Over the last decade, Greenville has gone from being the South’s best-kept secret to one of the South’s fastest-growing, most talked-about cities.
And right now? We’re staring at $2B+ in development and infrastructure that’s going to reshape downtown, add thousands of homes, and change how you get around the city.
As someone who lives here, works in this market daily, and has spent the last 7+ years helping families buy and sell across the Upstate (including 132 closed units last year alone), these are some of the most exciting—and most consequential—changes I’ve seen.
In this guide, I’m going to break down the biggest projects happening right now, the real timelines, the pros and cons, and (most importantly) which neighborhoods are positioned to benefit most.
If you’re relocating and you want help buying ahead of the curve—before the ribbon cuttings and price jumps—my contact info is at the end of this article.
The Projects Reshaping Greenville
Here’s what’s driving the next chapter of growth:
County Square Redevelopment (Downtown extension + Whole Foods + major retail/office/residential)
Bolden Street District (Laurens Road “motor mile” turning into a walkable district)
The Woven (West Village mixed-use with apartments + affordable housing)
Gracie Plaza / Gateway Project (29-story towers changing the skyline near I-385)
North Main “Baby Bi-Lo” Repositioning (new neighborhood retail + dining hub)
Swamp Rabbit Trail expansions + key street projects (walkability and safety upgrades)
Woodruff Road Congestion Relief (major new parallel roadway project)
Bon Secours Wellness Arena campus expansion (6,500-seat amphitheater + upgrades)
Markley + Main (luxury West End apartments + retail next to Fluor Field)
Now let’s go project-by-project—and translate it into real estate strategy.
County Square Redevelopment: Greenville’s $1.1B “Downtown Extension”
This is the biggest redevelopment Greenville has ever seen.
The County Square project is a $1.1 billion transformation of roughly 37 acres along University Ridge, designed to function as a seamless extension of downtown—with a mix of office, retail, residential, public space, and direct trail connectivity.
What’s confirmed
Whole Foods, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma as major anchors
A total vision of roughly 3 million square feet of Class A office/retail/hotel/residential/public space
The Greenville County Administrative Building (about 262,000 sq ft) was completed in Q2 2023 as an early phase milestone
Why it matters for property values
County Square is the kind of development that changes “where downtown ends.” When you add premium retail, major office density, and high-end residential at that scale, the surrounding neighborhoods don’t just benefit—they get re-priced.
Neighborhoods most likely to benefit
If you want to be close enough to benefit without paying “brand-new luxury premium,” pay attention to:
Augusta Road
Alta Vista
University Ridge / downtown adjacent pockets
These are already strong areas, but County Square adds fuel to the fire—especially for buyers who value walkability and “quick access” to the core.
Pro / Con (my transparent take)
Pro: This is the kind of project that tends to create durable demand (not just hype).
Con: As it opens in phases, pricing will likely move in steps—meaning waiting can be expensive.
Bolden Street District: Turning Laurens Road Into a Walkable District
If you’ve driven Laurens Road, you know the reputation: strip malls, surface parking, auto-focused development.
That’s exactly why this matters.
Bolden Street District is a planned 90-acre, mixed-use redevelopment between Laurens Road and the Swamp Rabbit Trail, led by Verdae Development Inc. / Hollingsworth Funds—with a goal of breaking ground late summer 2026.
The big idea
Create a true live-work-play district tied directly to Greenville’s long-term growth plan (GVL2040).
Why buyers should care
This is a classic “early patience play.”
When a corridor shifts from auto-centric to mixed-use walkability—especially with trail adjacency—the character of the entire area changes. That typically impacts:
perception
tenant quality
reinvestment
long-term pricing
Pro / Con (my transparent take)
Pro: The upside is real if you buy before the vision is fully built.
Con: Timeline risk. This is not a “move here next month for walkability” situation.
The Woven: West Village Growth Without Losing the Artsy Soul
In West Greenville / the Village, developers are (finally) building in a way that tries to fit the vibe instead of steamrolling it.
Woven is a mixed-use project delivering 214 residential units and about 30,000 sq ft of commercial space, with 20% designated as affordable housing, developed in partnership with Woodfield Development.
Why it matters
West Greenville has already been trending, but projects like this are a signal: institutional money sees staying power here.
Also, the city is actively investing in safer, more walkable corridors nearby (we’ll cover Pendleton + East North improvements in a minute), and that combination tends to compound value over time.
Pro / Con (my transparent take)
Pro: Still one of the more “affordable relative to downtown” areas with upside.
Con: You have to be comfortable with a neighborhood that’s evolving—block by block.
Gracie Plaza (Gateway Project): A 29-Story Statement About Greenville’s Future
Greenville is growing up—literally.
The Gateway Project / Gracie Plaza at 250 N. Church Street is planned as a 29-story mixed-use development that the City has described as the tallest in South Carolina, including roughly 327 apartments and about 8,500 sq ft of commercial space, plus major public-realm upgrades like sidewalks, landscaping, and a public plaza.
The City (and partners) also approved a public-private component in the $7M range tied to the public improvements.
Why it matters for surrounding real estate
A skyline project does two things at once:
It increases residential density downtown (more demand nearby)
It signals long-term investor confidence (more follow-on development)
That typically lifts:
nearby condo/townhome demand
rental demand
“walkable convenience” pricing
North Main’s Former “Baby Bi-Lo” Site: Finally Getting New Life
If you know North Main, you know this spot has been a question mark for years.
