Columbia City Council Lifts Height Restrictions for Innovista District

News Summary

The Columbia City Council voted unanimously on April 1, 2025, to lift the 75-foot height restriction on new buildings in the Innovista District. This transformative decision enables taller structures that will reshape Columbia’s skyline and foster the development of much-needed hotel projects near the Convention Center. The focus is to address current accommodation demands, essential for hosting larger events and attracting tourism, while still preserving historic areas from high-rise encroachments.

Columbia City Council Makes Big Moves for the Innovista District

Columbia is buzzing with excitement after the City Council made a groundbreaking decision on April 1, 2025. In a unanimous vote, the council lifted the 75-foot height restriction on new buildings in the *Innovista District*. This change is a game-changer for the area, allowing for taller structures that promise to reshape Columbia’s skyline and boost downtown hotel development.

A New Look for Innovista

The Innovista District, nestled between Gervais Street to the north, Catawba Street to the south, Assembly Street to the east, and the Congaree River to the west, is on the verge of transformation. By letting developers put up taller buildings, the city aims to increase density and establish a vibrant downtown core. And guess what? The council’s primary focus is bringing in a much-needed hotel project right next to the Columbia Convention Center.

Why the Hotel is So Important

Now, you might be wondering why a hotel is such a big deal. Well, it turns out that the current land size was simply too small for builders to work with under the old height limits. A full-service hotel is seen as crucial for attracting convention center visitors and hosting larger events that can bring in valuable tourism dollars. Columbia has faced unresolved issues in hosting NCAA events, all thanks to a lack of sufficient full-service hotels. In the past, the city could only host these events by means of waivers, which is far from ideal.

Protecting Historic Areas

One of the great aspects of this new ordinance is that restrictions on building heights will still stay intact in historic overlays, particularly along Gervais Street and in residential neighborhoods. This is good news for locals concerned about high-rises encroaching into their peaceful areas. After all, who wants to see skyscrapers blocking their view?

Hotel Boom in Columbia

Columbia is in a hotel boom, and it’s not hard to see why! Several exciting new projects are popping up all over the city. In *The Vista entertainment district*, developers are rolling out new hotels that are set to deliver over 570 additional hotel rooms. The *Homewood Suites* and *Tru by Hilton* are on track to open in January 2025, and a four-story hotel at Huger and Senate streets is expected to break ground soon.

Exciting Developments on the Horizon

But that’s not all! The *Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista*, a unique boutique hotel, is under development and is scheduled to open in Fall 2025. This gem is being built by transforming the old Columbia Central Fire Station and will partner with the University of South Carolina.

Eager for more? The *Hotel Trundle* has plans to expand their footprint into *The Vista* with a new 41-room boutique hotel located in the former Epes-Fitzgerald Paper Company building, set to open in early 2026. And let’s not overlook the ambitious *Vista Depot Hotels and Apartments project*, which is striving to construct a whopping 301-room Hyatt hotel, a 183-unit apartment building, and a parking garage right near the convention center.

The Road Ahead

With the lifting of height limitations, Columbia is positioning itself to attract a hotel that will finally support the needs of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. This move is designed not only to meet current accommodation demands but also to enhance the overall appeal of the downtown area. If all goes according to plan, we might soon be talking about Columbia not just as a charming city but as a rising star in the hotel and convention landscape.

So, keep your eyes peeled, Columbia! Exciting changes are on the way!

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Additional Resources

• Columbia Business Report
• Lodging Magazine
• Post and Courier
• Colliers
• Wikipedia: Columbia, South Carolina