Downtown Columbia is the central business, government, and social core of
Columbia, Missouri and the
Columbia Metropolitan Area. Three colleges — the
University of Missouri,
Stephens College, and
Columbia College — all border the area. Downtown Columbia is an area of approximately one square mile surrounded by the University of Missouri on the south, Stephens College to the east and Columbia College on the north. The area serves as Columbia's financial and business district and is the topic of a large initiative to draw tourism, which includes plans to capitalize on the area's historic architecture, and Bohemian characteristics. The downtown skyline is relatively low and is dominated by the 10-story
Tiger Hotel, and the 15-story Paquin Tower.