Congaree Vista sees more than $475 million in investment, strengthening downtown Columbia’s economic base
February 10, 2026
More than $475 million in completed and planned private and public investment over the past several years has reshaped the Congaree Vista into one of downtown Columbia’s most active economic centers, according to figures compiled by the Congaree Vista Guild. The growth reflects a steady expansion of hospitality, residential, office and public-space development that has reinforced the district’s role in the region’s broader economic development strategy.
Since 2020, projects totaling more than $236 million have opened within the Vista, including large-scale mixed-use, hotel and public-space developments. An additional $240 million in projects is currently planned or underway, signaling continued investment interest in the district as Columbia’s downtown footprint expands.
“The scale and diversity of these projects show that the Vista is no longer driven by a single sector,” said Congaree Vista Guild Executive Director Abby Anderson. “Hospitality, residential, office and public investments are all moving forward at the same time, which is a strong indicator of long-term economic stability.”
The Congaree Vista, a designated South Carolina Cultural District, spans several blocks west of the State House and includes galleries, restaurants, hotels, condominiums, office space and specialty retail. Long known for its arts and nightlife offerings, the district has increasingly become a focal point for larger capital projects tied to tourism, workforce housing and commercial activity.
Among the most significant completed developments is Gateway 737, a $170 million mixed-use project that includes student housing units, retail space and structured parking. Additional hospitality investments include the $15.1 million Cambria Hotel and the $12.28 million Homewood Suites/Tru by Hilton, both of which expanded hotel capacity in the district and added meeting and event space.
Public and adaptive-reuse projects have also contributed to the district’s momentum. The $21.5 million redevelopment of Finlay Park, located in the Vista, represents a major investment in public infrastructure and green space, while projects such as the $14 million Lantern Hotel Columbia and the $3.2 million Sylvan’s redevelopment reflect continued reinvestment in historic properties.
That trend is expected to continue. Planned projects in the Vista represent an additional $240 million in anticipated investment, anchored by large residential and mixed-use developments. Among them is Verve Columbia, an $85 million project, as well as Palmetto Place SC, estimated at $50 million, and LOCAL Columbia, a mixed-use development projected at approximately $80 million.
Other upcoming projects include Silver Hills Apartments, Seaboard Vista, The Vonton Hotel and smaller mixed-use projects combining ground-floor retail with housing.
Collectively, the completed and planned developments underscore the Vista’s growing importance as a connector between Columbia’s central business district, the University of South Carolina and the Congaree River. The concentration of housing, employment and visitor-serving uses supports increased foot traffic and longer dwell times, which benefit surrounding businesses.
The Congaree Vista Guild, a nonprofit membership organization, works with property owners, businesses and public partners to support the district through advocacy, events, district services and coordination with city planning efforts. The organization tracks development activity and promotes policies that encourage balanced growth while preserving the Vista’s historic character.
As Columbia continues to invest in downtown revitalization and infrastructure, the scale of development in the Vista reflects broader regional trends favoring dense, mixed-use urban districts. For local businesses and policymakers, the numbers point to a district that has moved beyond revitalization into a sustained phase of economic growth.
About the Congaree Vista Guild
The Congaree Vista Guild is a non-profit, membership-based organization charged with seeing that Columbia’s Vista, which is an official South Carolina Cultural District, is a vibrant symbol of our progressive Southern city. Led by a 14-member Board of Directors representing a variety of business sectors, the Congaree Vista Guild and its members are dedicated to making the Vista the place of choice for shopping, dining and entertainment, a national and international tourist destination, and a high-energy urban environment to live and grow businesses.
