Downtown Conference Center And Mixed-Use Development

Timeline of the Convention Center project

Greenville and its partners are in the Project Planning Phase, moving toward the development of a downtown conference center. 

The City has joined Greenville County and local developers to explore ways to increase the number of overnight visitor stays associated with attracting sizeable conferences, conventions, and meetings and believes there are many advantages to having a central space downtown to anchor Greenville’s growing tourist and cultural industry. As a result, a team led by LMN Architects is developing a plan for a new conference facility.

One of the earliest steps in this process was to hold a public listening session. LMN Architects presented a project update to City Council at its August 23 informational workshop session. View workshop presentation (PDF)

Through a series of outreach and engagement meetings, surveys, and social media, we are seeking your ideas and feedback about ways the project can benefit our community.

Why A Downtown Conference Center?


Significant landscaped public space along the Reedy River for community use.

CSL international feasibility study: north site option

Rendering of Potential Conference Center along river


A new venue that can accommodate a wide variety of community functions from banquets to local entertainment events.

csl international feasibility study: ballroom concept

Potential conference center ballroom

Redevelopment that can help to continue the significant progress already made in creating a nationally known vibrant downtown.
Aerial picture of downtown Greenville


Potential to accommodate emerging events in STEM areas.

esports venue example

Inside an eSports venue

"The idea of a downtown conference center was first studied in 2016 but wasn’t feasible at the time. So why now? This is a true public-private partnership. Prime riverfront property was donated, we have joint funding commitments from the state and county, and we have enough hotel rooms to support a conference center without the city having to fund construction of a new hotel."

-Mayor Knox White

Mayor Knox White portrait

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