Press and Media

New, modern event venue, Central Energy, celebrates grand opening at BullStreet

Downtown Columbia, South Carolina’s newest event venue, Central Energy, is now open, and we’re thrilled to have this expansive, modern space at BullStreet. Large enough to accommodate more than 900 guests, Central Energy is located on the corner of Calhoun and Gregg Streets.

Central Energy is celebrating its grand opening with a free, public event Thursday, March 7, 2019, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Central Energy exterior | photo by Joshua Aaron for Central Energy

Central Energy — formerly a central steam plant that has been carefully rehabilitated by Garvin Design Group and Hammer Construction to showcase its original character and charm — is a sleek, industrial space that will serve as a place for the community to relax, grow, and connect.

Originally, the Central Energy Facility was slated for demolition, but the innovative congregation at DOWNTOWN CHURCH has renovated the unique structure into a sleek, modern venue for all types of events, featuring more than 8,000 square feet of flexible rental space, as well some of the city’s largest indoor/outdoor social areas. Industrial accents add ambiance, while large bay doors roll open to a modern 2,700 sq. ft. courtyard. The versatile space features a stage that can open to the lawn.

Central Energy is ideal for a wide range of occasions, including wedding receptions, corporate meetings, fundraising galas, bar and bat mitzvahs, rehearsal dinners and reunions, and more. Capacity ranges from 900+ guests for standing-room only events, 600-700 guests for cocktail events and 500 guests for seated banquets, with the flexibility to host more intimate gatherings of 150-200 guests as well.

The grand opening event will feature design by premier event planner Melanie Murphy of By Invitation Only. The 8,000 sq. ft. space will be decked out with floral arrangements from John Gray Events, unique rental pieces from Party Reflections, and lighting and sound by Forte Productions, so that guests have the opportunity to envision the luxe events that will take place in the space.

Central Energy interior | photo by Joshua Aaron for Central Energy

Explore the main room, breakout rooms, courtyard and large back lawn with an outdoor stage throughout the evening.

Nibble on decadent hors d’oeuvres by in-house caterer Loosh Culinaire, and imbibe with a whiskey bar, a champagne bar, full bars and hard ice cream from Twist Bartending and Aleph Wines. Mobile coffee and cocktail bar, 72 Coffee Co will serve espresso-based sippers from their hip, vintage camper.  

Local duo and engaging live act, Prettier than Matt will bring their rock ‘n’ roll energy and easygoing acoustic accessibility to the 600 sq. ft. stage for the evening. The pair are known for their ability to bring a crowd to life and will echo the lively dynamic of the space.  

The grand opening event is open to the public. Complimentary valet parking is available through Southern Valet.

EVENT DETAILS
When: Thursday, March 7, 2019, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Central Energy, 2030 Gregg St., Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Directions: Enter the BullStreet District via Calhoun St. Central Energy is on the corner of Gregg and Calhoun Streets.
Parking: Complimentary valet is available through Southern Valet. Free parking is available on two gravel surface lots adjacent to the building. There is abundant street parking along Gregg Street.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1030413053820647/
Instagram: @centralenergyevents
@BullStreetSC / #BullStreetSC

About Central Energy
Central Energy is Columbia, S.C.’s most vibrant and versatile downtown event space, designed to make gatherings feel warm and welcoming. Located in the exciting BullStreet District of downtown Columbia, the venue features more than 8,000 square feet of flexible rental space, as well some of the city’s largest indoor/outdoor social areas. The building, formerly a central power plant, has been carefully renovated to preserve original character and charm. Industrial accents add ambiance, while large bay doors roll open to a modern, 2,700 s.f. courtyard, and the stage can open onto the lawn. Central Energy is ideal for a wide range of occasions, including wedding receptions, corporate meetings, fundraising galas, bar and bat mitzvahs, rehearsal dinners and reunions, and more. In-house catering is provided by Crawford Pressley’s Loosh Culinaire and Central Table catering companies. Capacity ranges from 900+ for standing-room only events, 600-700 for cocktail events and 500 for seated banquets. Follow @centralenergyevents and #centralenergyevents on Instagram, visit http://www.centralenergy.net, and contact events manager Caroline Glenn to schedule a visit: events@centralenergy.net, (803) 760-7505.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CentralEnergyColumbia/

About the BullStreet District
Known as the largest urban redevelopment project on the East Coast, the BullStreet District is an active transformation of the historic, 181-acre South Carolina State Hospital campus into a vibrant, mixed-use lifestyle district that reflects the authenticity of downtown Columbia, S.C. The state’s first urban gigabit community, BullStreet is a city-within-a-city, located one mile from the S.C. State House and anchored by the award-winning stadium, Segra Park (f.k.a. Spirit Communications Park), home of the Columbia Fireflies Minor League Baseball team. Well into a 20-year buildout that started in January 2015, the district already is home to an array of local and national businesses, including global tech giant Capgemini, Central Carolina Community Foundation, Founders Federal Credit Union and Ogletree Deakins law firm in the First Base Building; SOCO, COLAToday and tech/creative startups in the historic Bakery; Bone-In Barbeque restaurant in the historic Ensor Building; the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ Parker Annex Archaeology Center; the sleek, modern Central Energy event venue; and the new TownPark at BullStreet townhomes. Soon, the Merrill Gardens active senior community will open across the street from a new 20-acre public park, with a 2-acre pond, trails, dog park, restored creek and more. BullStreet contains 125,000+ square feet of commercial/office and retail space and is zoned for up to 3.3 million square feet of commercial use and 3,558 residential units. Follow @BullStreetSC and #BullStreetSC on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and learn more at https://bullstreetsc.com.