Deep Dive into What’s New & Coming Soon to Columbia, SC in 2025
Thank you for checking out my content. i help families move to and from the south carolina midlands and meet a lot of clients through my website and would love to connect with you, click here to contacT ME.
Columbia, South Carolina, is gearing up for a landmark year in 2025, with a wave of exciting new developments that will reshape the city’s future. From new restaurants and retail in the BullStreet District, to high-rise apartments downtown, to major housing communities in Southeast Columbia, the capital city is buzzing with growth. Add in the revitalization of Finlay Park, sustainable projects like the Marion Street Bioretention system, and large-scale housing initiatives such as Broad Vista Towns and Pickens Corner student housing, and it’s clear Columbia is evolving into a more modern, connected, and vibrant city.
Whether you’re a longtime resident, a student at the University of South Carolina, or someone considering moving to the Midlands, knowing what’s new and coming soon to Columbia SC in 2025 is essential. This guide highlights the city’s most important projects—covering dining, housing, infrastructure, and community improvements—while showing how they will impact quality of life, real estate, and the local economy.
Columbia is no longer just the political center of South Carolina; it’s quickly becoming a hub for culinary innovation, sustainable growth, and modern urban living. Let’s take a closer look at everything set to make 2025 one of the most transformative years in Columbia’s history.
Gather COLA at BullStreet, Columbia’s First Open-Air Food Hall
One of the most anticipated additions is Gather COLA, an expansive open-air food hall inspired by Greenville’s popular Gather GVL. Set to open in late 2025, this 32,000-plus square-foot destination will feature nine food vendors, two bars, a rooftop terrace with city views, pop-up retail stalls, flexible office space, and a vibrant outdoor plaza for events.
What makes Gather COLA special is its role as more than just a dining venue. It’s a place where chefs, retailers, entrepreneurs, and neighbors converge. By anchoring itself in the 181-acre BullStreet District, a redevelopment already known for its mix of historic preservation, modern living, and green space, Gather COLA is poised to become a centerpiece of community life in Columbia.
Twin High-Rise Towers — Columbia’s Skyline Redefined
For the first time in nearly 40 years, Columbia’s skyline is about to change dramatically. Two new towers, one 27 stories and the other 22 stories tall, are planned for the heart of downtown. Together, they will provide hundreds of new housing units, split between market-rate apartments and student housing.
At nearly 300 feet tall, these towers will not only reshape the skyline but also signal Columbia’s shift toward higher density living. With more residents choosing to live downtown, the city’s core will benefit from greater walkability, economic activity, and an energized urban feel.
Pickens Corner — Student Housing Near USC
In the Rosewood neighborhood, just blocks from the University of South Carolina, construction is underway on Pickens Corner. This modern student housing development will deliver 60 beds across three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath townhome-style units. Completion is expected in August 2025, perfectly timed for the fall semester.
The project offers more than just beds—it provides an upgraded living experience for USC students in a location that balances convenience with a neighborhood feel. It’s part of the broader trend of high-quality student housing replacing outdated stock and giving Columbia’s next generation of residents better options.
Broad Vista Towns — New Residential Growth on Broad River Road
Broad Vista Towns will bring over 200 new townhomes to Broad River Road, expanding Columbia’s housing supply in one of the city’s key growth corridors. While traffic concerns remain a topic of discussion, the development demonstrates the demand for suburban-style living within close proximity to downtown and surrounding job centers.
This project reflects the dual nature of Columbia’s growth in 2025: densification downtown with high-rises and food halls, balanced by suburban expansion where families and first-time buyers can find accessible housing.
Cameron Ridge Expansion — Nearly 300 Homes in Southeast Columbia
Southeast Columbia is preparing for a major residential boost with the proposed Cameron Ridge expansion. Plans call for nearly 300 homes near Garners Ferry and Caughman Roads. This project highlights the city’s strategic push to encourage growth in under-served corridors, providing much-needed housing opportunities in an area that has historically seen slower development.
The expansion could help stimulate retail, services, and infrastructure improvements in the southeast, making it one of the more impactful suburban additions in Columbia’s near future.
