Mixed-use redevelopment named “Seaboard Vista” to honor historic legacy of Congaree Vista

Partners of the notable historic adaptive reuse project in Columbia, South Carolina’s Congaree Vista announce the project to be named “Seaboard Vista.” The name honors the legacy of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, whose presence helped shape the area’s growth and identity. The project encompasses four National Historic Register properties along Gervais and Lady streets — each representing the craftsmanship, commerce and architectural heritage of early 20th-century Columbia. Together, the buildings total approximately 47,590 square feet across 1.29 acres, with convenient on-site parking.

Dan and Todd Avant, along with Paul and Lee Mashburn, known for their award-winning work across South Carolina, are partnering to transform the four historic properties into a vibrant mixed-use destination featuring residential, retail, restaurants and creative office space. The project design is being led by Studio 2LR and construction by Mashburn Construction.

“Our research highlighted the remarkable influence of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad on both our properties and the broader Congaree Vista district,” said Todd Avant, project partner and managing partner of Avant Holdings LLC. “Embracing ‘Seaboard’ as the core of our project’s branding quickly became the obvious choice, reinforcing our vision and inspiring the acquisition of an authentic vintage train caboose.”

Seaboard Vista pays tribute to the profound role that the Seaboard Air Line Railroad played in shaping Columbia’s Congaree Vista and the broader development in the Southeast. Inspired by the era when rail travelers gathered along Gervais Street to shop, dine and find lodging just steps away, Seaboard Vista reimagines that historic energy for a new generation. The redevelopment will transform the block into a refined, walkable district that blends dining, culture, creativity and residential life — honoring its heritage while elevating it through thoughtful, modern design.

“Projects like Seaboard Vista are where our expertise truly shines,” said Lee Mashburn, project partner and president of Mashburn Construction. “Preparing these important structures for the next century of use, while preserving what makes them special, is work that excites us. It speaks to our commitment to delivering exceptional work and contributing to Columbia’s continued growth.”

Seaboard Vista is prime for future retail, restaurants, residential and office use, and will feature:

• 919 Gervais, the 1906 Murray Drug Co. building will be fully restored to its 1925 façade, complete with a historically inspired mural, offering ground-floor retail and dining, creative offices above, and flexible conditioned basement space, with the historic alleyway reopened to restore pedestrian circulation and sight lines. Plans further include refurbishing the original windows, heart pine floors, exposed brick and plaster, round wood columns and the signature skylight.
• 911 Gervais, known as “The Dispensary,” constructed in 1900, as a county liquor dispensary later became part of the Seaboard Hotel (1931), housing the Seaboard Café’. It retains original architectural details, including exposed brick and plaster walls, heart pine floors, high ceilings with beadboard and fireplaces. Restoration plans include reopening bricked-in window openings, reinstating the full-width wrought-iron balcony and cornice, and creating a dedicated upper-level entrance—all historically accurate features from the original façade.
• 914 Lady, the 1918 National Biscuit Co. Warehouse, will be revived with its maple floors, skylights, and 15-ft ceilings intact, housing luxury loft apartments, The Lofts at Seaboard, and ±2,500 square feet of street-level retail.
• The Caboose at Seaboard Yard, a restored vintage bay-window caboose, will be a defining feature of Seaboard Vista — serving as both a cultural centerpiece and a flexible event space that honors its railroad roots. Once part of the active Seaboard Air Line Railroad yard, the corridor between the buildings will be reimagined as a lively courtyard anchored by the caboose, hosting monthly pop-ups, private events, or permanent retail and food-and-beverage concepts.

“We’re excited to share that we’ve made meaningful progress over the past several months,” said Avant. “We secured preliminary Bailey Bill approval, received endorsement from the City Design/Development Review Commission, and obtained the state’s VCC Certificate of Completion—key milestones completed ahead of our successful closing on all project parcels.”

Construction is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with tenant occupancy expected by late 2026. In the coming weeks, partners anticipate unveiling a major corporate headquarters relocation that will serve as the flagship office tenant for the development.

To learn more and to inquire about leasing opportunities, visit www.seaboardvista.com.

ABOUT MASHBURN CONSTRUCTION

Mashburn Construction is a full-service construction company providing construction management, design-build, preconstruction and general contracting services. For over four decades, the company has exemplified Partnering to Deliver an Exceptional Building Experience by providing superior service and quality to clients across many markets. Headquartered in Columbia, Mashburn also has offices in Charleston, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach, SC. For more information, please visit www.MashburnConstruction.com.

ABOUT AVANT HOLDINGS LLC

Avant Holdings LLC is a South Carolina-based real estate development and investment company. The firm’s focus is urban infill, historic adaptive reuse, build to suits and value-add opportunities. The principals of Avant Holdings have decades of diversified development experience, including urban mixed-use, historic preservation, medical, shopping centers, land development and office buildings. Email [email protected] for more information.