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Design review board approves City Hall exterior renovation and council‑chamber addition
Summary
The board approved CA26‑500 for exterior renovations, transparency improvements and a council‑chamber addition at Greenville City Hall (206 S. Main) 3–0; staff required a scaled material mockup, separate review for signage and compliance with the Vested Rights Act of South Carolina.
The Design Review Board Urban Panel voted unanimously on June 18 to approve CA26‑500, a proposal to renovate and expand Greenville City Hall at 206 South Main Street, including a new ground‑floor council chamber, a more transparent façade, ADA improvements and plaza upgrades.
Planning staff summarized the proposal as an exterior skin replacement (retaining the travertine service core), a new transparent wall system with aluminum composite banding and shaded sun‑screen elements, a first‑floor addition to house council chambers and overflow space, a drop‑off lane on West Court Street, and plaza revisions to improve accessibility and pedestrian engagement. Staff recommended approval with conditions: a scaled material mockup reviewed and approved by staff and two board members, signage to be handled through separate CA review, and that the certificate be subject to the Vested Rights Act of South Carolina.
Project architect Marco Nicotera (Perkins and Will), partnering with DP3 Architects, said the design aims to create a more open, welcoming civic building by bringing public functions to the ground floor, improving ADA access to the Main Street frontage and introducing a canopy design inspired by Greenville's tree canopy and daily light patterns. Nicotera emphasized retaining the travertine vertical core while updating materials and improving the pedestrian experience.
During public comment, Jason Smith urged the board to preserve the existing 1970s modernist facade, arguing the building has reached an age that often merits historic consideration and that the dark bronze cladding and vertical window rhythm are character‑defining. Board members acknowledged those concerns but concluded the proposed work improves accessibility, public engagement and the pedestrian realm and does not irreversibly destroy contributing elements; the board approved the application with the staff‑recommended conditions by roll call vote 3–0.
The board required a site material mockup and the separate staff review of signage before construction permits are issued.