Finlay Park Revitalization — Breathing New Life into Downtown’s Signature Park
Finlay Park, long considered Columbia’s “living room,” is undergoing a $24 million overhaul set to conclude in 2025. The redesign includes a rebuilt fountain, a new stage for live music, walking gardens, scenic overlooks, and updated public art installations.
This renovation is more than cosmetic—it restores one of the city’s most important civic spaces as a gathering spot for festivals, concerts, and everyday recreation. Once complete, Finlay Park will stand as a symbol of Columbia’s commitment to creating beautiful, functional spaces for its residents.
Marion Street Bioretention Project — Sustainability Meets Infrastructure
Columbia is also making strides in green infrastructure with the Marion Street Bioretention Project. This $1.9 million initiative introduces a series of rain gardens designed to filter stormwater, reduce flooding, and improve water quality. Native plants and upgraded stormwater systems will help ease pressure on local watersheds while adding greenery to the city’s streetscape.
This project represents a broader commitment to resilience and sustainability, ensuring that Columbia grows in a way that balances development with environmental responsibility.
BullStreet District master plan Columbia, SC
Table of Contents
Introduction: Columbia’s Next Big Chapter
Gather COLA at BullStreet — Columbia’s First Open-Air Food Hall
Twin High-Rise Towers — Columbia’s Skyline Redefined
Pickens Corner — Student Housing Near USC
Broad Vista Towns — New Residential Growth on Broad River Road
Cameron Ridge Expansion — Nearly 300 Homes in Southeast Columbia
Finlay Park Revitalization — Breathing New Life into Downtown’s Signature Park
Marion Street Bioretention Project — Sustainability Meets Infrastructure
Vision 2030 — Safeguarding Affordable Housing
Urban Design & Mobility — Building a More Walkable Columbia
BullStreet District master plan Columbia, SC
Vision 2030 — Safeguarding Affordable Housing
While cranes and construction dominate the skyline, Columbia Housing is looking ahead with its Vision 2030 plan. Over the past two decades, the number of public housing units in the city has decreased significantly. Vision 2030 is designed to protect, preserve, and expand affordable housing options, ensuring that Columbia’s growth does not come at the cost of equity or accessibility.
By focusing on both maintaining existing units and integrating affordability into new developments, Vision 2030 aims to keep Columbia a city where all residents can find a place to call home.
Urban Design & Mobility — Building a More Walkable Columbia
In 2025, Columbia adopted updated urban design guidelines that emphasize pedestrian-friendly development and lively public spaces. This is complemented by new infrastructure improvements, including buffered bike lanes on River Drive that connect to the city’s trail system and improve cycling safety.
Together, these updates represent a cultural shift: Columbia is designing not just for cars, but for people. As density grows and downtown activity increases, these mobility enhancements will become essential to maintaining quality of life.
Best Real Estate Agent on Lake Murray South Carolina, Patrick O’Connor
An Exciting Year Ahead for Columbia, SC
Columbia’s 2025 development wave is nothing short of transformative. From Gather COLA’s vibrant food hall and the skyline-changing towers downtown to the thoughtful revitalization of Finlay Park and the sustainability goals of the Marion Street bioretention system, each project tells a story about where the city is headed.
This is a Columbia that’s growing taller, greener, and more inclusive. A Columbia that balances modern urban living with suburban expansion. A Columbia that’s preparing not just for the present but for the decades ahead.
For residents, business owners, and visitors alike, 2025 will be a year to watch closely—because the city we know today will look and feel very different tomorrow.
About Patrick O’Connor
Patrick O'Connor is the founder and leader of The Patrick O'Connor Team at Coldwell Banker, specializing in real estate across the SC Midlands and on Lake Murray. As a top realtor, he has assisted over 1,500 families in buying and selling homes, generating over $500 million in sales volume. Recognized as the #1 Coldwell Banker team in South Carolina, Patrick brings unparalleled expertise in the Midlands of South Carolina real estate market, earning accolades for his dedication and success in the industry.
