Work has begun on a boutique hotel in The Vista district in Columbia that reimagines a former fire station.
Florence-based hospitality organization Raines has broken ground on The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista in Columbia. Developed and managed by Raines, this will be the second Shepherd Hotel in South Carolina, with the first being in the Upstate. With design and architecture by Garvin Design Group and built by Mashburn Construction, the Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2025.
The first Shepherd Hotel opened in downtown Clemson in September 2022. The brand was co-founded by Rick Hayduk, a seasoned hotel visionary; Rich Davies, a third-generation real estate developer; and Dabo Swinney, Clemson University head football coach, according to the release. Inspired by his two children with Down Syndrome, Hayduk had long been interested in opening a hotel that employed individuals with disabilities. The Shepherd Hotel Downtown Clemson opened in collaboration with ClemsonLIFE, a Clemson University program that empowers students with intellectual disabilities to follow their career goals and experience life on a college campus.
The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista will partner with the University of South Carolina’s CarolinaLIFE program to offer similar opportunities through the University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism.
“The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista celebrates our passion for the hospitality industry and our commitment to our communities,” said David Tart, managing partner, Raines, in the release. “We are excited to provide valuable skills and career opportunities for students and young adults with intellectual disabilities, particularly in college towns.”
The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista will transform the historic Columbia Central Fire Station into a 59-key boutique hotel, according to the release. The address, 1001 Senate St., is in the heart of The Vista, a historic development project in proximity to the University of South Carolina, the South Carolina Statehouse, Colonial Life Arena, and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
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This adaptive reuse project will honor the history of the Columbia Central Fire Station, one of the city’s oldest fire stations, while incorporating modern amenities like a fitness center, board room, lounge, and valet parking, the release stated. Kevin Johnson, James Beard nominee and University of South Carolina alumni, will lead the hotel’s food and beverage program. The on-site restaurant will serve both locals and hotel guests offering small plates, craft cocktails, and a robust beer and wine selection.
“We’re proud to be a part of this project, which blends our passion for historic preservation and our commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality spaces,” said Lee Mashburn, president, Mashburn Construction. “Working with the Raines team is an exciting opportunity. We are honored to contribute to the revitalization of this iconic building. We are also thrilled to be constructing the second Shepherd Hotel in South Carolina, just blocks from Mashburn’s corporate headquarters.”
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