The 65,000-square-foot headquarters relocation and expansion for Lima One Capital is expected to serve as a major catalyst for the billion-dollar mixed-use redevelopment of the County Square site in Greenville, South Carolina. In recognition of its overall impact on the Greenville market, the lease has been selected as the winner of the 2024 CoStar Impact Award as judged by a local team of real estate professionals familiar with the market.
This was the first office lease executed for the large development project by Atlanta-based RocaPoint Partners that will house hospitality, multifamily, Greenville County offices, and retail space leased to Whole Foods, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn and other notable retailers.
Lima One Capital has funded over $7 billion in loans for real estate investors. The company provides bridge loans, rental property and portfolio loans, new construction loans and multifamily bridge lending. The company said it explored several other markets before committing to keep its headquarters in Greenville. Lima One said that Greenville’s access to skilled employees and the quality of life it provides are compelling traits that support its growth and company culture.
About the Project: The company’s $51.4 million investment will create approximately 300 new jobs in the market to more than double the size of current operations located at 201 E. McBee Ave., Suite 300 in Greenville. The company also has an operations center in Irvine, California. The expansion is expected to be completed by 2025.
RocaPoint is the master developer of the $1.1 billion redevelopment of the 37-acre site located along University Ridge in downtown Greenville. The redeveloped County Square is scheduled to have a combined total of 3 million square feet of new office, retail, hotel, residential, and public space, and will include a new $65 million County Square administration building.
Greenville County took occupancy of its new 262,000-square-foot administrative building and 1,000-space parking deck in late 2023.
What the Judges Said: "Lima One Capital will serve as a pioneer for future tenants moving into the new County Square development," said Matt Foster, founder/Residential Property Management, Carolina Moves. "The lease was a catalyst for economic activity across Greenville. The entire development is an outstanding example of public/private partnerships and revitalization!" "This is a great lease and an outstanding development," added Darath Mackie, broker with Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services. "This will be a huge catalyst to what is going to be one of the biggest mixed-use projects in the state," agreed Brian Hammond, senior broker for NAI Earle Furman. "It was also the first office lease executed in the redevelopment project."
Other judges included Josh Hakala, partner, Founders Group, Elaine Worzala, professor in the Department of Finance, and Dustin Read, director of the Master Real Estate Development Program, both at Clemson University.
They Made it Happen: Lima One was represented by Keith Jones CCIM, SIOR and McNeill Epps SIOR of NAI Earle Furman. Senior Vice Presidents Blaine Hart and Shelby Dodson and Vice President Charles Gouch of CBRE represented the developer, RocaPoint.
CoStar Market Manager Amanda Thomas contributed.