A building with a global purpose

World Trade Showcase in the South Carolina World Trade Center building

The need to adapt to the number of off-shore companies using the Port of Charleston as a point of entry has been the drive behind increasing the size and scope of South Carolina’s first World Trade Center building, more than tripling the original size.

“Charleston is a major port and is known globally as a world-class facility,” said Fred Frankel, president of Trade Center Development Corp., a Florida-based company that develops selected World Trade Center buildings, and other global trade-related facilities. “We need a building with the same world-class look and feel.”

The building, which Frankel said is projected to be 14 stories and 280,000 square feet, will house the South Carolina World Trade Center offices, a World Trade Center Club, executive office space for consular offices and other VIPs, Class “A” offices for shipping and trade companies, state-of-the-art communications and conference rooms, and the first U.S. East Coast World Trade Showcase Center for display of import and export products – the World Trade Showcase at the SCWTC will be a marketing and sales operation for global tenants seeking growth in the US market, Frankel said.

The SCWTC came to his company’s attention primarily because of the port activity in Charleston and the quality of its World Trade Center. 

“The fact that Charleston has such an active port facility and has been aggressively courting international companies is a key factor in creating interest on our part for doing a project of this scope,” Frankel said. “One of our people got in touch with (SCWTC executive director) Mark Condon about the project. We have a great deal of confidence in him. He runs a very good World Trade Center.”

Overall, South Carolina appears to be a high-growth area and is becoming an increasingly attractive place for doing business, especially for those based offshore, Frankel said.

“I think South Carolina has every necessary ingredient to continue its business growth,” he said. “I see a very positive attitude from the government in that they’re pro-growth.”

The decision to increase the building’s size was a strategic move in positioning South Carolina in the global marketplace, Frankel said.

“The original building design did not have space for certain facilities that we see as material for a Class ‘A’ World Trade Center,” he said.

The largest World Trade Center buildings are in Taiwan, with 6 million square feet, and Korea, with 2 million square feet.

“One of the reasons for SCWTC going larger is that we looked at the success of Taiwan and Korea,” he said. “They’ve learned to adapt well to a changing market.”

Frankel anticipates major tenants in the SCWTC building being Asian companies.

“When a significant building such as this one is in development, we’ll set up an LLC for that building,” he said. “Our company will be a shareholder in the LLC, and there will also be opportunities for investors, both local and offshore, that wish to be a participant.”

Trade Center Development Corp. has retained the services of architect Ken Betsch with Betsch Associates in Greenville. The building is expected to be constructed near the Charleston Area Convention Center and the Performing Arts Center, located in the heart of North Charleston close to the Charleston International Airport.

“We still have not finalized the site selection, but we’re looking to (North Charleston) Mayor (Keith) Summey to work closely with us so the final site will be consistent with his recommendations.”
Summey is “very supportive of the World Trade Center concept and the state’s efforts in becoming a magnet for offshore companies,” Frankel added.

The SCWTC’s goal is to have a building that personifies the vision of competing in a global market, Condon said.

“With the support of the North Charleston City Council and the mayor, we will design and construct a signature 21st-century building," he said.

South Carolina has had a World Trade Center office in Charleston since 1989. This trade center www.scwtc.org is part of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) www.wtca.org, made up of 289 World Trade Centers in about 90 countries with access to a network of well over 750,000 companies. The SCWTC is a non-profit, non-governmental, membership based organization whose mission is to build South Carolina’s trading community.

For more information about the South Carolina World Trade Center Building or if you are interested in leasing or purchasing space in the complex contact Mark Condon at markc@scwtc.org or 843/670-4243.