50-foot pyramid, coffee shop and outdoor space envisioned for City of Columbia’s office
A new structure will soon adorn one of Main Street’s tallest buildings.
The city of Columbia is looking to put a nearly 50-foot tall metal pyramid on top of its 13-story office building at 1401 Main St, according to documents filed with the city of Columbia’s Design/Development Review Commission. The pyramid would be painted white and illuminated at night, making a visible difference to the city’s skyline.
“Staff finds that the rooftop pyramidal structure being proposed is sure to add variety to the City’s skyline and will be visible from afar,” design staff wrote in response to the application, which the Design/Development Review Commission approved at a meeting Thursday.
The city could not say how much the pyramid will cost, because contractors are still submitting estimates, a spokesperson said.
The project also includes the installation of new windows and updates the building’s exterior. The city purchased the building in 2020 for $22.5 million.
The plans also include a new pedestrian court with retail space on the Washington Street side of the building, and a vision for a coffee shop with outdoor tables and greenspace. The vision for the outside space “weaves in a river theme to capture the three rivers and the city of Columbia branding,” like the inclusion of “twig seating and pebble stools,” according to the planning documents.
To make room for the outdoor courtyard, the plan proposes removing the existing parallel parking along Washington Street.
The city could not say when work on the building would begin.
