COLUMBIA — A first glimpse has been released for a proposed 27-story apartment tower on Main Street and how the project could redefine the city's skyline.

Chicago-based student housing developer Core Spaces has proposed the nearly 300-foot-tall building on a parcel occupied by a parking lot on the block bordered by Main, Hampton, Washington and Assembly streets.

The $225 million project would bring 719 new apartments and over 2,000 beds to downtown. It would be the tallest addition to the city’s skyline in nearly 40 years.

1415 Main St elevation

Initial renderings have been published for a proposed 27-story apartment tower on Columbia's Main Street.

Plans call for a 27-story apartment portion of the tower facing Main Street, to be joined by a 22-story student housing section fronting Assembly Street.

Designs from Atlanta architecture firm Dwell Design Studio show the building with a mostly brown-and-gray façade, with brick and metal design elements.

The buildings would be served by an 11-level, 1,500-plus spot parking garage fronting Hampton and Assembly streets. The new parking garage would supply 450 spaces to the city’s office building that would be free to the public on nights and weekends.

1415 Main St Main St entrance

The Main St entrance of the proposed 27-story apartment tower.

The ground floor of the tower will house some retail space, and the parking garage will be decorated with glass-enclosed art display spaces along the sidewalks, according to city documents.

The city’s zoning board approved the proposal on May 1. The next hurdle for the project will be the Design and Development Review Commission vote on May 15, which will weigh in on the building’s design and appearance.

1415 Main Street Columbia

A developer is asking for an exception from Columbia's limit on bedrooms in off-campus dorms for a lot at 1415 Main St.

Proponents, including the zoning board, say the project will bring more foot traffic to Main Street, as well as bring market-rate units along with student housing.

Developer Core Spaces also owns The Hub, the private student housing complex that took over the former SCANA headquarters across the street in 2014.

Caleb Bozard covers business, growth and development for the Post & Courier Columbia. He has previously written for The State and the Times and Democrat. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2023.

Growth & Development Reporter

Caleb Bozard covers business, growth and development for The Post and Courier Columbia. He has previously written for The State and the Times and Democrat. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2023.