Cornerstone for Future Growth: Greenville County Opens New Headquarters
By Bob Mihalic
Standing on the skywalk watching citizens glide through the breeze way to their easily accessible destination, Greenville County Council Chairman Dan Tripp absorbed all that was around him.
“There is not another county government building in the nation that looks like this,” he says.
The new Greenville County Administration building is 250,000 square feet of “openness.” Its unique steel and glass design is intended to be reflective of the transparency of government.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind building,” says Councilman Butch Kirven. “It symbolizes the spirit of residents of Greenville County.”
Designed by the world-renowned architects at Foster +Partners, the building is a landmark that will serve generations of residents.
“It is something to be proud of and reflects the high level of professionalism that is our county workforce,” says County Administrator Joe Kernell.
Beautiful and highly functional, the structure features North and South buildings connected by a third-floor skywalk with the terrace level being one continuous floor that houses five courtrooms and other support offices. The North building features County Council Chambers and administration while the South is home to customer service departments such as the Tax and Auditor’s Offices, Real Property, and Land Development divisions.
The building is supported by a new 1,050 slot parking garage, is accessible by the 22-mile Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail and is framed by green spaces that include a Veterans Memorial and reflection area.
“Easy access and a user-friendly experience were an essential part of the design,” says Tripp.
Creating an efficient and desirable workspace for the more than 500 county employees was also the goal.
“Behind the scenes, departments that work together are now interconnected creating easy work flow,” says Kernell acknowledging that this new building will attract and maintain an excellent workforce.
The building is the cornerstone for future growth, and Kernell says he is most excited about what is yet to come.
Read tge full article in the Fall 2023 issue of County Focus magazine.