If you grew up in Columbia, you know the vibe of Richland Mall South Carolina. It was that weird, multi-level concrete fortress at the corner of Beltline and Forest Drive. For years, it felt less like a shopping center and more like a quiet monument to a version of 1980s retail that just couldn't survive the internet. Honestly, walking through those halls in the early 2020s was eerie. You had a massive Belk, a very resilient Barnes & Noble, a movie theater, and... mostly silence.
People have been predicting the death—and the rebirth—of this place for decades. It became a local meme. A ghost mall. But things are actually moving now. This isn't just another "mall is dying" story. It’s a massive, multi-million dollar demolition and reconstruction project that is fundamentally shifting how Forest Acres looks.
The weird history of a retail experiment
Richland Mall was never just a normal mall. It started as an open-air center in the 1960s, which people actually loved. Then, developers decided to go big. In the late 80s, it was transformed into the "Richland Fashion Mall." They spent a fortune. We’re talking about a rooftop parking deck that was supposed to be revolutionary but ended up being mostly confusing for anyone just trying to grab a pair of jeans.
It had the high-end aspirations. Bonwit Teller opened there. For those who don't follow retail history, Bonwit Teller was a massive deal in New York fashion. Having one in Columbia was a statement. But the timing was a disaster. The mall opened right as the economy took a hit, and it never really found its footing against Columbiana Centre or the village-style growth in other parts of the city.
The layout was the biggest enemy. It was a maze. You could be on the second floor and have no idea how to get to the store you saw from the parking lot. Retailers hate that. Customers hate it more. Eventually, the big names bailed. S&S Cafeteria stayed for a while, acting as a beacon for the Sunday lunch crowd, but even that wasn't enough to keep the lights on in the sprawling corridors.
Why the demolition matters for Forest Acres
Forest Acres is a unique "city within a city." It has high property values, great schools, and a population that definitely has money to spend. Yet, for twenty years, its biggest piece of real estate was a concrete shell.
Demolition finally started in earnest in 2024. Seeing the wrecking balls hit the old Parisian/Belk wing was a trip for locals. It felt like the end of an era, sure, but mostly it felt like a relief. Southeastern Development is the firm behind the $100 million-plus overhaul. They aren't trying to build another mall. Nobody wants that.
🔗 Read more: Is Today a Holiday for the Stock Market? What You Need to Know Before the Opening Bell
The plan is "Richland Gateway."
Instead of an enclosed box, we’re getting a mixed-use development. Think apartments—over 500 of them. Think a grocery store. Think green space. It’s designed to be walkable. This is the "Live, Work, Play" model that every developer talks about, but in Forest Acres, it actually makes sense because the area is already a residential hub.
The Barnes & Noble survival story
One of the most interesting things about Richland Mall South Carolina was the Barnes & Noble. It’s one of the best-performing bookstores in the region. Even when the mall was 90% empty and the escalators didn't work, people went to that Barnes & Noble.
It’s staying. Sort of.
The developer knew that losing the bookstore would cause a local riot. It’s a community staple. So, part of the new plan involves keeping that anchor presence, just in a much more modern, accessible format. It won't be tucked inside a dying mall anymore; it’ll be part of a vibrant streetscape.
The economics of a $100 million gamble
Why now? Why did it take thirty years to fix this?
💡 You might also like: Olin Corporation Stock Price: What Most People Get Wrong
Property rights are a headache. For a long time, the mall was split between different owners who couldn't agree on what color to paint the walls, let alone how to tear the whole thing down. You had different stakeholders for the parking garage, the anchor stores, and the main mall interior. It was a legal stalemate.
Southeastern Development had to painstakingly buy up these interests to clear the way for a single vision. Then there’s the tax incentive side. The City of Forest Acres and Richland County had to get creative with tax district financing to make the numbers work. Demolishing massive concrete structures is incredibly expensive—often more expensive than building on fresh land.
What's actually going in there?
Forget the old food court. The new vision for the Richland Mall site is all about density.
- Residential Units: They are looking at luxury apartments that will bring a few thousand people directly onto the site. This creates a built-in customer base for the shops.
- Green Space: There’s going to be a central park area. This is a huge pivot from the old design, which was basically 100% impervious surface (concrete and asphalt).
- Retail and Dining: No more massive department stores. The focus is on smaller boutiques and "lifestyle" retail—think gyms, cafes, and specialized service shops.
- A New Grocery Store: Rumors have swirled about which brand will take the spot. While developers have been tight-lipped, the footprint is designed for a high-end grocer to compete with the nearby Publix and Whole Foods.
Is the movie theater coming back?
The Regal Cinema at Richland Mall was another survivor. It had that neon-drenched, slightly dated charm. It’s gone for now. The new development focuses more on the outdoors and residential living than on a massive multiplex. While some people miss the "hidden" movie theater vibe, the reality is that the theater industry has changed, and a massive 20-screen house doesn't fit the new "village" aesthetic.
Common misconceptions about the site
I hear a lot of people saying, "They’re just building more apartments we don't need."
Actually, Forest Acres has a major housing shortage for young professionals and retirees who want to downsize but stay in the area. Most of the housing in the 29204 and 29206 zip codes consists of single-family homes built in the 50s and 60s. There’s very little modern, high-density living. This project fills that gap.
📖 Related: Funny Team Work Images: Why Your Office Slack Channel Is Obsessed With Them
Another myth? That the mall failed because of the neighborhood.
Wrong. Forest Acres is thriving. The mall failed because its physical design was obsolete by 1995. It was a "Type A" mall in a "Type B" retail world. It couldn't compete with the ease of Target down the street or the sheer scale of the mall in Harbison. It was a victim of bad architecture and even worse timing.
What you should do next
If you live in the area or are moving to Columbia, keep an eye on the traffic patterns around Forest Drive. The construction is a mess right now. That’s just the reality of a project this size.
If you’re a small business owner, start looking at the leasing agents for Richland Gateway now. This is going to be the most "prime" real estate in the city once the first phase of apartments opens. The foot traffic will be unlike anything that corner has seen since 1989.
For the nostalgia seekers: go take your photos of the remaining exterior now. By the end of 2026, the Richland Mall South Carolina we all knew—the weird, quiet, concrete giant—will be completely unrecognizable.
Actionable Steps for Locals and Investors:
- Monitor Zoning Meetings: If you live in the adjacent neighborhoods like Gills Creek or Forest Lake, stay active in the Forest Acres city council updates. The final "mix" of retail is still being tweaked.
- Check Property Values: If you own a home within a two-mile radius, expect a significant bump in equity once the "eyesore" factor is replaced by a luxury mixed-use development.
- Plan Your Commute: Forest Drive is already a bottleneck. The new development will add significant density. Look for alternative routes like Trenholm Road or Percival if you’re trying to cross town during peak hours.
- Support Remaining Tenants: Remember that Barnes & Noble and other peripheral businesses are still operating during this transition. They need the support now more than ever while they navigate the construction chaos.
The "New Richland" isn't a mall. It’s a neighborhood. And honestly, that’s exactly what Forest Acres needed.