"ALL ROADS LEAD TO COMPASS"
Compass Galleria Mall
Columbia South Carolina
The Dutch Square Mall
55 in 2025
First, our 164-acre Dutch Square Mall opened as the first indoor, air-conditioned suburban mall in South Carolina’s capital city, Columbia. At its height, the iconic retail giant employed over 3,800 people. The mall featured large anchor tenants and a wide range of shops: Belk, J.B. White’s, Tapp’s, and Sears, with food favorites like Chick-fil-A, Cornett’s, Hickory Farms, Lourie’s, and Morrison’s Cafeteria. The mall attracted over 300,000 shoppers weekly from across the Midlands and beyond. Its fully climate-controlled interior provided relief from South Carolina’s sweltering heat, conserving energy and offering a safe retail experience.
International
Galleria Mall
To breathe new life into this historic economic hub, WOGCDC is transforming the Dutch Square Mall into the INTERNATIONAL GALLERIA—a dynamic, multi-faceted indoor marketplace that celebrates both multiculturalism and commerce. Shoppers will encounter vibrant food markets, global vendors, and locally handcrafted products, alongside live performances and diverse dining experiences. Envision a 45,000-square-foot indoor “world’s fair” where visitors can explore international art, discover unique boutiques, and savor flavors from around the world—all under one roof.
The INTERNATIONAL GALLERIA provides an alternative to outdoor strip malls by delivering an indoor retail experience that is environmentally friendly and weather-protected. With themes that have drastically changed over the years, this reinvigorated retail establishment is ripe for South Carolina’s changing climate and consumer needs. Its inherent goal is to provide visitors with a climate-controlled, energy-conscious retail destination that celebrates diversity and community.
Highlights include:
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International flair: Merchants and vendors representing cultures from around the world.
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Local integration: Street food from local bodegas, handcrafted goods, and community artisans.
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Entertainment & culture: Live performances, exhibitions, and cultural showcases.
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Connectivity: Adjacent to the City of Columbia’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, the RIVERBANKS Zoo, the Broad River, major retail fronts, and the COMET bus connector.
COMPASS MEDIA
The Compass Media | Animation Studios is expanding its footprint in the region with the acquisition of the 40 acres and 550,000 square feet – DUTCH SQUARE MALL. The mall is situated between two rivers (the Broad River and the Saluda River) along with the world renowned Riverbanks Zoo and Garden – home to more than 3,000 animals, a beautiful botanical garden, and additional scenic river views.
Compass Animation Studios, one of the largest African American owned animation studios in the region, will develop its corporate Headquarters on site at the mall that incorporates its own venues: theaters, restaurants, lounges, art housing, Bird’s Grand Fun Station, Skyworks, a children’s dream center, live state-of-the-art entertainment, and a games venue for children and adults too.
Currently operating 14 existing movie theaters and a Planet Fitness facility, this 7-zone mall location sets the stage for animated characters to bring the campus to life every weekend, delighting youth with interactive entertainment.
I.S.E.E SILICON SOUTH INNOVATION CENTER
The I.S.E.E. (INNOVATION, SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND ENTERTAINMENT) initiative is the epicenter of the Dutch Square Revitalization Project. It houses the INNOVATION CENTER, located at the former Belk department store space, consisting of 180,000 square feet.
The INNOVATION CENTER is an experiential learning adventure designed to highlight technological exhibitions, automotive science, engineering, medical research, and advanced training opportunities for the most progressive, career-responsive academic institutions, corporations, and organizations. This space will feature over 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting and collaborative spaces designed to host events, exhibitions, and conventions. Additionally, it will expose over 500,000 students annually from across the state of South Carolina to experiential learning opportunities in the high-tech, hospitality, and manufacturing industries, helping address statewide educational and workforce needs.
The Center drives entrepreneurial advancement by identifying workforce needs in the region and creating future opportunities for underrepresented communities. By clarifying workforce needs in areas such as renewable energy and battery production, the INNOVATION CENTER prepares urban youth and young adults for the last, exploitable frontier of technical labor in South Carolina.
Proposals developed as part of this initiative will focus on helping entrepreneurs and organizations make long-range plans, supporting new enterprise creation, and promoting job training that benefits the community. The Center’s programming will support the next generation of workforce readiness and skill development, with a particular emphasis on historically underrepresented populations.
Under the Silicon South initiative umbrella, the Innovation Center is strategically positioned as an urban community hub that ensures workforce demand is met by providing resources, training staff, movie animation, and production. The Innovation Center will work closely with Compass Animation Studios and the Dutch Square Revitalization Project to leverage the mall campus as a high-impact, multi-faceted anchor for economic growth, creativity, and opportunity in the Midlands.
In addition to training staff in movie animation and production, the Innovation Center develops specialized learning programs in AI, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and other STEM-based industries. On the Silicon South campus, the Innovation Center will also provide resources for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and professionals that support South Carolina’s growing economy, while educating students about these new technical possibilities.
