Greenville Housing Fund unveils renovated Century Plaza
May 13, 2024
Two local women, Sheryl Pierce and Brittany Cannon, described their personal journeys to finding quality, attainable housing at a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of extensive renovations at Century Plaza Apartments, a 212-unit mixed-income-to-market-rate apartment and townhome complex on Century Drive in the Overbrook neighborhood.
Affordable housing advocates and local officials attended the festivities, with confetti cannons adding a happy exclamation point to the event.
Bryan Brown, Greenville Housing Fund’s President and CEO, said that Greenville Housing Fund has invested over $5 million at Century Plaza over the past year, without displacing existing residents.
“Century Plaza Apartments is in a great central location near I-385, downtown, and many employers,” Brown said. “These renovations create fresh, attractive apartments for families and individuals, like Brittany and Sheryl, looking for an accessible, affordable rental option.”
Over half the apartments have seen interior renovations, and extensive work has been done to the exterior and building systems, including siding and window replacements and upgraded landscaping. The community clubhouse sports new gym equipment and a refreshed resident lounge, while renovations to the outdoor pool were also recently completed. Brown noted that the renovations are on-going, but that the improved functionality and aesthetic of the property will be on display during a first-annual summer cookout for the Century Plaza community in early June, hosted by Greenville Housing Fund, complete with local BBQ, snow cones and popcorn machines.
Brown also praised a successful collaboration with the Greenville Housing Authority to accept housing vouchers at Century Plaza, creating additional opportunities for as many as fifty households seeking reasonably priced housing in Greenville’s extremely hot real estate market.
City of Greenville Vice Mayor Pro Tem Dorothy Dowe echoed Brown’s enthusiasm.
“We know that the availability of high-quality workforce housing is absolutely critical in enabling economic success and mobility. Century Plaza – with such easy access to downtown and to some of Greenville’s largest employers and employment centers – is a shining light in that regard, and the City of Greenville is so pleased to be able to participate in this transformation,” Dowe said.
Dowe and Brown were joined on the ribbon-cutting agenda by Will Eckstein of Harmony Housing Affordable Development and Matt Good, Board Chair at Greenville Housing Fund. Both applauded the renovations, as well as the partnerships and cooperation that made them possible.
Greenville Housing Fund purchased and rebranded Century Plaza in early 2023, in partnership with Harmony Housing Affordable Development and Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP, (NYSE: GHI). Additional support came from the City of Greenville. The South Carolina Department of Commerce also contributed funding toward the renovation work.
Greenville-based Vista Capital Management Company provides on-site leasing and property management services. Apartments at Century Plaza are still available; interested renters can contact the leasing office at (864) 696-2278 to check current inventory and to apply for a unit.
Greenville Housing Fund
Greenville Housing Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to championing a future of thriving and affordable neighborhoods across Greenville’s diverse communities. Through lending, investing, advocacy, and land-banking, GHF works with community stakeholders, developers, municipalities, and many other partners to preserve and increase the supply of safe, accessible, high-quality, affordable housing for all citizens of Greenville County. Learn more at www. greenvillehousingfund.com.
