It’s finally here.

West Columbia’s long-awaited development known as “Brookland” is ready to welcome occupants.

The first residents will move in Friday, said Berica Robinson.

She is the marketing director for Estates and Companies, the developers of Brookland.

She said Brookland’s Building No. 1 that fronts Alexander Road, is “95% leased.”

Brookland is a multi-million-dollar mixed-use development - residential, commercial and retail - including a public parking garage, private parking, public gathering places and four buildings incorporating multifamily, office, retail, and restaurant space.

The landmark project is being built at the base of the Gervais Street Bridge, near the intersection of State and Meeting Streets, in a spot that overlooks the Congaree River with the backdrop of the Columbia skyline. On the west side, Brookland faces the restaurants and shops of West Columbia’s River District.

Robinson said leasing started in April, and the units were snapped up. “There has been a lot of excitement. They are ready to move in,” She said. And she said there is a reason. “West Columbia is a jewel.”

Matt Mundy, of Estates Management Company, said the quick rate of filling the first Brookland units is a testament to the market, especially in West Columbia. He also said the popularity of Brookland is based on the unique creation that it is, and the “overall ambiance” of the site.

The habitat is high-end. Building No. 1 features one-bedroom studio units just under 700-sq-ft, and two-bedroom apartments that are 1,265-sq.ft. The high-quality units have floor-to-ceiling windows. Some face the sunrise, or the river, and others look out over West Columbia, on the sunset side.

“We call it ‘urban chic.,’ said Robinson. “The units are being leased by a clientele ranging from Generation Xers to Baby Boomers. They want an active lifestyle, close to Riverwalk. And they want to be in a convenient location.”

They are modern, said Mundy, with attention to the past. Brookland is the original name of West Columbia. “Brookland will set the tone for the future, but it has its roots in a history that you can build upon,” said Mundy.

When ground was broken for Brookland in January of 2017, Mayor Bobby Horton said West Columbia is “embracing Brookland again.” Horton said Thursday that the first Brookland residents represent the culmination of a long-anticipated project.

“We’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,” Horton said. He also said the city began acquiring property at the Brookland site a decade-or-more ago. “We wanted a first-class, multi-use development and this is it.”

In addition to residential, the plan includes commercial, retail and restaurant space. A restaurant would be a perfect fit for Building No. 1. And that is something that could become a reality in the coming months. “We want to see many more ribbon-cuttings,” said Horton.