Allen University is located in Columbia, the capital city of South Carolina. Columbia is the home of several colleges and numerous institutions including the Museum of Arts and Sciences, the Planetarium, the Riverbanks Zoological Gardens, the State Historical Society, and the State Capitol.

The Allen University Historic District has been officially entered on the National Registry of Historic Places by the United States Department of Interior. The Allen University buildings recognized as historic places in South Carolina are:

1. Arnett Hall Administration Building
2. Coppin Hall
3. Chappelle
4. J.S. Flipper Learning Resources Center

Allen University Campus is comprised of the following buildings:

Arnett Hall Administration Building
Arnett Hall, the oldest building on the campus, was constructed in 1881. This building is listed on the National Historic Registry and was completely renovated in 2001.

Chappelle Administration Building
The Chappelle Administration Building, completed in 1925, was designed by John Anderson Langford (1874-1946), who has been heralded as the 'Dean of Black Architects'. During the period when the Chappelle Administration Building was constructed, Langford served as the official architect of the AME Church. The durability and adaptability of the building to changing uses over the years, gives testimony to the validity of Langford's conviction that physical structure should be both beautiful and functional. Located at the corner of Harden and Taylor Streets, Chappelle Administration Building houses administrative offices as well as student classrooms. This structure is registered as a national landmark.

Chappelle Auditorium
In the early 1900's, blacks could not freely assemble in public facilities. Chappelle Auditorium's seating capacity of 700 significantly impacted the lives and experiences of blacks in South Carolina. Since its erection, Chappelle Auditorium has been home to countless organizations and community events. In 1954, the auditorium was the official meeting site for preparation of the Brown vs. the Board of Education trial. Nationally known musicians and artists, including Leontyne Price, Brooks Benton and Langston Hughes have performed in the auditorium. Other notable appearances include: Mary McCloud Bethune, Reverend Martin Luther King, Muhammad Ali, Reverend Jesse Jackson, George Elmore, John H. McCray and Senator Strom Thurmond.

Chappelle Auditorium is one of many buildings included in the Allen University Historic District, which is bounded by Taylor, Harden, Hampton and Pine Streets. Designed by John Anderson Lankford, the auditorium was named in honor of Bishop William D. Chappelle, an Allen University President. The historic structure is one of only twelve historic landmarks in South Carolina. On April 14, 1975, Chappelle Auditorium was recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior and placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.

Levi J. Coppin Hall
Erected in 1906, Coppin Hall is located at the corner of Harden and Hampton Streets. This four-story residence hall houses female students.

Joseph Simeon Flipper Library
Erected in 1941, the J.S. Flipper Learning Resource Center is located near the center of the campus. This facility currently serves as the campus library, which provides access to books from any academic institution in South Carolina. Users have access to books, government documents, serials, microfilms, instructional media equipment, interlibrary loans, Internet capabilities, as well as other state of the art technology.

Carey Abraham Gibbs Hall
Internal renovations for Gibbs Hall were completed in 2007. The renovations included upgrading the biology/chemistry labs, computer lab and lecture halls. In addition, storage spaces located in the basement were transformed into classrooms and offices. Gibbs Hall is a three-story multi-purpose facility providing classrooms and office space for the math and natural science division and other faculty and staff.