The new steward of the ongoing downtown Union Pier redevelopment project, local philanthropist Ben Navarro, says the endeavor is far too important and far too complicated to be left on some architect or planner’s table.

Instead, he wrote in an Oct. 18 commentary, that leaders should instead use the same concepts that the original creators of all great cities used.

“Let’s lay out the best places for civic buildings and public parks and a street grid that extends Charleston to and through Union Pier,” Navarro wrote in The Post and Courier. “Let’s come up with a plan that not only protects Union Pier from water but also helps alleviate the problems of the surrounding neighborhoods. Let’s begin on the edges and work our way in.”

When asked for comments about Union Pier plans, Beemok officials pointed to the opinion piece.

The first step has already been taken, he said. Beemok, Nvarro’s company that owns the Union Pier property, previously purchased the abandoned Carroll building at the corner of Market and East Bay streets. The property is now being given to the College of Charleston in a partnership to build a world-class school to act as a gateway between the college and Union Pier.

“Along with the new building, we will work with Mayor [William] Cogswell to completely reimagine the section of Market Street east of East Bay,” Navarro said. “I can’t wait for the day that students are enjoying this new bustling area of downtown.”

Since Navarro purchased the site in spring 2024, there has been little progress that people can see through the barbed-wire fences that have long surrounded the industrial port site. Local advocacy groups and project leaders, however, have said that’s a good thing and that developers should take their time with the project. Still, it has hit several goals in the last year and a half, including:

  • Ending all contracted cruise ship operations in the summer of 2026;
  • Held public workshops to better understand the property’s history, opportunities and challenges;
  • Held more than 50 meetings with stakeholders to hear their concerns and desires for the project;
  • Partnered with the city of Charleston to update its comprehensive plan to include a vision statement for Union Pier.

“I think of this as intentional and incremental development, and this is my vision for all of Union Pier,” Navarro said. “We don’t do master plans but rather bespoke projects that better our city and move it forward for the benefit of the next generation. This embodies the importance of stewardship and understanding the overall picture of Charleston.”

A Beemok representative, city leaders and local advocacy groups headed to Europe on an eight-day research trip on Nov. 3. The trip will focus on ideas for sustainable waterfront development, resilient infrastructure and responsible tourism management — all to better understand the direction they want to take on Union Pier.

In early 2026, Beemok is expected to convene follow-up meetings to review findings and identify practical applications for Charleston’s ongoing waterfront planning efforts.

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