Work begins on historic Ensor Building renovation in BullStreet neighborhood
February 2, 2017
Work has begun on renovations of the historic Ensor Building at BullStreet, located between Spirit Communications Park and the First Base Building in the 181-acre BullStreet neighborhood in downtown Columbia, S.C., with restaurant/hospitality space on the first floor, including a large outdoor patio overlooking the ballpark entrance plaza, as well as office space on the upper floor.
Master developer Hughes Development Corporation is working with architects Studio 2LR and Buchanan Construction Services to upfit the building, preserving historic elements while adding modern features.
In her history of the Ensor Building, written as part of USC’s “Digitizing Bull Street” initiative, Lara Hammond notes, “The Ensor Building was completed in 1939 and served as a research laboratory for the Ensor Research Foundation. The building was named after Joshua Fulton Ensor, who was the second superintendent of the campus from 1870 to 1877. The intentions of the Ensor Research Foundation, founded in 1945, from the beginning were to make improvements in mental health patients and health in general.”
“The Ensor Building has its roots in innovation and research, and we are excited to be reviving this emblematic structure in keeping with the innovation theme here at BullStreet,” said Robert Hughes, president of Hughes Development Corporation and project manager at BullStreet. “The first floor, with its sizable interior and huge outdoor patio, is a phenomenal opportunity for guests to have a unique dining experience right on the Spirit Communications Park plaza, at the center of BullStreet.”
The two-story brick building was built in the neoclassical style, with Doric plinths and capitals and a rounded arch over the front door. Approximately 3800 square feet will be available for office space on the second floor, while the first floor will offer approximately 3800 square feet of restaurant space with an expansive outdoor patio adjacent to the baseball stadium’s entrance plaza.
“As is consistent with our development strategy, our tenants make their own announcements,” notes Hughes. “When restaurant and office tenants are ready to announce, they will do so on a schedule that is optimal for them.”
“Studio 2LR is pleased to be working with Hughes Development Corporation and Buchanan Construction Services on the Ensor Building on the BullStreet campus,” says Wes Lyles AIA, LEED AP, President of Studio 2LR. “It is always exciting to renovate a building with such an interesting history and bring new, vibrant businesses into a structure that has been vacant for so long.”
“I can’t say enough about how much we enjoyed working with Hughes Development Corporation on the Bakery Building, and we are excited to get started with renovations at the Ensor Building,” notes Davis Buchanan, head of Buchanan Construction Services. “What a grand old lady Ensor is – and when finished, she’ll be a beautiful destination. It’s thrilling to be a part of what is happening in the BullStreet Development.”
The Ensor Building at BullStreet is located at 2180 Boyce St., Columbia, S.C. 29201, immediately adjacent to Spirit Communications Park in the BullStreet district in downtown Columbia, S.C. The Ensor Building is on the right between the First Base Building and the entry plaza to Spirit Communications Park.
About the BullStreet District
Located within blocks of Columbia, S.C.’s vibrant downtown neighborhoods, the BullStreet district is a 181-acre, mixed-use redevelopment of the former South Carolina State Hospital campus, set for completion on a 20-year timeline with an anticipated $1.2 billion annual economic impact. Master developer Hughes Development Corporation of Greenville, S.C., is using a new urbanist, form-based code, working closely with other developers who possess deep domain expertise to create a city-within-a-city, filled with spaces that maintain the integrity of the historic district; mix commercial and residential uses; create a walkable and bicycle-friendly place; provide parks and open space; maximize economic impact and increase the City’s tax base; and connect to the Midlands community. S.C.’s first urban gigabit community, BullStreet is home to Spirit Communications Park (awarded 2016 Ballpark of the Year by BallPark Digest), the First Base Building office/retail complex, the Ensor Building at Bullstreet, the Parker Annex office building and the new Bakery at BullStreet building in the growing BullStreet Technology Village. BullStreet contains 125,000+ square feet of commercial/office and retail space and is zoned for up to 3.3 million square feet of commercial use and 3,553 residential units. For more information, visit http://www.bullstreetsc.com.
