to foster a sense of community connected by sidewalks. More information is available at www.hattiescrossing.com.

Allison Ramsey Architects of Beaufort (www.allisonramseyarchitect.com), who also designed the homes for St. Anns Alley in West Columbia, has designed four basic models with varying interior layouts and color schemes. Fulfilled Engineering of West Columbia is the civil engineer for the project and Haven Homes of Irmo is the builder.

The new community’s name – Hattie’s Crossing — pays homage to Hattie Derrenbacher, who set up the first school in Cayce in 1913 which operated out of her home and included nine students, before becoming a teacher in Cayce’s fist public school near the old municipal building. When that building was destroyed by fire a new two-room school was built where the Cayce Grammar School stood. Cayce Grammar School closed in 1976, and the building had been abandoned for years, becoming an eyesore. The building was demolished to make way for the new homes.

“Full credit goes to the developer for turning a deteriorating structure in a prime location into a thoughtfully planned residential community,” said Zack Wheeler, partner in The Wheeler Group.

“By reimagining an entire city block, they’ve created modern homes that remain attainable in today’s market. Future homeowners at Hattie’s Crossing will enjoy the best of both worlds — contemporary living on a historic site, nestled within a well-established neighborhood that truly feels like a community within a community,” Wheeler said.

“Arriving at the right development plan for this property took careful thought and consideration.” said Mark James. He and Baldwin purchased the school property in 2018. “We considered the desires of the local residents and worked with the City of Cayce to make sure the project is consistent with the City’s vision,” James said.

Cayce City Council member Byron Thomas praised the new development. “I’m truly grateful to see Hattie’s Crossing taking shape, bringing 12 new homes to the highly sought-after Cayce avenues,” Thomas said. “This project not only provides new housing opportunities for families but also transforms a long-dormant, non-tax paying property into a valuable source of tax revenue. These homes will help strengthen our city’s tax base and support continued investment in public services, infrastructure, and overall quality of life for all Cayce residents,” he said.

Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce CEO Tim James, no relation to the project developer, also praised the project. “As a former student at Cayce Grammar School, it makes me proud to see the property evolve into beautiful homes for families to enjoy. We are excited about these homes in the Avenues, and appreciate the developers for recognizing the importance of the namesake to keep the original intent of the property alive.”

The developers and The Wheeler Group were part of the highly successful St. Anns Alley
project in West Columbia, an urban infill development of single-family homes adjacent to the
West Columbia River District.

The name Hattie’s Crossing acknowledges the history and legacy of the property. “For many years, Cayce Grammar School stood as a landmark in this community, helping shape generations of young people in Cayce. Hattie Derrenbacher was an important part of that legacy and we are pleased to recognize her contribution in the naming of our development.” said Mark James.

“Lexington School District Two is pleased with this fitting tribute to Hattie Derrenbacher, a woman who dedicated her life to educating the children who would one day be productive citizens and leaders of our great city of Cayce,” said Dr. Brenda Hafner, the school district’s superintendent.

About The Wheeler Group
The Wheeler Group, powered by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, focuses on meeting the real estate needs of people in the Midlands. With a combined 50 years of experience closing thousands of transactions, Wheeler & Wheeler is uniquely positioned to help meet your goals.
The Wheeler Group, 1711 Gervais Street / Columbia, SC 29201 / 803-354-4050