Greenville’s city leaders took a major step toward revitalizing downtown by revealing the first detailed site plan for the new Falls Park Conference Center. The 100,000‑square‑foot facility, slated to anchor a six‑acre mixed‑use district along the Reedy River, is expected to draw regional meetings, conventions and corporate retreats that have been missing from the city for years.
Project scope and financing
The development will combine public and private capital—more than $500 million in total—to transform the east side of the river into a vibrant hub of hospitality, office space and residential units. The city plans to fund the conference center and an adjoining parking garage primarily through visitor‑supported revenue streams, ensuring that taxpayers are not shouldered with the cost.
Design features and amenities
The conference center will include a 30,000‑square‑foot grand ballroom, a 12,000‑square‑foot junior ballroom, multiple breakout rooms and flexible pre‑function areas. A pedestrian sky bridge will link the building to the future JW Marriott Greenville, while a luxury 335‑room hotel operated by Auro Hotels will occupy the historic Bowater Building at 55 E. Camperdown Way.
Beyond meeting space, the district will host a new multi‑family residential building by Hines, two office towers—including United Community’s headquarters—sitting atop a 1,250‑space parking structure, and a mix of retail and public green space south of the center. The design aims to keep the area active year‑round with shops and restaurants that reflect the character of Greenville’s Main Street.
Community involvement
Residents and business owners will have a chance to review the massing and site plan at a drop‑in meeting on September 22, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Greenville Civic Design Center, 15 S. Main St. The city’s Design Review Board will consider the project in October, moving the plan toward final approval.
Economic impact
According to VisitGreenvilleSC, the lack of a downtown conference facility has cost the city nearly 70,000 hotel‑room nights over the past three years. By providing a modern venue, the city expects to capture that lost business, support local hotels, and generate additional tax revenue that can be reinvested in community services.
Mayor’s perspective
Mayor Knox White emphasized that the massing reveal is only the first step. He said the upcoming design will echo the natural beauty of the Reedy River Falls and extend the park’s garden to the conference center’s doorstep, reinforcing Greenville’s reputation as a welcoming, family‑friendly destination.
For more information on the Falls Park Conference District, visit the city’s official site.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
