Spartanburg Set to Welcome New Architectural Additions to Cityscape

Spartanburg Set to Welcome New Architectural Additions to Cityscape

December 6, 2024

Seems like downtown Spartanburg is ready to embrace a fresh look as plans for a seven-story office building receive preliminary approval. The office building, fittingly named Grain District Office Building, takes center stage in this architectural revamp, promising to bring a significant increase in the downtown’s available office space. But that’s not all! A 48-unit apartment complex, called Danbury Commons, is also in the pipeline and set to grace Spartanburg’s northside.

The Grain District Office Building

On December 3, the City of Spartanburg’s Design Review Board unanimously gave the green light to the new office building slated to be erected at 245 W. Main St. This massive building boasting approximately 136,000 square feet of space, will become a prominent figure in Spartanburg’s cityscape, standing west of the AC Hotel, adjacent to the parking garage, and ballpark currently under construction.

This venture forms part of a colossal $425 million downtown baseball stadium project, famously known as Project Core, being carried out by the Johnson Group. Not just a structure, but a speculative office building, potential tenants are yet to be determined. However, William Gray, an agent in support of the application, seemed quite optimistic about the building’s future occupation status.

“This is very unique for Spartanburg. We were very fortunate as a community to have this,” he remarked.

Concerns and Constructive Criticism

Naturally, not everyone is fully onboard with the upcoming additions. One resident, Stephen Sykes, had reservations regarding the building’s pedestrian-friendly aspect, although he expressed appreciation for its design. Feedback from some board members echoed similar concerns, pointing out the building’s close resemblance to the nearby parking garage and AC Hotel, and suggesting an enhancement to the pedestrian experience by widening the nearby sidewalk.

However, these are hurdles the new building will likely overcome as it has only received preliminary approval and is yet to receive full and final approval – a unique opportunity to address raised issues.

The Danbury Commons: Affordable Living on the Northside

Setting foot in the residential realm, the proposed Danbury Commons, a 48-unit, four-story apartment complex, serves as another notable addition to Spartanburg. The complex is planned for a 1.96-acre site currently occupied by a closed dialysis center at 203 Fremont Ave. Alongside providing affordable housing, the project plans include a parking lot and a detention pond.

A Lexington-based company, Connelly Development, is leading the application process for this potential complex, which attracted concerns about lighting conditions around the site to prevent nighttime car accidents. As for the time frame, construction is expected to commence in the summer of 2025.

The Danbury Commons outlines a mix of one-bedroom (850 sq. ft.) and two-bedroom units (1,070 sq. ft.). The affordability factor shines brightly here, with rents starting as low as $200 a month, reaching up to $1,085, offering a breath of fresh economic air for prospective tenants. Just like the office building, this apartment complex also requires full and final approval – another opportunity for stakeholders to address concerns and make this vision a reality.

In the end, Spartanburg is looking forward to significant urban and architectural changes with bated breath, eager to embrace its evolving skyline and the promising growth it suggests.