New 100-Room Hotel Approved for Columbia’s Vista Neighborhood

In a recent development, residents and visitors to Columbia’s Vista district can look forward to the construction of a new, four-story, 123-room hotel. The hotel, which is planned to occupy prime real estate at the corner of Huger and Senate streets, is the latest part of the neighborhood’s ongoing growth.

Approval after Disputes

The approval for the hotel was decided by the city’s Design and Development Review Commission at a meeting held on July 25. The decision follows contention over access to the hotel’s parking lot which was eventually approved. Originally proposed in 2020, the project was paused when the property was sold to another developer. The new owner has been resubmitting the project through city channels since then.

Addressing Traffic Concerns

The state Department of Transportation has ordered the developer to add a concrete median to Huger Street, which would block right-hand turns into the parking lot. The developer successfully argued that removing the planned Senate Street access point would increase congestion and worsen the traffic situation in the area, leading to the acceptance of the plan with the Senate Street access.

Neighborhood Reactions

While several residents of the neighboring City Club community initially expressed concerns about the Senate Street access attracting more traffic into their neighborhood, most appear to now accept the commission’s decision. However, one commission member, Charles Leedecker, opposed the decision, referencing procedural issues and potential danger to pedestrians on Senate Street due to the additional access.

Hotel Features & Plans

The proposed hotel will feature a variety of amenities, including a lobby, gym, dining area with a covered patio on the first floor, as well as 121 parking spaces within a surface lot. Initially proposed as a five-story, 130-room construction, the hotel plan has been toned down to become more agreeable with local communities.

The developer now plans to begin acquiring updated permits and commence construction as soon as possible. This decision follows the purchase of the formerly vacant lots that will now house the hotel by Huger Senate Hotel Associates back in 2021, for sums amounting to $2.2 million.

City’s Development Plans Reflects Growing Opportunities

The new hotel and approved access point contrast the city’s long-term plans for the Innovista Design District area. These plans advocate for pedestrian and bike traffic and direct vehicles through major thoroughfares.

This development is a significant part of a wider push by the city to develop land near the Congaree River, to create a more connected and pedestrian-friendly city. The ultimate goal is to extend Lincoln Street from Gervais to Blossom streets, connect it to Huger via a new road bridge, and lure more citizens and visitors to the riverfront for recreation.