Downtown Columbia’s getting 300 new apartments. Here’s when they break ground
A new project that will bring hundreds of apartments and new retail space to a key corridor in downtown Columbia is eyeing a timeframe to begin construction.
Astral Development and Steady Capital are planning a 483,000-square foot mixed-use development at the southwest corner of Bull Street and Elmwood Avenue. The coming project will include 288 new apartments, with 22,000 square feet on the ground floor for retail and restaurant space.
“Columbia is experiencing an exciting chapter of growth, creativity and connection, and we’re honored to play a role in that story,” Astral Development co-founder Andy Golubitsky said in a statement. “The development is more than developing buildings; it’s about developing communities. Our vision is shaping a destination that reflects the spirit and momentum of Columbia’s thriving downtown.”
Developers acquired eight adjacent properties in the Elmwood and Bull area for the mixed-use project. Officials said in a release that permits will be submitted for the project later this year and ground will likely be broken for construction in spring 2026.
Commercial real estate firm Crosland Barnes Group is handling leasing for the retail portion of the development.
“This project is more than new storefronts,” Crosland Barnes Group’s J.P. Scurry said in a statement. “It’s about creating a place where people want to gather and spend time. The combination of visibility, walkability and built-in residential community makes this a prime retail opportunity in Columbia.”
Ahead of construction, portions of the eight properties that make up the development area are being “temporarily activated to bring energy and community engagement to the space,” developers said in a release. The activations are intended to “create opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the site in new ways while the development moves through design and approvals.”
An example of the activation are FolkTech’s Heat Map events, which developers describe as “a curated series of warehouse events that showcase light, sound and contemporary culture.”
