Company releases building design for new downtown Shakespeare’s Pizza

McAlester Park, LLCtodayreleased the design of a new development in downtown Columbia. The new six-story building at the corner of 9 th and Elm will include retail on the first floor, office space on the second floor, and 50 apartments above.

The design of this new building was influenced by the Downtown Columbia Community Improvement District’s (CID) voluntary design guidelines. The guidelines refer to this location as part of “University Edge.”

The ground floor of the 9 th and Elm building will be made up of three separate retail spaces, including the iconic Shakespeare’s Pizza. Shakespeare’s, which has been located at 9 th and Elm since 1973, has signed a 50-year lease to keep the restaurant at its original location for generations to come.

Officials say the new Shakespeare’swill be 30 percent larger and will have a similar layout, feel and atmosphere as before. It will also have the same pizza ovens.

Shakespeare’s temporary location during construction is right around the corner at 220 South Eighth Street.

Officials say they expect to start construction on the brick, glass and stone development within days. The building is expected to be completed byAugust 2016.