Downtown Florence
Bold. Vibrant. A Place Full of Life.
Downtown Florence, SC has seen significant growth over the last decade with over $300 million in public and private investment taking place since 2010, and over $54 million in the past three years. Over forty buildings have transitioned from vacancy and blight to renovated, restored, and occupied. Many of those building owners and tenants have taken advantage of facade and redevelopment grant programs provided by the Downtown Florence Main Street Program.
The Downtown Florence Historic District is now home to over 100 residential units including both apartments and owner-occupied condos. Downtown is also home to several large businesses including McLeod Regional Medical Center, Synergi Partners, EmployReward Solutions, and health science campuses for both Francis Marion University and Florence-Darlington Technical College.
A regional beacon of progress, Downtown Florence received the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Award for Economic Development from the Municipal Association of South Carolina for its ongoing redevelopment and preservation efforts. In 2022, the City of Florence received another Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Award for Economic Development for its innovation associated with the Food, Artisan, Warehouse District adjacent to the historic district. Additionally, the Downtown Florence Main Street Program was a semi-finalist in 2022 for the Main Street America's Great American Main Street Award, and won the 2023 Great American Main Street Award.
The H-1 Historic District and W-1 Food, Artisan/Warehouse Expanded Incentive Boundary, Downtown Florence, SC
Crowds gather for the headline act at the 2019 SC Pecan Festival, held each year on the first Saturday in November.
Downtown Florence is synonymous with special events and street festivals. Thousands of visitors attend award-winning events produced by the Downtown Florence Main Street Program each year including downtown's favorite block party and concert series, Florence After 5 (May through September), and the South Carolina Pecan Festival held each November.
Downtown is also home to the weekly City Center Farmers Market held at 200 Sanborn Street on Saturdays year-round.
West Evans Street facing West
Small businesses move downtown forward.
Downtown Florence is built on small business, and entrepreneurs who choose downtown enjoy countless benefits including redevelopment incentives for qualifying properties, ongoing support and training from the Downtown Florence Main Street Program team, marketing and promotional assistance, and guidance from the Francis Marion University Kelley Center for Economic Development.
Learn more about the incentive programs available for small businesses here.
Available Properties in Downtown H-1 (Historic District) and W-1 (Food, Artisan, Warehouse District)
Downtown Florence is open for business.
Use the map above to check out available properties within the H-1 Historic District and W-1 Food, Artisan, and Warehouse District. What began as a railroad hub has transformed into a destination for dining, shopping, cultural amenities, and a great place to do business.
Opportunity awaits in Downtown Florence—the City of Florence has invested in public gathering spaces, streetscape improvements, parking, public art, and cultural spaces. The historic district boasts some of the best dining experiences and boutique shopping in the area. Catch concerts and plays at the FMU Performing Arts Center and Florence Little Theater along our designated South Carolina Cultural District, and enjoy street festivals and special events designed to bring customers to your door.
Start your entrepreneurial journey with the Development Office team at the City of Florence. Contact us at progress@florencedowntown.com to get started.
