MAULDIN, S.C. —
A new town center in Mauldin is getting closer to completion. Bridgeway Station is already fully leased out to shops and restaurants like Stellas, Table 301, and Old Europe Desserts.
The more than $150 million project broke ground almost two years ago, and short of a moat, is one of the biggest and most unique projects to be built in the area.
"It probably does look like a castle," said developer Phil Hughes of project people can spot from Highway 385, near Bridges Road. "We love that people love it from the highway, but wait until you come in."
A taste of Italy right here in Mauldin, Bridgeway Station will be a mixed-used development featuring local restaurants, breweries, shops, and apartments, as well as offices and hotels. All of these businesses soon be just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
The walkable town center invites visitors to eat, drink, and shop indoors and out. Hughes says there will be live entertainment and events throughout the year.
"No one likes to walk into a big box with no windows," Hughes said. "There's more to life than just doing that, and we want to have people having fun outside as much as it is inside."
Hughes said the project has many Italian and Greenville inspirations, down to the smallest details. If the space feels somehow familiar, there's a reason for that. Certain aspects were inspired by local buildings, like Furman Tower, the Old Greenville City Hall, and Southern Depot Station Tower.
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"It's really, hopefully, the magic size so that it feels you are somewhere different, but it's close by and easy, and wonderful, where you want to come back," he said. "And that's something that doesn't exist in the suburbs right now."
Many of those authentic touches, down the bricks and tiling, were imported from Italy. You can imagine the inflation and supply chain issues they faced, Hughes said.
He continued, "It's been a struggle in many ways. And almost every subcontractor, contractor has faced these supply chain issues. It has not gone away. We keep hoping it will, we keep hoping prices will be more reasonable, and it is a different world.”
Hughes said those supply chain issues meant their grand opening will be later than expected, most likely in less than two years. In the meantime, the work continues.
"We have people moving in literally in a matter of days. And they're kind enough to understand there's still a great deal of other construction going on. We're just in the process of turning over some of our retail restaurants and shops to some of our spaces on the ground floor. It will take them several months to finish up their space," Hughes said.