News Summary
Developer Core Spaces is set to invest approximately $225 million in two high-rise towers on Main Street in Columbia. This ambitious project includes a 27-story residential building and a 22-story student housing tower, providing about 725 units. The development also features a large parking garage, expected to influence local traffic patterns. Engineered with community feedback in mind, the project aims to address housing shortages and enhance downtown Columbia’s skyline, positioning it as an attractive destination for young professionals.
Columbia, S.C. — Developer Core Spaces has announced plans to construct two high-rise towers on Main Street, representing an investment of approximately $225 million. This ambitious project aims to address the growing demand for housing in the area by including a 27-story residential building and a 22-story student housing tower. Collectively, the towers will provide around 725 units for residents.
The development will also feature a parking garage capable of accommodating up to 1,600 vehicles, ensuring ample parking for residents and guests alike. Given the expected increase in residential density along Main Street, local officials anticipate more vehicle traffic during rush hours, a change that could impact commuting patterns significantly.
Currently, the traffic plan for the project is under review by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), which has a history of implementing upgrades to improve traffic flow for all types of road users, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists in Columbia. The project as proposed includes multiple driveway access points along Main Street to help distribute traffic and alleviate potential congestion.
Representatives from Core Spaces report that the project is progressing without complications, with no variances requested, according to Mark DeSouza from Thomas Hutton, the consulting firm involved. The traffic plan has also been submitted to the City of Columbia for further evaluation by city engineers.
Columbia’s downtown area is currently undergoing a transformation, marked by a rise in high-rise multifamily developments coupled with significant parking structures. This combination of new housing options and expanded parking facilities is predicted to alter travel patterns in the downtown region. The anticipated structure of the market-rate apartment building is expected to reach a height of approximately 270 feet, making it taller than the adjacent Wells Fargo building. For context, Columbia’s tallest building, the Capital Center, is less than 350 feet tall.
Local officials view the development as a means to enhance the downtown skyline of Columbia and attract more young professionals to the area. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to position Columbia as a desirable location for young individuals seeking long-term residence.
Community feedback on the project suggests it could alleviate the housing shortage faced by students and young professionals in Columbia. Developers expect that the influx of residents will lead to a significant boost in local businesses by increasing foot traffic in the downtown area, stimulating the local economy.
As part of the project, an 11-level parking structure will be included, which will also provide public parking spaces available during specific days and times, catering to the needs of both residents and visitors. The Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals is scheduled to consider a special exception necessary for the construction of the buildings at a meeting on May 1, 2025.
The strategic location of the development on an undeveloped parking lot near the Wells Fargo office tower is expected to further enhance the appeal of Main Street as a residential destination. Core Spaces previously developed The Hub, a student apartment complex that successfully introduced a higher population to Main Street, demonstrating their capability to execute similar projects effectively.
This planned development is seen as a crucial step toward addressing Columbia’s housing demands while enhancing the overall urban landscape of downtown Columbia.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Core Spaces Towers Downtown Columbia
- The State: Proposed High-Rises in Columbia
- Colatoday: New Apartment Towers in Columbia
- WIS TV: Proposed High-Rises in Columbia
- Post and Courier: New Apartment Tower Design in Columbia
- Wikipedia: Columbia, South Carolina
- Google Search: Columbia SC high-rise development
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