FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – As downtown Florence continues to grow, city officials are working to keep up with the demand for diverse housing options.
The city is now focusing on offering upper-story apartments, which sit directly above stores and restaurants on the first floor.
Dargan Street is now home to several upper-story loft apartments. They have modern amenities, hardwood floors, high ceilings, and exposed brick walls. Downtown Development Manager Ray Reich says there is a growing demand for upper-story housing, as more people want to live downtown and be within walking distance of work, stores, and nightlife. Reich says this style of living caters to young professionals and “empty-nesters” looking to simplify and modernize. It also gives people a sense of community and safety.
“When they’re walking down the street and they glance up at the upper stories and every one of them have people living up there and you might see somebody watching television, it gives you that feeling that you’re really close to other people,” he said.
There are also some challenges, such as rising construction costs and modifications to the International Building Codes, which Reich says have changed within the past few years.
“It didn’t use to be that you had to put fire suppression or sprinkler systems throughout the building. Now, if it’s what’s called mixed-use, which is housing upstairs and retail, restaurants or some other use downstairs, a sprinkler system has to be put in the building and that code change came about five years ago,” he explained. “As the economy gets stronger, there’s more demand for both housing and commercial buildings. It puts a strain on labor, it puts a strain on building supplies.”
City Manager Drew Griffin says there are “three promising projects” along Dargan Street and about three others that are currently in development on North Dargan Street.
