The West End has become a mecca for development: the Westgate townhomes along Wardlaw Street, Falls Walk townhomes on Oneal Street, the recently-completed Greene apartments along Main Street, the to-be-built mixed-use project for the property that sits across from Bex Cafe & Juice Bar... just to name a few.
We previously told you about land sold on Academy Street to make way for an assisted living facility, and last month, we told you about a massive mixed-use development that *may* be coming to the West End. We’ve gathered a bit more details (and a few renderings) to show you what the future of South Main may look like.
Merrill Gardens Senior Living |📍Crook St. + Payne St. at Academy St.
There’s now a proposal for a six-story, 138 unit assisted living facility along Academy Street (across the train tracks from Markley Station and along Payne + Crooks streets). The property sold for $5.1 million back in the fall of 2018. Merrill Gardens also has a location opening in Columbia in 2020.
The facility would also feature a pool and over 14,000 sq. ft. of courtyard space. You can see the developer’s full application with the City’s Design Review Board here.
The McClaren |📍322 Rhett St.
Rendering provided by Johnston Design Group
The McClaren (former site of the Ballentine Equipment Co.) runs parallel to the 400 Rhett apartments and backs up to Academy Street. The project calls for 244 apartments, 14,000+ sq. ft. of restaurant + retail space, and valet parking for up to 422 vehicles. The rooftop would include a pool that overlooks downtown’s cityscape, Academy Street, and Unity Park.
Plans also include two public access spaces – one on the corner of Rhett and Wardlaw Streets, and the other at the corner of Academy and Wardlaw. The goal is to better connect the West End to the planned Unity Park. The historic Ward Artist Studio (originally McClaren Medical Shelter, a private clinic built for the African American community in 1940) will be preserved and integrated into the design. You can check out the developer’s full application with the City’s Design Review Board here.
.408 Jackson |📍Field, Vardry, Augusta, and Markley Streets
A mixed-use development has been proposed for the current “Blue Building” triangular lot (24 Vardry St.) next to Fluor Field, across from Greenville High School. The five-story development would feature four retail storefronts, 237 apartments + plenty of parking.
Wondering where the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum will go? The property’s owner has given support to move the museum to the western corner of the property across from Fluor Field’s VIP entrance.
.408 Jackson got its name from Joe Jackson’s rookie season batting average, which still stands as a major league record. The project goes before the Design Review Board on April 4, and if given the go-ahead, the Blue Building on the property would be demolished in the fall with hopes of finishing construction by fall 2021.
