Brennen Building

Columbia, South Carolina

Built in 1871 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this project restored one of the City’s best examples of an intact French-Victorian structure. Working with local, state and federal historical groups, the design team capitalized on the amount of original intact architecture to help guide the restoration and renovation of this Main Street icon. On the exterior, original cast iron columns and balcony details were restored, existing historic lime stucco was sounded and repaired, and existing historic windows were restored. Inside original fireplaces and mantles as well as doors with original hardware compliment modern day offices.

This unique building had previously been used as a grocery store, saloon, boarding house, and restaurants. While most of the original first floor had been altered beyond repair, the second floor was mainly intact – one of few remaining examples in the City.

The client’s vision for the property included relocating their wealth division to the upper level and having two restaurant tenants at street level. The designers worked closely with local and state historical staff as Federal and State historic preservation certification and tax incentives are being pursued. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation were used as a guide for the project. Interior and exterior historic color palettes were researched and determined with the input of the City, State Historic Preservation Officer and the local historical society.

PROJECT DATE

2013

AWARDS

2014 Historic Preservation Honor Award | Palmetto Trust
2014 Historic Preservation Honor Award | AIA South Carolina
2014 Citation Award | AIA Columbia
2014 Preservation Award | Historic Columbia
2013 Columbia Choice Award | Columbia Green

PHOTOGRAPHY

GMatson Photo

DRAWINGS

SIMILAR PROJECTS