Project Information
In late 2022, the Aiken Corporation engaged McMillan Pazdan Smith (MPS) to conduct a feasibility study for a potential project in Aiken, South Carolina. At the time, the Aiken Corporation was attempting to attract a $20 Million investment in the form of a grant from the PU Settlement Fund from the South Carolina General Assembly. The proposed project concept was to build a mixed-use building in Downtown Aiken that would support the growth of the region’s knowledge economy. The new facility was targeted to serve as a workplace for 75-100 jobs and be located on land owned by the City of Aiken in the heart of Downtown, thus also serving as a catalyst for further economic development.
A feasibility study was conducted with members of the public to give citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns about a potential project downtown. Following that session, the design team spent time understanding the existing site conditions, the potential tenant’s ideal space needs and how this user might interact with the proposed public spaces in the building.
The resulting space needs indicates a three-story, 36,000 square foot building, with the top two floors being occupied by the proposed office tenant and the ground floor serving as event/meeting space.