The view atop 656 Coleman luxury townhome and office complex is of an area in transition: middle-age neighborhoods, a church, reconditioned shopping plaza and temporarily closed school.

Just a decade earlier, there was the thriving Silkworm screen-printing business; 20 years ago, a hardware chain (Lowe's) that would outgrow the space; and in the 1960s, W.T. Grant department store.

Now, envision what it could look like in a few years. The school, Moultrie Middle, is scheduled to get a face-lift. Law firms are building offices, a new shopping plaza is planned and retail outlets are to be revamped along Coleman Boulevard.

Backers of 656 Coleman believe their 52-unit development would not only fit in with these proposed upgrades, but help resurrect the boulevard's commercial and residential district as a traditional Main Street. The midrise project is what's known as a "live-work" community; 18 units will have commercial space on the first floor and townhomes on the upper two levels. The other 34 spaces will be three-floor townhomes with no commercial space.

WBC LCC is the developer and Winsor South LLC is the builder. Jeffrey Thomas, a principal in the development group, also is with Winsor South. Dunes Properties of Mount Pleasant is the sales and marketing company. The first construction phase is of the three-story townhomes; the live-work properties are expected to be built later.

Three-bedroom townhomes will be 2,374 to 2,580 square feet and priced from $545,000 to $585,000. About half of the first-phase dwellings have been sold. The first units should be completed by February 2007.

Buyers are expected to include empty-nesters and seniors.

"I think it's something every town needs, housing for downsizers," said xxxx.

Attractions at 656 Coleman include hardwood floors, granite countertops, high-end kitchen appliances and tile bathrooms. There will be elevator shafts in the units, giving buyers the chance to install elevators; two-car garage parking; and 10-foot ceilings. The townhomes have energy- efficient, Andersen-brand windows and special precast concrete and foam-insulated construction that make the walls extra thick and padded to block noise.