Seaboard Vista breaks ground in Columbia’s Vista, blending historic preservation with modern mixed-use development

Mayor Daniel Rickenmann; Lee Mashburn; Paul Mashburn; Dan Avant; Harry Mashburn; Todd Avant; Tripp Riley, Studio 2LR

On Tuesday, April 7, community leaders, preservation advocates and development partners gathered in Columbia’s Congaree Vista to celebrate the official groundbreaking of Seaboard Vista — a transformative mixed-use redevelopment that blends the district’s rich railroad heritage with a forward-looking vision for growth.

The project, located along Gervais and Lady streets, will revitalize four historic properties listed on the National Register into a dynamic destination for dining, retail, residential living and creative office space. Spanning approximately 47,590 square feet across 1.29 acres, Seaboard Vista represents one of the most significant adaptive reuse projects currently underway in downtown Columbia.

919 Gervais Street is widely recognized as the longtime home of Whit-Ash Furniture. The store was known for its wide selection, personal service, and iconic multi-level showroom that drew customers from across South Carolina. Many of the attendees at the groundbreaking reflected on their personal memories of visiting Whit-Ash Furniture.

Led by development partners Dan and Todd Avant of Avant Holdings, alongside Paul and Lee Mashburn of Mashburn Construction, the project brings together a team with deep experience in both historic preservation and urban redevelopment. Architecture is being led by Studio 2LR, with Mashburn Construction serving as the general contractor — a role that carries additional significance as the company prepares to relocate its headquarters to the site during its 50th year in business.

The name “Seaboard Vista” pays tribute to the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, whose presence once defined the area as a hub of commerce and activity. In the early 20th century, the surrounding blocks were alive with rail travelers who stepped off trains to shop, dine and stay in nearby establishments. The redevelopment seeks to recapture that same energy, reimagined for a modern, walkable district.

The Mashburn family

“This is more than a redevelopment — it’s the next chapter in Columbia’s story,” said Daniel Rickenmann, Mayor of the City of Columbia. “It’s about honoring the history and character that shaped this district while creating a vibrant, lasting destination that reflects the momentum and future of our capital city.”

Each of the four buildings included in the project carries its own unique history and architectural character. At 919 Gervais Street, the former Murray Drug Company building, originally constructed in 1906, will be restored to its 1925 façade. Plans include ground-floor retail and dining, creative office space above, and the reopening of a historic alleyway to enhance pedestrian flow. Original features such as heart pine floors, exposed brick, wood columns and a signature skylight will be preserved and highlighted.

Next door at 911 Gervais Street, known historically as “The Dispensary,” the building dates back to 1900 and later became part of the Seaboard Hotel complex. Restoration efforts will focus on reopening original window openings, reinstating a full-width wrought-iron balcony and preserving key interior elements including fireplaces, high ceilings and exposed brick walls.

At 914 Lady Street, the former National Biscuit Company warehouse, built in 1918, will be transformed into The Lofts at Seaboard — a collection of luxury residential units complemented by approximately 2,500 square feet of street-level retail. The building’s maple floors, skylights and soaring 15-foot ceilings will remain central to its design.

One of the most distinctive features of the development will be the Seaboard Yard, anchored by a restored vintage bay-window caboose. Once part of the active rail yard that served the area, the caboose will be repurposed as a cultural focal point and flexible event space. The surrounding corridor between the buildings will be reimagined as a lively courtyard designed to host pop-up markets, private events and food-and-beverage concepts.

For the development team, the project represents both an investment in Columbia’s future and a commitment to preserving its past. Todd Avant noted that the concept for Seaboard Vista was shaped by extensive research into the area’s railroad history, as well as a desire to create a destination that reflects the evolving energy of downtown Columbia.

That energy was a recurring theme throughout the groundbreaking ceremony. Speakers pointed to increasing residential growth, rising investment and a renewed sense of vibrancy in the city’s core as key drivers behind projects like Seaboard Vista.

Lee Mashburn emphasized the importance of adaptive reuse in sustaining that momentum, noting that restoring historic structures for modern use not only preserves architectural character but also contributes to long-term economic vitality. For Mashburn Construction, the decision to relocate its headquarters to the development underscores a broader commitment to investing in the city from within.

John Sherrer, Director of Preservation at Historic Columbia also highlighted the significance of the project. As Columbia continues to evolve, projects like Seaboard Vista demonstrate how thoughtful redevelopment can bridge past and future — ensuring that the stories embedded in historic buildings remain part of the city’s ongoing narrative.

Construction is expected to continue through 2026, with tenant occupancy anticipated by late in the year. Plans for the site include a mix of high-end restaurants, boutique retail, office tenants and residential units, creating a layered, active environment throughout the day and evening.

As Columbia’s Congaree Vista continues to grow as a cultural and economic hub, Seaboard Vista stands as a symbol of that progress — a place where history is not only preserved, but reactivated to serve a new generation.