$65 million project finds its place on the Reedy
Wednesday, March 09, 2005Francis B. Allgood, Managing Editor
Greenville leaders have long dreamed of expanding the central business district along the Reedy River with some kind of environmentally-friendly, mixed-use project. For months the lone name associated with possible development was private developer Bob Hughes.
Not anymore.
The City of Greenville has approved a public/private partnership for a massive $65 million project involving nine buildings including a 100-room hotel and residential, retail and office space. In addition to Hughes, Cooper Carry, Allora, LLC, Innocenti & Webel and Windsor/Aughtry Company have committed to the project.
"This is more than simply a project that's on the river, it's a catalyst for development. The heart and soul of this project is connectivity," says Roger Miller of Cooper Carry, a full-service design firm for the project.
Named RiverPlace, the first phase of the project will include at least 50 residential units, an 87,000 square foot office building, a new Hampton Inn & Suites and commercial space for shops and restaurants. Underneath residences and the hotel will be additional riverfront space for artists.
The development is located between South Main Street and River Street on the southern side of the Reedy River. Hughes says 90% of the planning stages for Phase I is complete.
"Any one component of this project standing alone would be something that we would all be proud of," says Mayor Knox White.
Phase I is expected to be completed by July 2005, with two additional phases to take place over the next seven years.
Following years of a vibrant restaurant market, residential projects have picked up steam downtown. Allora, a design/build architecture firm, is planning to build four stories of one and two bedroom condominiums at RiverPlace. Bill Santerini of Allora says the company will build 40 units starting at approximately $150,000.
Windsor/Aughtry will invest $12 million to $15 million in the development of the Hampton Inn and 12 luxury riverfront residences from 1,250 to over 3,000 square feet. Bo Aughtry, broker-in-charge of the commercial division, says units will sell for about $300,000 to as high as $700,000. The hotel will include a fine-dining, riverfront establishment.
"These partnerships are not always seen in other cities," Aughtry says. " What we have here is an investment on the part of the public sector that really enables the private sector to do business, and they each take an appropriate role."
As part of the project, the city is responsible for the construction and operation of a 550-space parking facility, improvements to the adjacent streetscapes, and work on existing and proposed riverwalk connections.
"These plans are just really spectacular," says Ben Haskey, president of the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce. "This really proves our vision with our leaders in the community and the power of working together."
"You have to understand that Buck Mickel, Tommy Wyche and I would walk this site when Haywood Mall was under construction. We thought something great was going to happen here," says Rick Webel of Innocenti & Webel.
As part of Phase I, Innocenti & Webel, a land planning and architectural firm with local offices in Columbia, has been charged with designing a fountain to link the river to the city. The waterfall drops four levels, 22 feet from the plaza level to the river, with pedestrian walkways to give the feeling of going up a mountain stream.
The water feature will include interactive fountains and wading pools for children, with nearby terraces designated for proposed restaurant locations. Located in the center of RiverPlace, the waterfall is directly across from the Peace Center's outdoor amphitheater.
"I hope it comes off as well as we all think it will," Webel says.
According to Hughes, additional office, retail and residential space will be added as the project continues to evolve. No prospects for commercial or office space have been identified.
Category: Economic