COLUMBIA, S.C. – A historic firehouse in Columbia, S.C. is set to be converted into a 60-room boutique hotel.
As reported by WLTX.com, the city’s Design and Development Commission has approved plans for the new hotel property in the Vista neighborhood.
According to the article, the firehouse was constructed between 1949 and 1951. It served as the headquarters of the Columbia Fire Department until 1995 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
Once built, the hotel will include a restaurant bar that will also serve as an event space.
The building is protected under the Bailey Bill, which sets a specific number of rules for restoring historic buildings.
Abby Anderson, executive director of the Congaree Vista Guild, a non-profit, membership-based organization that focuses on maintaining the vibrancy of the Vista neighborhood, told WLTX she believes the team behind the hotel proposal will do a good job of keeping the character of the building.
Several local residents voiced their support for the project, noting it is good to see historic buildings being repurposed and that it is exciting to see a boutique hotel in the area.
