The BullStreet District is taking its next major step toward becoming Columbia’s premier walkable, urban neighborhood with the introduction of The Lawn—a dynamic community gathering space designed to bring people together.

Set to open in 2025, The Lawn, flanked by the Bennet at BullStreet luxury apartments and the WestLawn office building, will serve as the central meeting space for dining, recreation and cultural connection. It will be surrounded by a vibrant mix of retail, restaurants and workspaces.

Rendering by 4240 Architecture 

Designed with families in mind, The Lawn features a 3,750 square foot artificial turf play area with tiered seating, an event stage, café and bistro tables, and more. Catenary lights will cover the turf area and speakers will be installed in the planters around The Lawn to enhance the experience.

The roughly one-acre public space is designed to bring people together, with flexibility for smaller events like yoga classes or a one-man band, to larger gatherings like holiday markets or weekend festivals.

The centerpiece of The Lawn is the revitalized Williams Building, soon to be home to Coastal Crust Wood-fired Pizza. This reimagined space combines the charm of the historic façade with a striking modern design, creating a seamless blend of Columbia’s past and future.

The building opens directly onto a large green space and public plaza, offering a versatile, year-round destination for families, friends and professionals alike.

The Lawn is more than just a park, said Robert Hughes, President and CEO of Hughes Development Corporation. “We have always said that we hope BullStreet becomes the ‘third place’ for everyone in Columbia—after your home and your work, we want the next place people think to go to be BullStreet. The Lawn provides the perfect outdoor space for people to relax and enjoy all that BullStreet has to offer,” he said.

“If you’re early to meet your spouse or friends, you’ll just say ‘let’s meet at The Lawn,’ and everyone will know right where you are,” added Hughes. “If your kids need a space to run around while you grab a pizza, you’ll go to Coastal Crust and sit outside under the lights while the kids play. It is meant to be the everyday heartbeat of the entire district.”

The BullStreet District will be Coastal Crust Wood-fired Pizza’s first Columbia location. It’s now serving Mount Pleasant, James Island, Greenville, Isle of Palms in Wild Dunes Resort and Travelers Rest, S.C.

Their pizzas are hand-stretched and baked in a custom-built 900+ degree oven. Coastal Crust sources kiln-dried oak wood that offers a bright smoky aroma to the pizzas.

“We were looking for just the right restaurant that reflects what The Lawn is all about, and we were thrilled to get Coastal Crust to do just that,” Hughes said.

“When I learned about the plans for The Lawn and saw all of the activity at BullStreet, it became clear that is the essence of the Coastal Crust tradition,” said Coastal Crust President Brian Piesner. “We create an elevated casual experience for everyone, particularly for families, and we cannot wait to get started.”