Colonial Village Apartments
National Register Listing
Street Address:
3700 West Avenue, Columbia, SC (Richland County)
NRHP Nomination Form
Record Number:
S10817740180
Description and Narrative:
Colonial Village is a relatively intact example of a garden apartment housing project constructed on the eve of World War II to alleviate Columbia's housing shortage. As an example of an early FHA-insured housing project in Columbia, the twenty-building complex is significant under Criterion A for Social History and Government. It is also significant under Criterion C for Architecture as a good example of its type, representing a suburban take on the design ideals the FHA established in the mid-1930s. At the time of its construction, Colonial Village was the largest privately financed housing project in South Carolina. Built for white residents, the complex embraces the Colonial Revival style, underscoring the title of the apartment development, and features nearly ten acres of land to create a sense of suburban living. The development sits upon nine-and-a-half acres in the Colonial Heights section of Columbia, one of the highest topographical spots in the capital city. The complex features greenspaces, typical in garden apartments, that allowed tenants to gather and enjoy outdoor activities. Since its construction in 1941, the complex has largely retained its original design and decorative elements, although the construction of SC-277 in circa 1977 led to the demolition of three buildings and the loss of half an acre from the original development. Listed in the National Register September 24, 2021.
Period of Significance:
1941
Level of Significance:
Local
Area of Significance:
Social History;Architecture;Politics/Government
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
2021-09-24
Date of Boundary Increase:
No Boundary Increase
Location:
Richland County
