Historic Garden District Planned For City Center

The Historic Columbia Foundation has plans for a 21-block garden district bounded by Taylor, Calhoun, Marion and Barnwell streets and surrounding the city’s and county’s historic homes.

In the 1800s, the area contained some of the South’s most revered gardens, but they fell into disrepair after the Civil War and in the mid-20th century were abandoned and plowed under.

Now, Historic Columbia is resurrecting those gardens with public walks, interpretive signs and docents highlighting a different era of landscaping at each of the five properties.

Planners said the project will make Columbia the nation’s first city to illustrate and interpret a century of landscaping — in this case, 1820-1920.

Also, the district’s walkways will help connect the downtown areas of USC, Main Street, the proposed Bull Street neighborhood at the site of the State Hospital campus, and the Waverly neighborhood, including Allen University and Benedict College.

“It’s a massive project,” garden committee co-chairwoman Belinda Gergel said of the estimated 10-year, multimillion-dollar endeavor. “But great cities deserve great projects.”

Article - Compliments of The State Newspaper

Film Festival Coming to Downtown Columbia, SC

The Indie Grits Film Fest
May 30-June 3, 2007
Nickelodeon Theatre
937 Main Street
Columbia, SC
Indie GRITS will present a fun, exciting and enlightening opportunity for experienced and first-time media makers to come together and share their interest in independent media production.

Capitol Places Wants to Hear Your Design Ideas

Capitol Places has developed 126 apartments and 45 condominiums in Columbia South Carolina with another 200+ planned and look forward to strong growth in the downtown market. We continue to research unique and new designs in multifamily and mixed-use properties and would love to hear from you. If you have seen any architecture, new materials, interior designs, or any other input that you find fascinating, please either post here or email us the information at designteam@capitolplaces.com. You input in very valuable to us and we appreciate it. Thanks

City Center Columbia, SC Condo Market Steady

Columbia, SC Condo Market Steady

Unlike many of the overbuilt and investor driven markets for condominiums in Florida, coastal markets and the west coast, Columbia continues to experience steady growth and appreciation. Nowhere is this more prevalent than the condominiums in city center Columbia. Over the last 10 years, the prices of the condos have increased every year with an average of 9.9%.

Downtown Condominium Annual Percentage Change

1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	Average
6%	6.5%	6.8%	11.2%	1.4%	22.6%	10.7%	9.1%	15.2%	9.9%

Main Street Market Begins in May

Main Street Market will be open every Friday from 10am to 2pm in May and June. The seasonal downtown open-air market features homemade breads & pastries, flowers, fine art, handmade soaps & candles, gift baskets, handmade jewelry & pocket books, arts & crafts, and free entertainment. Free admission! Main Street Marketplace is held on Boyd Plaza in front of the Columbia Museum of Art. (Corner of Hampton & Main). FOOD.MUSIC.&MORE

The event is sponsored by City Center Partnership.

Columbia Fesitival of Arts

The Columbia Festival of the Arts, in Columbia, South Carolina, is a celebration of the wonderful arts and culture we have in the Midlands that surprises people who visit our community for the first time.
From April 26th to May 6th, 2007, we will be highlighting the amazing theatre, dance, music, visual arts and museum exhibits that are a part of this wonderful community and that we usually take for granted.

Main Street Columbia, South Carolina Gaining Momentum

Look for 2007 to be "The Tipping Point" for Main Street.

• Residential growth on Main Street will have doubled in 2007 with the additions of 75 apartments in the Barringer Building and 34 Condominiums at 1520 Main.
• New Sheraton boutique hotel will be opening at corner of Washington and Main with rooftop bar.
• Kickstand Photography recently opened their new studio.
• In April, a new sculpture with an interactive water feature will be built at the corner of Main and Hampton on Boyd Plaza in front of Art Museum.
• New retail is coming to life with specialty shops locating on Main Street.
• Argyle Social Club announces formation of new private social and dining club to be located next to the Columbia Museum of Art.
  
• The Business Improvement District will launch their Retail Initiative.
  
• Downtown Public Safety Plan to be implemented with significant increase in police and safety patrol.

COMING SOON: Nickelodeon is renovating the old "Fox Theater"

Columbia is quickly become a vibrant and convenient urban atmosphere with numerous opportunities for varied lifestyles.