Market Guide · Chester
Commercial Real Estate in Chester, SC
A historic county seat between two metros, with growth heading south on I-77 and landmark downtown buildings returning to use.
At a Glance
32,777
Chester County residents, 2025
$2.52B
New capital investment since 2020
~1 hr
To Charlotte and to Columbia
3
Freight railroads
$12.23
Market rent per SF, 10-year high
93%
Occupied
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024–2025 (via FRED and USAFacts); Chester County Economic Development; SC Department of Commerce; CoStar Q4 2026.
Growth
Growth Is Heading South on I-77
Fort Mill first, then Rock Hill, now Chester County. After two flat decades, the county added 454 residents in 2025, and more than 1,100 new homes are planned near Chester and Richburg.
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Axis begins at 31,500 to show year-to-year change. U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025.
Economy & Industry
Major Investment on the I-77 Corridor
| Company | Location | Investment | Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| IKO | Chester | $363M | Fiberglass and glass-mat plants, opened March 2026 |
| Giti Tire | Richburg | $560M | Tire plant, 1,700 jobs announced |
| E.&J. Gallo | Fort Lawn | $423M | East Coast production and distribution hub |
| Luck Companies | North of SC 9 | $93M | Quarry plus a 75-acre business park |
| Guardian Glass | Richburg | $45M | Float-glass plant expansion |
| Scout Motors | Blythewood (~1 hr) | $2.3B+ | Vehicle plant, about 5,000 jobs, production in 2027 |
Sources: SC Department of Commerce; Chester County Economic Development; company announcements; WSOC-TV; The Herald; WRHI.
Commercial Market
Values Are Climbing
$12.23
Market rent per SF, a 10-year high (+57%)
$80
Sale price per SF, up from $55
93%
Occupied, with only 9 buildings for sale
$250M
Yearly spending that leaves the trade area
Sources: CoStar Q4 2026, all property types inside the J.A. Cochran Bypass; Retail Strategies, Chester County Retail Recruitment Plan.
Location
A County Seat Between Two Metros
Chester is a hilltop town where U.S. 321 and four state highways meet. I-77 crosses the county about 12 miles east of downtown, three freight railroads run through it, and a Main Street of 19th-century brick blocks is ready for its next chapter.
- About an hour to Uptown Charlotte and to Columbia
- I-77 about 12 miles east of downtown
- Three freight railroads, two of them Class I
- Near Great Falls whitewater and Chester State Park
Kuester Here
Kuester in Chester
140 Gadsden
The 1924 Schlosburg Building, becoming 11 boutique apartments with ground-floor retail.
An Early Commitment
In 2023 Kuester committed $3.4 million to two landmark downtown buildings, 140 Gadsden and 113 Main Street.
Questions
Chester Commercial Real Estate FAQ
Why invest in Chester, SC?
Chester County has drawn $2.52 billion in new capital investment since 2020, rents are at a 10-year high, and historic downtown buildings may be eligible for tax incentives.
How far is Chester from Charlotte?
About an hour by car. I-77 crosses Chester County about 12 miles east of downtown.
What is Kuester doing in Chester?
Kuester is restoring 140 Gadsden, the 1924 Schlosburg Building, into 11 apartments over retail, and owns 113 Main Street downtown.
