BULL STREET
DISTRICT
neighborhood
The BullStreet District offers residents a chance to live, work, play, eat, shop – and even catch a minor league baseball game – all in a new city-center development adjacent to downtown Columbia.
Being developed on 181 acres that once housed the historic S.C. State Hospital, the BullStreet District is becoming one of the hottest new addresses in Columbia. As the largest mixed-use downtown real estate development on the East Coast, the still-developing neighborhood features walkable streets, massive live oak and magnolia trees, plenty of green space and easy access to outdoor amenities. The neighborhood is blending renovated old buildings with decidedly city-style homes and office space, drawing young professionals and retirees who want to be part of a new type of city living.
Located on the edge of downtown Columbia, the BullStreet District also is close to the growing North Main (NoMa) district, the University of South Carolina, the Vista and Five Points. The neighborhood boasts that it’s 2 minutes from everything, with plenty to do in its own backyard.
BULL STREET DISTRICT
neighborhood
The BullStreet District offers residents a chance to live, work, play, eat, shop – and even catch a minor league baseball game – all in a new city-center development adjacent to downtown Columbia.
Being developed on 181 acres that once housed the historic S.C. State Hospital, the BullStreet District is becoming one of the hottest new addresses in Columbia. As the largest mixed-use downtown real estate development on the East Coast, the still-developing neighborhood features walkable streets, massive live oak and magnolia trees, plenty of green space and easy access to outdoor amenities. The neighborhood is blending renovated old buildings with decidedly city-style homes and office space, drawing young professionals and retirees who want to be part of a new type of city living.
Located on the edge of downtown Columbia, the BullStreet District also is close to the growing North Main (NoMa) district, the University of South Carolina, the Vista and Five Points. The neighborhood boasts that it’s 2 minutes from everything, with plenty to do in its own backyard.
RECREATION & PARKS
BullStreet is home to Segra Park, the 2016 Ballpark of the Year and home to the Class A minor league baseball team, the Columbia Fireflies. When the team is out of town, the stadium hosts festivals, concerts and other events — even a few weddings and graduation ceremonies. And the park is open to visitors so walkers are welcome to stroll around the concourse most days.
The neighborhood is being developed with plenty of green space, offering myriad options for a picnic or a stroll or jog. The highlight is Page Ellington Park, a 20-acre park with a 2-acre pond, a fenced dog park, and the newly restored Smith Branch Creek. The creek had long flowed underground in culvert pipes until BullStreet developers brought it to the surface and planted its banks with trees.
The neighborhood is close to the Three Rivers Greenway along the Congaree River, with paved trails, boardwalks and overlooks making it a popular spot for walkers, bicyclists and runners. The city of Columbia’s Earlewood Park, a 66-acre urban forest, is just a few miles away. It includes a community center, amphitheater, walking track, tennis courts, baseball fields and a disc golf course that’s considered one of the best in the region.
what’s in a name
The decidedly hip and trendy BullStreet Development was once home to the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum, later called the South Carolina State Hospital for the Insane, or, to generations of Columbians, known simply as “Bull Street.” South Carolina was an early leader in providing an asylum for its mentally ill residents. The S.C. legislature hired Robert Mills, the country’s first national architect, to design the original building, which admitted its first patient in 1828.
FUN FACT
The large city park in the BullStreet District is named for Page Ellington, a self-taught African American architect, craftsman and brick mason. Ellington, who was born an enslaved person in North Carolina, became a Columbia city leader who held several city offices during Reconstruction, and helped design buildings at the State Hospital property.
RECREATION & PARKS
BullStreet is home to Segra Park, the 2016 Ballpark of the Year and home to the Class A minor league baseball team, the Columbia Fireflies. When the team is out of town, the stadium hosts festivals, concerts and other events — even a few weddings and graduation ceremonies. And the park is open to visitors so walkers are welcome to stroll around the concourse most days.
The neighborhood is being developed with plenty of green space, offering myriad options for a picnic or a stroll or jog. The highlight is Page Ellington Park, a 20-acre park with a 2-acre pond, a fenced dog park, and the newly restored Smith Branch Creek. The creek had long flowed underground in culvert pipes until BullStreet developers brought it to the surface and planted its banks with trees.
The neighborhood is close to the Three Rivers Greenway along the Congaree River, with paved trails, boardwalks and overlooks making it a popular spot for walkers, bicyclists and runners. The city of Columbia’s Earlewood Park, a 66-acre urban forest, is just a few miles away. It includes a community center, amphitheater, walking track, tennis courts, baseball fields and a disc golf course that’s considered one of the best in the region.
