Bringing New Life to Landmark Public Space
Thrasher partnered with the City of Charleston to reimagine Slack Plaza, a key public space in the heart of downtown. Positioned between the activity of Capitol Street and the Charleston Convention Center—and adjacent to a major transit hub—the plaza serves as a central gathering point for residents and visitors alike. Originally built in the 1980s, the space had become dated, with nonfunctional features and underutilized areas.
To revitalize the plaza, Thrasher led a comprehensive planning and community engagement process, gathering input from local stakeholders to shape the design. The team then provided full design and construction documentation services to move the project from concept to completion.
Reopened in April 2022, the renovated Slack Plaza now features expanded green space, a performance stage, café-style seating, painted murals, live walls, public art installations, splash bubblers, and upgraded lighting and landscaping—transforming the area into a vibrant, welcoming destination for the Charleston community.
Supporting Growth Through Planning and Design
Designed with flexibility in mind, the revitalized plaza now accommodates food truck hook-ups along the central pathway, offers bike racks and public phone chargers, and includes the infrastructure needed to support seasonal features such as a temporary ice rink during the holidays.
The transformation has reestablished Slack Plaza as a true downtown destination—a place for residents and visitors to gather, enjoy events, and experience community life in the heart of Charleston. Since the project’s completion, the surrounding area has seen renewed interest and private investment, including new residential, dining, and entertainment developments that continue to build on the plaza’s momentum.
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