Columbia's project boom boosts demand for extended-stay lodging

Longer business assignments tied to campus construction and other regional projects are pushing corporate travelers toward extended-stay hotels in Columbia, South Carolina. LivSmart Studios by Hilton Columbia Greystone is positioning itself near the University of South Carolina and downtown for teams that need kitchens, workspace and laundry access over multi-week stays.

Why it matters: - Extended business trips are becoming more common, and corporate travel buyers are shifting from standard hotel rooms to lodging built for weeks-long assignments. - Engine's 2026 Business Travel Forecast says extended-stay bookings are rising, while average business trip length is up 10% since 2023. - Construction and energy crews often book two to four weeks out for extended stays, based on Engine business travel data. - Columbia's campus construction pipeline is adding more demand for project housing near the University of South Carolina.

What happened: - LivSmart Studios by Hilton Columbia Greystone highlighted its role in serving extended-stay corporate travelers in Columbia, South Carolina. - The property is located at 175 Stoneridge Drive, off Interstate 126. - The hotel is 3.5 miles from the University of South Carolina campus, 3 miles from downtown Columbia and 3.3 miles from the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. - The property is also 0.4 miles from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

The details: - Each studio suite includes a full kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, two-burner cooktop, microwave and dishwasher. - The suites also include pots, pans, dishes and utensils. - Each room includes a workspace and dining table with chairs. - The hotel offers on-site guest laundry, a fitness center, an outdoor patio and complimentary grab-and-go continental breakfast. - Accommodations come in 1 Queen Bed, 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds configurations. - The property is newly built. - The University of South Carolina has an annual economic impact of $4.2 billion in the Columbia metro area, according to a 2025 Darla Moore School of Business study. - USC supports one in 10 jobs in the region, according to that study. - Construction is underway on USC's $300 million Health Sciences Campus on 16 acres in the BullStreet District. - The first phase is a 300,000-square-foot medical education and research building expected to open in August 2027. - USC's Board of Trustees approved a standalone neurological care hospital in March 2026.

Between the lines: - The core shift is away from hotel stays designed for a night or two and toward apartment-style lodging that supports work, meals and downtime. - The university's expansion is not just a campus story. It is a local lodging story, a commuting story and a workforce mobility story. - Properties close to major project sites gain an edge when teams need to keep travel time low and stay on site for weeks at a time.

What's next: - The Health Sciences Campus is set to bring more consultants, construction managers and medical planners to Columbia as the project advances. - The medical education and research building is scheduled to open in August 2027. - The approved neurological care hospital could add another wave of long-stay demand once development moves forward. - Extended-stay hotels near USC and downtown Columbia are likely to remain competitive as project-based travel continues to grow.

The bottom line: - Columbia's mix of university construction and longer business assignments is making extended-stay lodging a more important part of the city's travel market.