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Columbia envisions rooftop decks, a new hotel and more for downtown properties

The city of Columbia is selling two downtown properties and has included specific visions for what they might become under the right developer. For the Washington Square property at the corner of Washington and Main streets, the city envisions a possible hotel and a rooftop courtyard.
The city of Columbia is selling two downtown properties and has included specific visions for what they might become under the right developer. For the Washington Square property at the corner of Washington and Main streets, the city envisions a possible hotel and a rooftop courtyard. City of Columbia property renderings

Columbia just listed two downtown municipal buildings for sale, and the listings include visions for new restaurants, a rooftop pool and courtyard, and the possibility for new apartments and a hotel.

Exactly what ends up being built at the city properties will depend on developer plans and what requirements the city might attach to their sales.

The properties in question include Washington Square at the corner of Washington and Main streets, and a police department facility at the corner of Bull and Taylor streets, according to an announcement shared Oct. 1.

Columbia is marketing the sites to developers with specific ideas for what the buildings might become.

For the Taylor Street property, Columbia is advertising it as ideal for apartments, retail, and/or a restaurant. Renderings of could-be remodels of the space include a rooftop pool and restaurant space with an outdoor courtyard.

The city of Columbia is selling two downtown properties and has included specific visions for what they might become under the right developer. For the Taylor Street property, the city envisions possible apartments, retail or a restaurant, with the potential for a rooftop pool.
The city of Columbia is selling two downtown properties and has included specific visions for what they might become under the right developer. For the Taylor Street property, the city envisions possible apartments, retail or a restaurant, with the potential for a rooftop pool. City of Columbia property renderings

For the Washington Square property, the city envisions a new hotel, and/or retail and restaurant space. Renderings for what that space could look like also include a rooftop deck, along with a covered outdoor courtyard.

The city of Columbia is selling two downtown properties and has included specific visions for what they might become under the right developer. For the Washington Square property at the corner of Washington and Main streets, the city envisions a possible hotel and a rooftop courtyard.
The city of Columbia is selling two downtown properties and has included specific visions for what they might become under the right developer. For the Washington Square property at the corner of Washington and Main streets, the city envisions a possible hotel and a rooftop courtyard. City of Columbia property renderings

The city’s advertisement to developers does not include specific asking prices for either of the two properties. Columbia purchased the Washington Square building in 2003 for $4.5 million. Today, its estimated market value is nearly $11 million, according to county property records. Currently, because the building is city-owned, it doesn’t contribute any property taxes.

Columbia owns five lots at the corner of Taylor and Bull streets, worth a total of about $3 million, according to property records.

The city of Columbia is selling two downtown properties and has included specific visions for what they might become under the right developer. For the Taylor Street property, the city envisions possible apartments, retail or a restaurant, with the potential for a rooftop pool.
The city of Columbia is selling two downtown properties and has included specific visions for what they might become under the right developer. For the Taylor Street property, the city envisions possible apartments, retail or a restaurant, with the potential for a rooftop pool. City of Columbia property renderings

The move to sell the properties has been a long time coming. Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann announced in December 2023 the city’s intention to sell more than a dozen properties occupied by the Columbia Police Department and other municipal services as the city is spending $11 million to renovate the former Aflac building near Laurel and Huger streets into a new police headquarters.

Other properties the city plans to sell include 1 Justice Square on Lincoln Street, and the metro region police headquarters at 1800 Main St.

This story was originally published October 2, 2025 at 1:37 PM.

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Morgan Hughes
The State
(803) 771-8330
Morgan Hughes covers Columbia news for The State. She previously reported on health, education and local governments in Wyoming. She has won awards in Wyoming and Wisconsin for feature writing and investigative journalism. Her work has also been recognized by the South Carolina Press Association.
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