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The historic Mill District is located in the heart of Columbia, SC, and offers convenient access to unique living options, established local businesses, and great things to do! Below are some of the highlights of living, working, eating, and thriving in the Mill District.

Living

The Mill District is full of great and affordable places to live, having both apartments and houses that are available in the area.

Houses

If you are looking to own your first home, then look no further than the Mill District! The Mill District has some of the most affordable homes in the city center, with a median sales price of $165,000. This community is also one of the safest in the Columbia area.

Contact local real estate agents Scott Donaldson, Caroline Donaldson, Jeff Lawler, Elizabeth Wolfe, Hannah Norman, or Graeme Moore to find a Mill District home for you today.

Saltboxes

The historic saltbox homes come in both single-family and duplex styles and are great for young professionals and families. Originally built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, these homes were built in the Olympia and Granby neighborhoods so that the mill employees could easily walk to work. The saltboxes come in three, four, and six-room models.

Visitors

Visitors to the Columbia area can also experience the historic Mill District! A few Airbnb properties are scattered throughout the community. Find one for your stay here. 

Apartments

If apartment living is more your style, the Mill District boasts renovated historical apartments in the Olympia and Granby Mills as well as new developments like Rivers Edge which overlooks, you guessed it, the Congaree River.

Olympia and Granby Mills Apartments

These apartments are found in the renovated Olympia and Granby Mills that were a part of the Whaley Mills. These apartments are great for students and young professionals and offer spacious floor plans and a range of community amenities. 

Olympia Mills offers one to four-bedroom apartments that range from $885 to $3100 All apartments offer spacious floor plans, in-unit washers and dryers, and hardwood floors. 

Granby Mills has both two and four-bedroom apartments that start at $1300 and $2200 respectively. Granby apartments also offer spacious floor plans, hardwood floors, and 20-foot ceilings. 

Community amenities include a fitness center with free classes, a large pool, pickleball, tennis, basketball, and sand volleyball courts, billiards, a business center, and evening community guards.

Find out more about these apartments and leasing opportunities here.

Rivers Edge at Carolina Stadium

Rivers Edge offers one, two, and three-bedroom models all with a stunning view of the Congaree River. The apartments are priced at $1,410, $810, and $910 respectively. These apartments lease through individual leases meaning that each person living in the apartment pays an individual rental fee.

Apartment amenities include a balcony or patio, in-unit washer and dryer, large closets, stainless steel appliances, and valet trash pick-up. Select apartments also come furnished. Community amenities include a resort-style pool, pet park, outdoor kitchen, fitness studio, sand volleyball and basketball courts, and game lounge. 

Get more information about these apartments here.

Working

The Mill District is home to a variety of local businesses that serve many of your needs.

Grow Antiques

Find your next hidden treasure at Grow Antiques. Located at the edge of the Mill District on Bluff Road, Grow Antiques is full of eclectic pieces waiting for a great home. Find out more about them here.

The Beautique

Come relax for a day and leave feeling amazing at the day spa The Beautique, located within 701 Whaley. The Beautique offers a variety of services including facials, waxing, skin tightening, hydrofacials, and microneedling. Book your appointment here.

Frenzy Tees

Get all of your custom t-shirt needs met with local Mill District business Frenzy Tees. Enjoy flexible and fast order times and get the best t-shirts for your local event or organization. Order your t-shirts here.

Eating

The Mill District has many great restaurants that are sure to satisfy any cravings you might have.

Banh Mi Boys

Focusing on what’s referred to as the “Vietnamese Po Boy,” Banh Mi Boys was started in Louisiana and opened their first South Carolina location in the Mill District. You can try several different Banh Mi sandwiches including the Viet Ham, Grilled Pork, Fried Tofu, and Bang Bang Shrimp. View their full menu here.

Village Idiot Pizza

Village Idiot Pizza opened its Mill District location in 2015 and they specialize in specialty pizzas. Some of their most popular ones include The Octopus Garden, Italian Flag, and Rucker. Find more of Village Idiot’s amazing menu here.

Enzo’s Sputino

Enjoy delicious Italian food at Enzo’s new location in the Mill District. Try a variety of food including bagel breakfast sandwiches, hot paninis, and cold sandwiches. Check out Enzo’s full menu here.

Thriving

There are so many things to do in the Mill District! The district offers parks, a museum, and an art center among others – all great ways to pass the time and enjoy the area around you.

Mill District Art Trail

Explore the Mill District and take in unique pieces of art located all around the district. Conceived in 2017 as a way to link all three mill district neighborhoods, the art installations are located in several different spots. Learn more about this project here and see if you can find all 11 pieces of art! 

701 Center for Contemporary Art

Housed inside 701 Whaley, this hidden gem features museum-quality contemporary art. The center is completely free to visit but donations are greatly appreciated. The center also houses a rotating artist-in-residence who teaches classes in their area of expertise. Find out more information here.

Olympia Park

Enjoy a wonderful outdoor day with your family at the stunning Olympia Park. Take a picnic lunch or dinner and enjoy your meal while watching your children play on the playground. Olympia Park and the neighboring Rocky Branch Creek are situated in an urban forest so you are sure to have lots of shade and nature around you. 

Granby Park

Go outside on a nice day and take in the beautiful scenery of Granby Park. Located near the Congaree River, Granby Park is part of the Three River Greenway park system and features pedestrian and bike paths, making the park accessible to all.

Mill Village Museum

Learn more about the history behind this amazing district by visiting the Mill Village Museum. This museum features three parts: the house, the annex, and outdoor exhibits. It paints a beautiful picture of what daily life was like in the Mill District. Read more about the museum and its history here.

Founders Park

Take in a great Carolina Gamecocks baseball game at Founders Park. The stadium opened in 2009 and can seat 8, 242 fans making it one of the top baseball stadiums in the country. Check out the baseball schedule and buy tickets here.

In Summary…

The Mill District offers a wide array of opportunities for you to find your new home, support local businesses, enjoy great food, and have fun with your family and friends! Come check out the Mill District and follow us on social media @milldistrictalliance to find out the latest news and happenings!