Core Spaces breaks ground on ōLiv Columbia, 2,352-bed mixed-use development on Main Street

Core Spaces (“Core”), a leading real estate developer, operator and investment manager, announced that it has closed on construction financing for ōLiv Columbia and officially broken ground on the 2,352-bed mixed-use development located at 1401 Main Street. Affiliates of Apollo (NYSE: APO) provided construction financing; Newmark assisted in the debt financing for the transaction, and Juneau Construction Company serves as general contractor. The development is expected to be delivered in the Summer of 2028.

ōLiv Columbia will feature two towers, a 26-story market-rate apartment tower and a 22-story student housing tower, with a total of 723 units and 2,352 beds. Designed to offer an elevated downtown living experience for both students and young professionals, the community will include a top-of-market amenity package, such as a resort-style rooftop pool overseeing Main Street, rooftop spa and fitness center, private study rooms, outdoor sport court and a coffee shop. The project will also offer more than 2,140 square feet of retail space and a 1,600-stall parking garage to enhance street-level activity and support Columbia’s long-term vision for a dynamic Main Street District.

“This is an exciting milestone for ōLiv Columbia, a development that will not only bring more housing downtown but also revitalize the Main Street corridor,” said Austin Pagnotta, Director of Acquisitions at Core Spaces. “This development represents a partnership with Richland County and the City of Columbia and our continued investment in this great city. We’re committed to delivering a community that complements the city’s unique character and elevates the everyday experience for residents, students and visitors.”

Recognized for its innovative, hospitality-focused designs, Core is working with architect Dwell Design Studios. With two striking, connected towers and an activated streetscape that includes a plaza adjacent to Aja Charles’ beloved mural and a coffee shop, ōLiv Columbia is poised to reshape the skyline and energize Main Street.

ōLiv Columbia represents a public-private partnership in collaboration with the City of Columbia and Richland County. The site is adjacent to the city’s new Municipal Complex, which is currently under construction. When both projects are completed, the 1400 block of Main Street will combine government, business, retail and housing uses, creating a vibrant mixed-use destination in the core of the city center.

This marks Core’s second development in Columbia. The firm also developed Hub Columbia at 1426 Main Street in 2014, a project that helped launch the transformation of the Main Street District.

About Core Spaces

Core Spaces (Core) is more than a real estate company; it’s a people company. Building relationships is just as important as building properties. From researchers and architects to designers and operators, Core is made up of risk-takers and dreamers on a mission to invent the future of living. Everything Core does stems from a culture of collaboration and innovation, with a drive to constantly improve the resident experience.

Founded in 2010, Core is a vertically integrated real estate investment manager focused on acquiring, developing and managing across the student housing and build-to-rent (“BTR”) sectors. Its residential communities feature world-class amenities, progressive design, and hospitality-driven service. Core’s student housing portfolio includes over 59,000 beds currently owned or managed, with a pipeline of over 50,930 beds in various stages of development. Core’s BTR division has over 3,000 homes under development, now leasing or in its pipeline in high-growth metros nationwide. For more information, visit www.corespaces.com.