With the brand-new BullStreet District development manifesting a neighborhood with amenities that rival its downtown convention core, Columbia, South Carolina, is a city on the rise in a region that is one of the fastest growing in the U.S.
“The Bull Street District is a huge project that has been in development for over a decade and is kind of becoming this burgeoning meetings district, too,” said Dayna Cantelmi, communications manager for Experience Columbia SC. “They’ve already had an event venue there for a few years called Central Energy, which is a really great space that’s kind of a blank canvas. But then you also have Segra Park, which is the stadium for our minor league baseball team, and they have meeting space there as well. And now we have this new event venue called The Laundry that just opened in April of this year.”
BullStreet, rising from the former site of the South Carolina State Hospital’s 182-acre campus, is becoming a self-contained draw.
“With all of these different spots to meet, people could stay the whole day in BullStreet, and now we have restaurants coming online and coffee shops there, too,” Cantelmi said. “It’s also right off one of the interstates, so for anyone driving in, it’s really convenient.”
The South Carolina capital also has a downtown convention core with the 142,500-square-foot Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center and many dining and entertainment venues.
“The Vista district has been our existing meetings district for a while, with the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center located there and hotels within walking distance, plus 60-plus restaurants and bars for entertainment,” Cantelmi said. “Main Street as well has a few different meeting venues, too.”
[Related: Boutique Hotels Are Booming in South Carolina. Here’s Why You Should Consider Them for Meetings]
4 Fantastic Offsites
The Laundry
This new venue is a historic renovation that is one of the primary event options in the burgeoning BullStreet District. The Italianate-influenced venue offers nearly 8,000 square feet of indoor space and The Grove green space, which is framed by towering trees and a popular outdoor reception venue.
701 Whaley
Another restored historic building, this community center in the former Mill Village offers unique event spaces, the 701 Center for Contemporary Art and a showcase space for local artists. Its Grand Hall features large windows and 6,000 square feet of space, with original white columns and a grand staircase that speaks to the history of the facility.
Stone River
Boasting views of the Congaree River—fitting in well with the destination’s new 3RVRS branding and waterfront development initiative—Stone River features an indoor reception area, covered porch and pavilion, stone fireplace and a green space for outdoor events.
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
The 170-acre Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is home to more than 3,000 animals and operates a robust special event business, with options in a variety of lush environments served by a team of event specialists. Groups of 500 or more can arrange for a full park buyout. The zoo also just opened the Saluda Sky Ride gondola across the Saluda River.
Getting There
Columbia is located in central South Carolina, roughly 95 miles south of Charlotte, N.C. Its airport is Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), located a few miles from the city center. Major airlines include American, Delta and United, with nonstop flights to several major hubs such as Atlanta, New York and Charlotte, N.C.
