Learn about what we're up to

The Mill District is a hidden gem in Columbia, South Carolina. From its great location to eclectic events calendar and affordable housing, you can be sure that the Mill District is a great place to live and one of the best-kept secrets in the Columbia area. 

Location

The Mill District is one of the best locations in the Columbia area. Nestled away between the Congaree River and the University of South Carolina, the Whaley, Granby, and Olympia neighborhoods are the heart of downtown Columbia! The neighborhoods are a stone’s throw away from all of the best Columbia has to offer so it’s super easy to visit Soda City Market on Saturdays or enjoy a new place to eat and hang out downtown without having to travel far. 

The Mill District is also located near Williams-Brice Stadium and close to Colonial Life Arena where you can attend world-class concerts and sporting events. 

Proximity to USC

Enjoy being close to the beautiful campus of the University of South Carolina without having to live in the business district. The Mill District neighborhoods are less than a mile away from the Strom Thurmond Fitness and Wellness Center, the Koger Center for the Arts, Carolina Coliseum, and the Darla Moore School of Business. USC’s baseball stadium, Founders Park, is located in the heart of the Mill District so you can enjoy watching the  Gamecocks right in your own backyard. 

Outdoor Spaces

Speaking of your own backyard, the outdoor spaces in the Mill District make it an oasis nestled within the capital city of South Carolina. 

Olympia Park is located near the Congaree River and spans nearly five acres. The park features picnic tables, park benches, a jogging trail, and a playground set which makes it the perfect place to spend a family day at the park!

Pacific Park is a great place to practice your athletic skills. This park features a baseball diamond, basketball court, picnic tables, and playgrounds. Plus after you finish your practice or game, the park’s convenient location near Banh Mi Boys and Village Idiot Pizza means you can celebrate your win with some great food!

Take in beautiful views at the southernmost part of the Three Rivers Greenway at Granby Park. Enjoy the scenery in this urban forest and take advantage of the paved trails which make it perfect for going on a jog or taking family walks. Granby Park is also home to the community garden within the Mill District which you can learn more about here. 

Artists

If you are looking to unleash your inner artist or if you want to find an artist-friendly community, come check out the Mill District. We are home to the 701 Center for Contemporary Art which houses a variety of different art pieces from regional artists. Currently, CCA has three different exhibits: Taking Roots: The ArtFields Collection, SC Biennial 2023 Part I, and SC Biennial 2023 Part II. Learn more about and donate to 701 CCA here. 

If you want to experience art in the wild, be sure to check out the Mill District’s Art Trail. Follow The Art Trail through the Mill District to see eleven different pieces from local artists. Check out more information about the Art Trail here. 

701 Whaley

The Mill District is home to one of the best event venues in Columbia, 701 Whaley! The space has a variety of different options for you to rent depending on your event needs. 701 Whaley is great for office meetings, award ceremonies, and of course weddings. The space was even featured in Southern Living Magazine as one of the best places to get married in South Carolina. 

Learn more about 701 here.

701 is also home to The Hallway Gallery which features a rotating array of works from various local artists. The current artist is Mary Howe but past exhibitors have included Thomas Washington and Caroline Moore. Come out today to take in all of the beautiful artwork at 701!

Neighborhood Community 

If you’re looking for a friendly neighborhood, then look no further than the Mill District! We always have events going on where neighbors and friends can get together and learn more about each other. Building a strong neighborhood community is one of our most important values and it’s one of the reasons the Mill District is the best place to live. Check out some of our most recent events here. 

The Mill District is also one of the most affordable areas to own a house or rent an apartment making it the perfect place for new college graduates and young families to live. The district is home to six different apartment complexes and also boasts a median home price of $165,000 dollars. The community is also one of the safest in the greater Columbia area. 

Come out today and see the Mill District for yourself so you can experience Columbia’s best-kept secret in-person. We hope to see you here soon!