COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina (USC) is looking to increase its footprint in downtown Columbia.
The school has been approved for the purchase of two buildings located one block north of the historic Horseshoe, at the intersection of Senate and Bull streets.
In December, the USC board of trustees approved the purchase of the Rutledge Building and another building at 1430 Senate St. for $2.2 million each.
The State Department of Administration has been trying to sell the Rutledge Building, the current home of the South Carolina Department of Education, for the last several years.
Back in 2022, there was a private development plan before the City of Columbia to turn the place into a mixed-use commercial and living space that would have had over 100 apartments with a bar and lounge. But, according to a spokesperson for the SC Department of Administration, "the contract to purchase the building was terminated by the prospective buyer, BF Rutledge, LLC, in September of that year."
Since then, USC expressed interest in acquiring the property.
The 16-stories Rutledge Building has been the headquarters for the Department of Education since the building opened almost 60 years ago in 1964, and it's on the National Historic Register.
The Department of Education plans to move to a new building at the States Farmer's Market property in Lexington County this summer.
As for what USC will do with the new space, there are no immediate plans, but a USC spokesman is saying the school plans to explore future revenue-generating opportunities.
Purchases for both buildings are pending final state approval.