From Textile Mills to Investment Magnet

Rock Hill, SC, a city with a proud history of textile mills, is now developing into an exciting new chapter of growth and opportunity. At its core is Knowledge Park, a beautifully designed 23-acre restoration project that is converting old industrial sites into a stirring and lively mixed-use community.

It’s an authentic Southern transformation where mill bones have been changed into lofts, offices, eateries, and a pulsing public space that connects Winthrop University to Rock Hill’s Old Town, infused with true Southern grit and charm. Investors, take note… this town has some serious upside.

Reviving “The Bleachery” into a Mixed-Use Power Player

Knowledge Park’s epicenter is the University Center, a bold redevelopment of the historic Rock Hill Printing & Finishing Company site (known locally as “The Bleachery”). Stretching across 23 acres, this $200–$ 250 million project has already expanded to approximately 1.3 million square feet. The development features Class-A office space, student housing, market-rate apartments, retail, restaurants, and hospitality services. Inside that mix sits the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center, a 170,000‑square‑foot indoor complex that’s held steady since opening in 2019, hosting everything from college tournaments to trade shows.

The University Center also features the Lowenstein Building, a storied five-story textile structure converted into approximately 225,000 square feet of premium office, retail, and restaurant space. That beautiful brick-and-beam charm has been paired with ultra-fast fiber, making it a sought-after spot for artistic millennials.

A District Anchored by Energy and Life

The Rock Hill Sports & Event Center excels at activating the area. With a 12,500‑square‑foot championship court (1,200 seats), a 72,000‑square‑foot main court (700 seats), plus eight basketball courts, sixteen volleyball courts, a quarter-mile walking track, and multi-purpose rooms… It draws a crowd. That steady calendar of leagues and events supports nearby hotels, restaurants, and retail, creating a walkable neighborhood.

Speaking of rooftops, The Nest student housing (approximately 305 beds) and market-rate apartments (around 150 units), along with a Cambria Hotel featuring 110 rooms, create a built-in constituency of residents and guests.

Authenticity in Every Brick

Not every city gets to repurpose history, but Rock Hill does. Developers embraced the area’s mill legacy, highlighting authenticity: brick walls, exposed timber, high ceilings… the kind of details that tell a story.

That story attracts buyers. Creative office tenants pay higher rents for character. Loft residents sign long leases to live somewhere genuine, not uninspired. Retailers understand this type of place brings in loyal foot traffic. In short, these are place-based assets, not generic boxes.

Opportunity Zones Add Strategic Flavor

Knowledge Park is located within Opportunity Zone census tracts, making it an exciting opportunity for patient investors. Those who have a long-term perspective, buying, renovating, leasing, and eventually exiting over approximately ten years, can benefit from federal tax incentives specifically designed for this kind of thoughtful, creative investment.

It’s a smart combination of strong assets, an effective strategy, and advantageous tax benefits that make this place truly appealing.

What to Watch

Over the next 24–36 months, rooftop occupancy and leasing velocity will be the true indicators of success. How quickly will The Thread’s upcoming 155 loft units fill up? Will creative office tenants sign for Lowenstein’s spaces? The Sports & Event Center’s ongoing tournament pipeline keeps the energy alive.

Additionally, public amenities are designed to attract locals to the neighborhood long after events have ended. More broadly, as Charlotte expands southward, Rock Hill’s identity is shifting from just a suburb to an integrated part of the region’s economic network. Institutional capital is beginning to accelerate this transformation.

Investor’s Southern Invitation

If you’re looking for a market with scale, authentic character, development momentum, and tax-smart structure, Knowledge Park delivers. It’s a model for well-executed urban repositioning with southern soul and real ROI potential.

The mills aren’t just silent relics anymore, they’re humming with possibility. And if you lean in now, you’re not just investing in property, you’re investing in Rock Hill’s next chapter.

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