New development planned for Columbia’s Vista

A national real estate company and a world player in real estate management are planning a 221-unit multifamily community on Senate Street in Columbia.

It will be the second Columbia project for Subtext, which brought Verve Columbia to town. Subtext and PGIM said they have acquired land for a mixed-use multifamily development at 931 Senate St.

“This project brings together everything we focus on as a platform: irreplaceable locations, thoughtful design, and a resident experience that drives real performance,” Brandt Stiles, founding partner and Co-CEO at Subtext, said in the release. “It’s a natural extension of our work in Columbia and a strong addition to The Vista.”

Directly across from the University Alumni Center, the community will span 297,088 square feet across seven levels and feature one, two, and three-bedroom layouts. Over 2,600 square feet of ground-floor retail is planned at the corner of Park and Senate streets.

Situated between the University of South Carolina campus and Columbia’s downtown business district, the development offers walkable access to restaurants, coffee shops, entertainment and nightlife destinations, the release stated.

“Our belief is that great communities start with great locations and a deep respect for what already exists,” Stiles said. “The Vista is one of Columbia’s most dynamic districts, and this project is designed to contribute to that energy while creating a residential experience that feels connected, intentional and distinctly local.”

The development will feature more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenity space designed to support productivity, wellness and social connection, the planners said. Amenities planned for the site include open and private study lounges, a fitness center with studio, cardio and weight training areas, a wellness suite with sauna and individual rooms, outdoor fitness and meditation spaces, and a pool courtyard with cabanas and spa. Residents will also have access to an indoor-outdoor bar and kitchen, fire pits, grilling stations, gaming areas and a micro market.

Apartment interiors will feature luxury hardwood-style plank flooring, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, modern decorative lighting, tile backsplashes, frameless glass shower doors and 65-inch wall-mounted smart TVs.

Within the West Gervais Street Historic Commercial District, the community was shaped through collaboration with city staff and local stakeholders to ensure the design materiality complements the surrounding community, the release said. A rooftop amenity deck will overlook the South Carolina State House.

“This project is reflective of the qualities we seek when investing in the living sectors, including a growing student population and strong demographic fundamentals,” Soultana Reigle, head of U.S. Equity for PGIM’s Real Estate investment group, said in the release. “Well-positioned within The Vista district, the development aligns with our strategy of partnering with experienced developers to deliver high-quality residential communities in markets with compelling long-term growth potential.”

Project partners include Simmons Bank as lender, W.M. Jordan as general contractor, ESG as architect and interior designer, Davis & Floyd Inc. as civil engineer, and Pierce Engineering. The development is expected to break ground this summer.

VERVE Columbia, which will welcome its first residents this summer.