FUN FACT
The large city park in the BullStreet District is named for Page Ellington, a self-taught African American architect, craftsman and brick mason. Ellington, who was born an enslaved person in North Carolina, became a Columbia city leader who held several city offices during Reconstruction, and helped design buildings at the State Hospital property.
what’s in a name
The decidedly hip and trendy BullStreet Development was once home to the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum, later called the South Carolina State Hospital for the Insane, or, to generations of Columbians, known simply as “Bull Street.” South Carolina was an early leader in providing an asylum for its mentally ill residents. The S.C. legislature hired Robert Mills, the country’s first national architect, to design the original building, which admitted its first patient in 1828.
HOME STATS
The neighborhood housing options are growing. TownPark at BullStreet features modern, luxury 2- and 3-level townhouses with garages. The homes feature private rooftop terraces offering a chance for personal gardens or the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine as the sun goes down. Three phases of the TownPark development have been built, with a fourth now underway.
BullStreet is also popular with older adults, who can enjoy an active senior living development, Merrill Gardens, located near the neighborhood park.
HOME STATS
The neighborhood housing options are growing. TownPark at BullStreet features modern, luxury 2- and 3-level townhouses with garages. The homes feature private rooftop terraces offering a chance for personal gardens or the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine as the sun goes down. Three phases of the TownPark development have been built, with a fourth now underway.
BullStreet is also popular with older adults, who can enjoy an active senior living development, Merrill Gardens, located near the neighborhood park.
NEARBY
AMENITIES
RESTAURANTS & MORE
As the neighborhood expands, new restaurants are planned for the BullStreet District, including Publico Kitchen and Tap, a popular Latin-Asian influenced restaurant that will open in the historic Ensor Building next to the Fireflies baseball park. A busy Starbucks, with indoor and outdoor seating, is located in BullStreet District, while Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant is expected to open later in 2022.
A short ride or bike trip will take you to restaurants in the North Main, Five Points or Vista areas. For shopping, the popular Seattle-based REI Co-op outdoors store is located in the BullStreet District, with more businesses expected.
NEIGHBORHOODS SCHOOLS
Children in the BullStreet District attend Carver-Lyon Elementary School, W.A. Perry Middle School and C.A. Johnson High School Richland School District One
NEED GROCERIES?
The Publix grocery store on Gervais Street in the Vista is Bull Street, with the Food Lion on Harden Street also nearby.
NEARBY
AMENITIES
RESTAURANTS & MORE
As the neighborhood expands, new restaurants are planned for the BullStreet District, including Publico Kitchen and Tap, a popular Latin-Asian influenced restaurant that will open in the historic Ensor Building next to the Fireflies baseball park. A busy Starbucks, with indoor and outdoor seating, is located in BullStreet District, while Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant is expected to open later in 2022.
A short ride or bike trip will take you to restaurants in the North Main, Five Points or Vista areas. For shopping, the popular Seattle-based REI Co-op outdoors store is located in the BullStreet District, with more businesses expected.
NEIGHBORHOODS SCHOOLS
Children in the BullStreet District attend Carver-Lyon Elementary School, W.A. Perry Middle School and C.A. Johnson High School Richland School District One
NEED GROCERIES?
The Publix grocery store on Gervais Street in the Vista is Bull Street, with the Food Lion on Harden Street also nearby.
EXPLORE THE AREA
BullStreet is in the middle of everything. Located adjacent to downtown and the Prisma Health Richland hospital campus, it is bordered by Bull Street, Colonial Drive, Harden Street and Elmwood Avenue, a main thoroughfare that connects to I-26 and I-20. The University of South Carolina, the State House, the Vista and Five Points are just a few minutes away. The adjacent Robert Mills Historic District features house museums and walking tours offered by Historic Columbia that tell the city’s story from antebellum to Civil Rights.
LINKS
BullStreet District
EXPLORE THE AREA
BullStreet is in the middle of everything. Located adjacent to downtown and the Prisma Health Richland hospital campus, it is bordered by Bull Street, Colonial Drive, Harden Street and Elmwood Avenue, a main thoroughfare that connects to I-26 and I-20. The University of South Carolina, the State House, the Vista and Five Points are just a few minutes away. The adjacent Robert Mills Historic District features house museums and walking tours offered by Historic Columbia that tell the city’s story from antebellum to Civil Rights.
LINKS
BullStreet District