$65M downtown Greenville project nearing completion

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Greenville County Square employees are gearing up to move into their new and improved Greenville County government/administrative complex.

To Greenville County leaders, the under construction “modern and efficient” building will serve as the catalyst for the growth of County Square and will be home to all government functions, said Greenville County Governmental Affairs Coordinator Bob Mihalic.

At nearly 250,000 square feet, the building will not only be modern, efficient and environmentally friendly but also will act as the “nucleus” for the growth to come around it, Mihalic said.

The plan includes the demolition of the old County Square and redevelopment by Atlanta-based developers RocaPoint. The developers plan to fill the site with class A office space and a concerted effort to get companies to consider making their home in the development along with multifamily residences, restaurants and more. What once was a shopping mall and movie theater-turned county government complex will look completely different.

“I think the key part is development will grow around these new buildings and leaders think they are reflective of the people of Greenville — modern, transparent and forward-looking,” said Mihalic. “It’s a beautiful building, design and function that will serve the county

 and its residences.”

The new building will have an attached parking garage with a covered path leading into the building that is split into two towers as well as a connection 

between the north and south towers. The south tower is forward-facing and will hold tax offices, courtrooms, planning, zoning and other county government departments, and the north tower will house Greenville County administrative offices.

Mihalic said the design is also ideal for traffic flow and will be easier for citizens to find, with one building and location for county government functions instead of being spread out.

“It doesn’t look like a government building, so the rest of the development to happen in what will be the former County Square will continue that look of modernization,” Mihalic said.

Everything and everyone from the current Greenville County Square will move into the new buildings, which equates to around 500 staff members, except for EMS, said Mihalic.

Partners on the project are RocaPoint as the developers, Foster + Partners as the architectural designers, and Nelson Worldwide as the interior designers and architects. Seamon Whiteside is the civil engineer, DPR Construction serves as construction manager, Fuller Group is the structural engineer and Simes and Rosch will perform mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering.

SC Biz News attempted to reach RocaPoint via email but did not receive a response.

With groundbreaking more than two years ago, the new $65 million county administration and government affairs buildings are projected to be move-in ready this spring, said Mihalic. The project will also provide an additional $25-30 million in tax revenue as former government property moves to private hands, he added.

“Greenville is obviously a growing, wonderful place to be, and there are more exciting things happening in what will be the former County Square site,” said Mihalic. “We are moving out, so they (RocaPoint) can make it better, and it’ll all blend right in when it’s complete. These new buildings are just an example of the blend that will come in around this great piece of real estate we currently sit on."