You don’t need a crystal ball to see what’s in store for Charleston in 2020 –
2020 will be a big deal for Charleston: This year, the city will celebrate its 350th birthday. But for all of the history we’ve amassed over the last three-and-a-half centuries, we have plenty more in the making. This year, we’re expecting to see the completion of several major developments – just in time for even more new projects to break ground.
We checked up on some of the biggest in-progress developments that are expected to open in the tri-county in 2020.
1. Charleston Tech Center, 997 Morrison Dr.
The Charleston Tech Center is expected to open this year on Morrison Drive, by Romney Street. In addition to a six-floor office building, plans for this development include a retail tenant on its ground floor, a courtyard + outdoor park, and a parking deck. The building will serve in part as the home of Flagship3 – a business incubator launched by Charleston Digital Corridor, which signed on as a permanent tenant of the space.
2. MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital & Pearl Tourville Women’s Pavilion, 10 McClennan Banks Dr.
After some construction delays, the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital & Pearl Tourville Women’s Pavilion is now on track to open sometime in 2020. The 11-story, 624,000 sqft facility will be home to the only pediatric burn unit, level I trauma center for children, + solid-organ and bone marrow transplant programs in the state. It will have ~250 beds, and will feature some “couplet rooms” where new mothers + babies will be able to recover together.
2. The Harbour Club at 22 WestEdge
Beginning in May 2020, the Harbour Club will take over the entire 7th floor of the newly completed 22 WestEdge building. The club, which will be available to rent for events, will boast panoramic views of the Peninsula, and it will have an outdoor terrace that overlooks the Ashley River.
4. The North Charleston / DD2 Aquatics Center, 8500 Patriot Blvd.
Set to open this spring right by Fort Dorchester High School, the aquatics center will include a 50 meter, ten-lane pool; a 25-yard, therapeutic pool; a warm-up pool; locker rooms; a pro shop; and a concessions stand.
5. A new parking deck at Charleston International Airport
Construction of a 5-level parking deck (right behind the existing garage) at the Charleston International Airport appears to be nearing completion. When it opens to travelers, the airport will be able to accommodate more than 3,000 additional cars.
6. The Refinery, 1640 Meeting St.
A multi-use development called The Refinery is coming to the Upper Peninsula in fall 2020. The development includes a three-story, mixed-use building with room for a restaurant on its ground floor, and office space on its second + third floors. Outside, there will be a balcony on the second floor, and an onsite amphitheater surrounded by green space.
7. Garco Mill, 4900 O’Hear Ave.
The historic old factory building + surrounding 40 acres of land at Garco Mill is being redeveloped into office and retail space, alongside a 20,000 sqft food hall. So far, the coworking space Serendipity Labs has announced it will open at Garco Mill in March 2020 – but we’re still waiting for an opening date to be set on the food hall.
8. Alorica Call Center expansion, 4275 Bridge View Dr., North Charleston
An estimated 300 jobs will be created with the expansion of Alorica’s call center in North Charleston. The $1.2 million project is expected to be complete by the end of 2020.
9. The Merchant + Foundry Point, on Huguenin Ave.
Construction of each of these two neighboring apartment complexes in NoMo is expected to be complete in 2020. Together, the two will add more than 300 apartment units to the neck area.
10. The Jasper, 310 Broad St.
The 12-story, luxury apartment complex is being constructed on the site of the former Sergeant Jasper apartment building (hence its name). In addition to apartment units, the plans for the building include 25,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail space, + 75,000 sq. ft. of office space.
11. Firefly Distillery, 1135 Rome Ln., North Charleston
What was formerly a landfill at 1135 Rome Ln. (near Park Circle) will soon be the home of the brand’s beloved sweet tea vodka. Set to open in January 2020, the owners plan to avoid paving and instead incorporate green space + more than 300 trees. Features at the new location will include a tasting room, gift shop, and distillery.
2021 + Beyond
While we included only developments set to open in 2020 on this list, here are a few projects we’ve got our eyes on a little further down the road:
○ The completion of the Charleston Harbor deepening project + the opening of the new Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal in North Charleston is on track for 2021
○ Construction of the International African American Museum is set to finish in 2021, with hopes to open it by the end of the year.
○ The expansion of Joe Riley Waterfront Park + the construction of a new, waterfront hotel right by it is on track for a 2020 opening. (Credit: Charleston Today)
For more information about Charleston SC, please contact THE BRENNAMAN GROUP – 843.345.6074 – bob@charlestonproperty.net – www.brennamangroup.com
