department of economic development
Design Primers: Downtown and Preservation Districts
Downtown Design Primer
Greenville has long been recognized as the center of commerce for the Upstate. The
Central Business District (CBD) of Greenville was once the core of that center.
Today, the CBD has not only regained its status as the commercial core of our city,
it has also grown to include an arts and entertainment component, and is becoming
a preferred location to live. The result of this growth has created an architectural
mix that features new multi-storied concrete and glass buildings, interspersed among
older two- and three-storied brick commercial storefronts. While accommodating new
development, Greenville must encourage the preservation of those characteristics
which give the downtown its unique identity.
There are a distinct set of guidelines and procedures that have been developed for
properties located in the Central Business District. These guidelines are administered
by the Design Review Board, a nine-member
citizen board appointed by the Mayor and City Council, to protect Greenville's rich,
unique, cultural and architectural heritage. A set of design guidelines have been
established to assist the DRB and property owners in determining the appropriate
design concepts to maintain and enhance the district's character.
View
Frequently Asked Questions
View Design Guidelines for the Central Business District
Preservation Overlay District Design Primer
Within the city limits of Greenville, there are areas that contain buildings and
architectural details of historic significance. The City of Greenville has designated
these areas as Preservation Overlay Districts.
A preservation overlay is an additional zoning coverage that regulates the appearance
of property. Preservation overlays do not affect the underlying use zones in any
way. The uses available in the underlying zone will remain in effect under a preservation
overlay - with the added protection for appearance.
There are a distinct set of guidelines and procedures that have been developed for
properties located in a preservation overlay district. These guidelines are administered
by the Design Review Board (DRB), a nine-member citizen board appointed
by the Mayor and City Council, to protect Greenville's rich, unique, cultural and
architectural heritage. A set of design guidelines have been established to assist
the DRB and property owners in determining the appropriate design concepts to maintain
the districts' character.
View
Frequently Asked Questions
View Design Guidelines for the Central Business District