Palmetto Building

The Palmetto Building is a 15-story office building with steel frame construction standing at 1400 Main Street in downtown Columbia. Its approximately 215-foot height and structural design remain defining features of the city's central district.

Designed by Julius Harder in 1913, this building became South Carolina's first skyscraper and tallest structure at that time. Its construction showed new technical capabilities for urban development in the region.

This building shows how early 20th-century business architecture shaped downtown Columbia's look and feel. Visitors can see the design details that made it stand out as a symbol of the city's growth during that period.

The building sits on Main Street in the heart of downtown and is easily accessible on foot. The location offers good walkability for visitors who want to view the historic architecture from the street.

The structure was converted into a hotel in the early 2000s while keeping its original architectural details intact. This transformation shows how historic buildings can adapt to new purposes while preserving their character.

Location: Columbia

Inception: 1913

Architects: Julius Harder

Floors above the ground: 15

GPS coordinates: 34.00389,-81.03472

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:41