| The revitalization of Downtown Greenville is a 25 | | | | themselves to their master plan, resulting in an |
| year success story. This extensive | | | | area where residents can live, work and play. |
| redevelopment project has resulted in a large | | | | The Central Business District covers about 300 |
| central business district, a sought after residential | | | | acres, and within this lies 3 million square feet of |
| area and the creation of numerous cultural, dining | | | | office space, the largest concentration in the |
| and entertainment venues. | | | | region. It boasts a variety of spaces ranging from |
| Located midway between Atlanta and Charlotte, | | | | high-rise Class A office space to renovated |
| downtown Greenville is now one of the fastest | | | | historic warehouses and buildings. |
| growing areas in the country; however, business | | | | Offices representing almost every major bank in |
| was not always booming here. Traditional | | | | the Southeast are situated downtown. In fact, all |
| downtown retailers took a big hit in the | | | | major legal, financial and government buildings are |
| 1960’s with the advent of enclosed malls and | | | | located in this region. |
| shopping centers. Downtown Greenville was | | | | Over 70 restaurants and pubs thrive here with |
| littered with vacant buildings and few residents. | | | | revenue totaling more than $50 million. |
| Determined not to let this vital part of the city | | | | With over 130 retail shops, downtown retail sales |
| turn into a wasteland, the city planners began a | | | | totaled over $110 million. Over 700 hotel rooms |
| redevelopment of the downtown area. | | | | are located in the downtown area alone. |
| The first step involved changing the whole | | | | The residential sector in Downtown Greenville is |
| persona of Main Street. The street’s four | | | | booming and has become a preferred place to |
| lanes were reduced to two, angled parking was | | | | live. Currently, there are over 1,200 residential |
| added, trees were planted on both sides of the | | | | units and another 630 units under construction, |
| street and decorative light fixtures were installed. | | | | offering a large selection of homes such as the |
| Parks and small plazas were also added. Moving | | | | revived character houses in historical |
| into the 1970’s, Downtown Greenville’s | | | | neighborhoods of Park Avenue, Hampton |
| cold, empty city streets had been transformed | | | | Pinckney and Pettigru. Conveniently located to |
| into a charming neighborhood with character. | | | | work and shopping, Main Street offers housing |
| By the 1980’s Greenville had developed a | | | | that varies from studio apartments to luxurious |
| new image, but it was time for the retail sector | | | | condominiums. |
| to be revitalized. The Greenville Commons/Hyatt | | | | Home to over 300 events each year, there is no |
| Regency became the City’s first luxury | | | | shortage of downtown celebrations. One of the |
| convention hotel. A Downtown Master Plan was | | | | most popular draws are the weekly downtown |
| developed outlining the creation of a dynamic | | | | concerts ranging from folk to jazz occurring from |
| community complete with residential areas, retail | | | | March through October. |
| and office space and various entertainment | | | | The City also prides itself in the Greenville county |
| venues. | | | | Art Museum, a number of private galleries, and |
| The 1990’s brought large developments, | | | | live theatre venues. |
| including the creation of the Peace Center for the | | | | The last area slated for development was the |
| Performing Arts, and their contribution of world | | | | previously neglected Reedy River. The City of |
| class productions such as Phantom of the Opera | | | | Greenville along with other committed individuals |
| and Riverdance. | | | | have cleaned up a section along the river and |
| For sports and concert enthusiasts, the 16,000 | | | | transformed the 26 surrounding acres into Falls |
| seat BI-LO Center was constructed. | | | | Park. This major regional attraction comes |
| In an effort to boost the historical district, The | | | | complete with landscaped gardens, walking trails, a |
| West End Market was conceived, providing a | | | | pedestrian bridge and waterfalls. |
| variety of shops, restaurants and office space. | | | | The city has recently met to revive the |
| Presently, a thriving downtown Greenville is | | | | Downtown Master Plan in an effort to continue |
| reaping the benefits of many years of | | | | moving forward and ensure the continued |
| development. They’ve successfully aligned | | | | success of downtown Greensville. |