Columbia's evolving architectural landscape

Columbia's architectural landscape evolves as it balances historical preservation with modern growth. Articles highlight new developments and concerns about gentrification in historic neighborhoods. In Millwood Avenue's corridor, new investment plans for townhouses and varied residential growth stir gentrification worries among longtime residents. Columbia's downtown witnesses a transformation as Optus Bank renovates a prominent building, signaling an adaptive reuse of spaces.

The BullStreet District emerges as a bustling hub, hosting retailers and housing projects that mark a significant city development milestone. Meanwhile, Godspeed coffee pop-up plans to solidify its presence in the lively Five Points area, showcasing Columbia's dynamic blend of culture and business.

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Lower Waverly Historic District sign on Cherry Street. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 1: THE ‘FLOODGATES’ HAVE OPENED FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THIS HISTORIC COLUMBIA CORRIDOR

While some welcome investment in historic Black neighborhoods, there are concerns longtime residents could be pushed out. | Published July 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes

The house at 427 Harden Street. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 2: A CENTURY-OLD COLUMBIA HOUSE IS FOR SALE. RESIDENTS FEAR IT WILL BECOME STUDENT RENTALS

Tension between homeowners and new student rentals continues to grow in Columbia. | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes

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Optus Bank has purchased the vacant office building at 1710 Gervais St. formerly owned by South State Bank and will use it for their new headquarters.

NO. 3: A PROMINENT COLUMBIA BUILDING NEAR USC WILL GET NEW LIFE AFTER $2.6M SALE. WHAT TO KNOW

The 22,500-square-foot Columbia building has been vacant for more than four years. | Published January 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes

The cupola of the historic Babcock Building at the former South Carolina State Hospital before it was destroyed by fire in 2020, left, and the restored cupola on the same building in the BullStreet District that was renovated into apartments. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 4: A DECADE IN THE MAKING: HOW COLUMBIA’S BULLSTREET DISTRICT IS GOING FROM DREAM TO REALITY

As apartments multiply and restaurants announce on the sprawling BullStreet site, the University of South Carolina’s planned new medical school could take the project to the next level. | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

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A new housing project would fill one of the few remaining gaps along the core blocks of Columbia’s Main Street with a pair of high-rises. By Jordan Lawrence

NO. 5: TWO NEW HIGH-RISES PLANNED FOR COLUMBIA’S MAIN STREET. WHAT WILL THEY INCLUDE?

The new towers would take the place of a long-standing parking lot on Columbia’s otherwise crowded Main Street. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes

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Godspeed, a Columbia coffee pop-up, is planning to open a more permanent brick-and-mortar location later in 2025 at 747 Saluda Ave. in Five Points. By Chris Trainor

NO. 6: THIS POPULAR COLUMBIA COFFEE POP-UP IS PLANNING A PERMANENT HOME IN FIVE POINTS

The locally owned shop will take a space that was formerly home to a national coffee chain in one of Columbia’s key districts. | Published April 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

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The ground floor of the Tapp’s building in downtown Columbia will be relaunched as the Shoppes at Tapp’s. By File photo by Gerry Melendez

NO. 7: AN ICONIC DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA BUILDING TO BE HOME TO A ‘BOUTIQUE DEPARTMENT STORE’

The main level of the Columbia building will have 11,000 square feet for retail, and the basement level is slated to be home to a gym. | Published April 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.