The developer of a new idea in BullStreet does NOT want kids to stay off his lawn.
On the contrary, The Lawn is being developed as a place to gather, for kids and everyone else.
The plan calls for what Robert Hughes of Hughes Development Corp. calls a “dynamic community gathering space designed to bring people together.”
Expected to open in the first half of 2025, The Lawn, flanked by Bennet luxury apartments and the WestLawn office building, will serve as the central meeting space for dining, recreation and cultural connection, according to the release. It will be surrounded by a mix of retail, restaurants and workspaces.
The acre of public space was designed to bring people together, with flexibility for smaller events like yoga classes or a one-man band, to larger gatherings like holiday markets or weekend festivals, the release stated.
The Lawn features a 3,750 square feet artificial turf play area with tiered seating, an event stage, café and bistro tables, and more. Catenary lights will cover the turf area and speakers will be installed in the planters around The Lawn.
The Lawn is expected to be more than just a park, said Hughes, president and CEO of Hughes Development.
“We have always said that we hope BullStreet becomes the ‘third place’ for everyone in Columbia — after your home and your work, we want the next place people think to go to be BullStreet,” he said in the release. “The Lawn provides the perfect outdoor space for people to relax and enjoy all that BullStreet has to offer.”
The centerpiece of The Lawn is the revitalized Williams Building, soon to be home to Coastal Crust Wood-fired Pizza. This reimagined space was designed to combine the historic façade with a modern design, creating a blend of Columbia’s past and future, the release stated.
The building opens directly onto a large green space and public plaza.
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“If you’re early to meet your spouse or friends, you’ll just say ‘let’s meet at The Lawn,’ and everyone will know right where you are,” Hughes said in the release. “If your kids need a space to run around while you grab a pizza, you’ll go to Coastal Crust and sit outside under the lights while the kids play. It is meant to be the everyday heartbeat of the entire District.”
The BullStreet District will be Coastal Crust Wood-fired Pizza’s first Columbia location. It has locations in Mount Pleasant, James Island, Greenville, Isle of Palms in Wild Dunes Resort and Travelers Rest.
Their pizzas are hand stretched and baked in a custom-built 900-plus degree oven. Coastal Crust sources kiln dried oak wood that the company says offers a bright smoky aroma to the pizzas.
“When I learned about the plans for The Lawn and saw all of the activity at BullStreet, it became clear that is the essence of the Coastal Crust tradition,” said Coastal Crust President Brian Piesner, in the release. “We create an elevated casual experience for everyone, particularly for families, and we cannot wait to get started.”
Coastal Crust fit what Hughes wanted for the site.
“We were looking for just the right restaurant that reflects what The Lawn is all about, and we were thrilled to get Coastal Crust to do just that,” Hughes said in the release.
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