Union Pier Update: Urban Waterfront Future Land Use District
The Union Pier project represents the largest redevelopment opportunity on Charleston's peninsula in decades. Because of the site’s history, scale, and location, Historic Charleston Foundation is committed to advocating for a visionary design for the 70-acre site. We continue to work with partners, the city, and Beemok leadership to advocate for waterfront access to iconic parks, generous civic spaces, blocks and buildings that reflect Charleston’s historic neighborhoods, integrated resiliency, and an authentic mix of uses that make a vibrant district for all residents.
How did we get here?
In the fall of 2024, Charleston City Council, Charleston County and the Charleston County School District approved the Union Pier Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, with the support of HCF and coalition partners. The TIF allows the city to issue bonds against the projected tax revenue created by the redevelopment to help pay for public improvements such as parks, resiliency features, affordable housing, and other important infrastructure. A public-private partnership ensures that Union Pier can be the world-class development that Charleston deserves.
Where are we now?
On February 19th, the City of Charleston Planning Commission moved us closer to that vision when they unanimously approved a new Urban Waterfront Future Land Use District for the Union Pier site. We believe the approved language (see full language, below) reflects our priorities, as it calls for block patterns, street designs, and building scale and massing compatible with historic Charleston “to create a properly scaled extension to the city.”
As the Urban Waterfront district amendment moves to City Council, HCF will continue to push for a world class development centered around an accessible and vibrant public realm.
For more information about the Urban Waterfront district, read our blog post.
HCF is committed to advocating for:
- Stabilization and Preservation of the Bennett Rice Mill
- Public Access to the Waterfront through Parks and Open Space
- Improved Resiliency and Flood Mitigation
- Creation of a Vibrant New Peninsula Neighborhood
- High Quality Architectural Design that Adheres to Charleston’s Historic Scale and Form
Visit our dedicated page to learn more about Union Pier.
URBAN WATERFRONT FUTURE LAND USE DISTRICT (approved language)
These vibrant and inclusive mixed-use districts are located along portions of the Peninsula’s waterfront and areas designated as Neighborhood and City Centers. Development in these areas preserves Charleston’s rich cultural and maritime heritage and facilitates recreational, civic, and economic connections between urban areas and the waterfront. Building and site design prioritizes resilience, maintains continuous public access along the waterfront in coordination with perimeter protection, creates public access and street view corridors toward the water, and is compatible with the city’s skyline. There are a mix of uses, including a variety of housing types for residents of diverse incomes, civic, commercial, outdoor public gathering places, and opportunities for small and local businesses. The waterfront is activated with public parks and open spaces, as well as restaurants, events, and other public and commercial uses that engage and serve the Charleston community. Maritime recreational and transportation uses are encouraged on a scale consistent with landside uses, to replace prior cargo and cruise ship uses. Block patterns, street design and building scale and massing, which will include varying heights and densities, are compatible to the neighboring commercial and residential districts to create a properly scaled extension to the city.
