The history of high-rise buildings in Columbia, South Carolina began with the construction of the National Loan and Exchange Bank Building in 1903. A decade later, the Palmetto Building was built across the street, becoming the tallest in the state. During the 1970s and 80s, Columbia experienced a building boom, which brought economic growth to the region, including several of the city's tallest buildings.
The following table shows the fifteen tallest buildings in Columbia, South Carolina.[1]
| Rank | Name | Image | Height ft / m | Floors | Year | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capitol Center | 349 / 106 | 26 | 1987 | Tallest building in Columbia and South Carolina since its completion in 1987. | ||
| 2 | Hub at Columbia | 325 / 99 | 20 | 1983 | Tallest building in Columbia and South Carolina from 1983 to 1987, and is currently the 3rd-tallest building in South Carolina. The building is primarily used for University of South Carolina student housing. | ||
| 3 | Bank of America Plaza | 305 / 93 | 18 | 1989 | 3rd-tallest building in Columbia. | ||
| 4 | Tower at 1301 Gervais | 278 / 85 | 20 | 1973 | Was the tallest building in Columbia from 1973 to 1983. It is the tallest building in the city not located on the Main Street corridor.Tallest building constructed in Columbia in the 1970s. | ||
| 5 | Main and Gervais | 270 / 82 | 18 | 2009 | The most recently constructed office tower in Columbia.Tallest building constructed in Columbia in the 2000s. | ||
| 6 | Finlay House | 250 / 76 | 19 | 1965 | Tallest building constructed in Columbia in the 1960s. | ||
| 7 | The Meridian Building | 250 / 76 | 17 | 2004 | Features a distinctive crowning trellis on 17th floor. | ||
| 8 | 1441 Main / Wells Fargo Tower | 250 / 76 | 16 | 1988 | The Midlands headquarters of Wells Fargo. | ||
| 9 | The Heritage | 245 / 75 | 19 | 1976 | |||
| 10 | Senate Plaza Apartments | 241 / 73 | 19 | 1965 | |||
| 11 | Capstone House | 232 / 71 | 18 | 1967 | Has a rotating restaurant on the top (18th) floor that reused from the Gas Pavillion at the New York Worlds Fair, houses the offices of the University of South Carolina Capstone Scholars. | ||
| 12 | Palmetto Building | 215 / 66 | 15 | 1913 | The oldest skyscraper in South Carolina and Columbia, now houses the Sheraton Hotel. Upon completion, it was the tallest building in South Carolina. | ||
| 13 | Cornell Arms Apartments | 210 / 64 | 18 | 1948 | |||
| 14 | Marion Street Apartments | 208 / 63 | 17 | 1975 | |||
| 15 | USC South Tower | 205 / 62 | 18 | 1965 | Second-tallest building on the University of South Carolina campus. |