University Hill is one of Columbia’s oldest neighborhoods and is known for its leisurely elegance and charm. Designed in 1964 as an Architectural Conservation District (ACD) by the City of Columbia, its wide tree-lines streets, generous tree zones, and setbacks have been preserved. Homes in this area primarily date from 1885 to 1950 and contain a range of architectural styles, often exhibiting the work of regionally and locally prominent architects. Due to its designation as an ACD, creatively designed newer homes also maintain the neighborhood’s scale, character, and established setbacks.
The historic design and scale of the homes and properties afford drivers or walkers in the neighborhood beautiful glimpses of the splendor of the past. Live oaks, one-hundred-year old crepe myrtles, hydrangeas, azaleas, and climbing fig vines abound. Flanked on one side by the State House and the flagship University of South Carolina with the Five Points shopping, restaurant, and bar district to the other, University Hill is ideally located for downtown living. Sidewalk laden streets lead to numerous points of interest within walking distance in the city, including the university’s famous backyard “Horseshoe”, McKissick Museum, Town, Longstreet, and Workshop theaters, Maxcy Gregg Park and Olympic size pool, Columbia’s Senior Center, downtown Main Street, and live music in the Five Points district.