Charleston, one of the oldest cities in America and South Carolina's first successful settlement, has also become the most popular tourist destination in the country, year after year. It's been said to be reminiscent of Europe, with its old cobblestone streets, the iconic rainbow row, and its French Quarter area. For all of those who adore visiting Charleston, we're here to tell you about a European village in South Carolina located in a different part of the state you can now enjoy as well!

BridgeWay Station is a new town center development that feels like a village in Europe, yet located in Mauldin, a city in the beautiful upstate area of South Carolina. It's currently in the final stretch of Phase 1 construction.

This bridge is a pedestrian crossing that will allow people safe passage over Interstate 385 between the Swamp Rabbit Trail and BridgeWay Station.

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 22-mile multi-use trail running from Greenville Technical College through the city of Greenville, Falls Park, the Furman University campus, and ending near Travelers Rest.

The trail has been voted by Blue Ridge Country magazine readers as the Number 3 biking trail in the 2023 Best of the Mountains reader poll.

Now, those enjoying this trail will have a perfect place to stop off for a break, to grab a bite to eat, and more along their adventure on the Swamp Rabbit trail.

The architectural details in the structures of this South Carolina European-like development are largely influenced by inspiration during travel to Europe by the developer, Phil Hughes, and his family. His desire was to bring the beauty experienced there back home for people to enjoy here.

The view from the ground looking up into a tower is magnificent!

The plaza tower is made completely of stone and Italian terracotta roof tiles. It's modeled after the iconic belltower at Furman University, originally built in 1854 on the former University campus overlooking the Reedy River.

Now this tower is not intended only for aesthetic enjoyment. Diners of The Plank will be able to walk from the wine and cheese restaurant’s second story balcony to a private dining area within the tower.

The BridgeWay Station obelisk was handmade locally, created to represent the Egyptian obelisk in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, which was a space people traditionally gathered at for religious functions.

This obelisk will be lit up at night in fun color shows. There will be a big screen TV in the plaza as well as a public open-air “train station.” Once finished, some smaller-scale events for residents and the community will lead up to the Grand Opening, a celebration which will be held in this Vatican-inspired Plaza during the summer of 2023!

You'll feel as though you've transported across the ocean into Europe, but without actually traveling there.

Apartment spaces in this European village have been completed and are now being rented. So if this type of community is your dream, now would be the time to check it out and make arrangements!

Old Europe is just one of the commercial tenants that have committed to open up shop at this neat European village.

Have an Eclair ... a dessert whose name means lightning in French. Very interesting – a dessert named out of the fact that it's so delicious that it's eaten "in a flash."Some of the other tenants you'll soon find at BridgeWay Station include Cohesive Coffee, Belladina's, Poogan's Southern Kitchen, The Junkyard, Cinergy Entertainment, Plum, Yogi's Cups and Cones, Cocobowlz, Stella's, and Table 301.

Pack up some road trip snacks and head on over to Mauldin to check this place out! If you're looking for a great place to live that feels like Europe, this European village in South Carolina is it.

Would you like living in a development like this or do you prefer more of a rural setting?