The former “Baby Bi-Lo” shopping center at 505 N. Main St. is slated for a major repositioning into Class A neighborhood commercial (new storefronts, landscaping, pedestrian improvements, and a curated mix of tenants like a small grocer, coffee, restaurant, fitness, retail). Renovations are targeted to begin early 2026, aiming for completion by mid-to-late fall.
Why it matters
North Main already has strong demand. What it has needed is more neighborhood-serving retail and dining so residents don’t have to drive for every errand.
This project is about adding “daily-life convenience”—and that supports values long-term.
Infrastructure That Boosts Values: Trails + Street Safety Projects
Greenville’s growth story isn’t just shiny buildings. It’s also connectivity—because walkability and safe mobility are huge drivers of desirability (and price).
Verdae Pedestrian Bridge (Swamp Rabbit Trail “gap fix”)
The City’s 1,180-foot pedestrian bridge over Verdae Blvd began construction in August 2025 and is expected to complete in Fall 2026, helping connect the trail network more safely as future expansions continue.
Swamp Rabbit Trail: Orange Line Extension (North Main → Wade Hampton/Church)
Plans are advancing to extend the Orange Line through North Main toward the Wade Hampton Blvd / Church St area. The feasibility work is underway, with engineering expected to follow, and construction bidding discussed as a late 2026 / early 2027 possibility.
And for context: the Swamp Rabbit Trail network is now about 28 miles, connecting downtown toward Travelers Rest and beyond—one of Greenville’s biggest lifestyle value drivers.
Pendleton Street Road Diet (West End safety + bike infrastructure)
The City’s Pendleton Street Road Diet project includes lane reductions and protected bike lanes, improving safety and connectivity on a key West End corridor.
East North Street Gateway Project (around the arena)
The City’s East North Street Gateway work is designed to enhance walkability near Bon Secours Wellness Arena with streetscape improvements like wider pedestrian spaces and corridor upgrades.
Wade Hampton Boulevard improvements (the “before/after” will be dramatic)
Wade Hampton has long been one of the least pedestrian-friendly corridors. The City and SCDOT have been moving forward on corridor improvement planning focused on safer crossings and multimodal upgrades.
Woodruff Road Congestion Relief: The $121M “This Has to Happen” Project
If you’ve ever sat on Woodruff Road at rush hour… you get it.
SCDOT’s Woodruff Road Congestion Relief Project is a $121.1M preferred alternative plan that includes a new parallel roadway concept with multiple travel lanes, medians, multi-use paths, and major bridge/interchange components tied to I-85 and I-385 connectivity.
My honest take for buyers
Short-term: construction disruption, detours, “it might get worse before it gets better”
Long-term: this is exactly the type of infrastructure investment that protects the viability of the Eastside’s biggest commercial corridor
If you’re choosing between an area that’s improving its infrastructure and an area that’s ignoring it, I’ll take “improving” every time.
Bon Secours Wellness Arena Expansion: A New Amphitheater + Big-Time Ripple Effects
This is one of the most underappreciated value drivers in downtown real estate.
The Greenville Arena District has unveiled a campus master plan that includes a new 6,500-seat outdoor amphitheater, major concourse/amenity upgrades, and a broader transformation of the surrounding campus—targeting a start in 2026 or early 2027.
They’ve also cited a projected $63M annual economic impact and hundreds of permanent jobs tied to the plan.
Why it matters for housing
More events = more consistent foot traffic and demand for:
walkable rentals
nearby condos/townhomes
“lock-and-leave” living
short commute downtown living
This is part of why you’re seeing the City invest in pedestrian improvements in this district at the same time.
Markley + Main: Luxury West End Apartments Next to Fluor Field
The West End continues to level up.
Markley + Main is a 277-unit Class A development adjacent to Fluor Field, with amenities like rooftop lounge (stadium views), golf simulator, EV charging, co-working, and retail space. Move-ins are projected for Summer 2027.
What this signals
Developers build luxury when they believe demand will be deep and durable.
And when that kind of product comes online, nearby homes often see:
stronger buyer competition
more rental pressure
higher “walkable lifestyle” premiums
What It All Means for Greenville Real Estate
Here’s the truth: $2B+ in projects doesn’t just change the skyline. It changes:
demand
commute patterns
neighborhood perception
retail/restaurant quality
long-term appreciation trajectories
Greenville is becoming more urban and more connected—and the market tends to reward:
trail adjacency
walkability
proximity to entertainment districts
access to upgraded corridors
The tradeoff (and you deserve the honest version)
Greenville’s growth comes with:
more density
more traffic in the short term
construction phases that can be annoying
If you moved here for a sleepy small-town feel, some pockets will feel different over the next 3–5 years.
If you want the best chance at long-term upside, timing matters.
The buyers who tend to “win” are the ones who buy:
before the biggest retail anchors open (County Square)
before trail connections become fully seamless (Verdae bridge / Orange Line)
before major entertainment upgrades expand demand (The Well campus plan)
In other words: buying before the ribbon cutting is often where the value is.
READ: Things To Know BEFORE Moving to Greenville SC [2026 Guide]
Thinking About Moving to Greenville, SC?
I’ve helped many families relocate to Greenville, guiding them through the process and helping them find the right fit for their needs.
Contact us for real estate inquiries:
📱 Call or text: 864-688-9738
📧 Email: [email protected]
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