Smoked team wins SC Historic Preservation Honor Award
July 14, 2022
The team behind new Columbia restaurant Smoked received an Honor Award at the 27th annual South Carolina Historic Preservation Awards on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Governor McMaster presented the team with certificates in a ceremony at the South Carolina State House. Originally constructed in the mid-19th century, Smoked occupies the ground floor and basement of the buildings at 1639-1643 and 1645 Main Street. The project team includes the Middleton family, Garvin Design Group, Rogers Lewis, and Mashburn Construction.
Presented annually, the South Carolina Historic Preservation Awards are sponsored by Preservation South Carolina, the SC Department of Archives and History, and the Office of the Governor. Awards are presented in multiple categories. The Smoked team received the Honor Award in recognition of the project’s exceptional accomplishment in rehabilitating a facet of South Carolina’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Images courtesy of Brian Dressler
“My brother, Greg Middleton, and I both have a passion for preservation: of nature, the environment, and of course, beautiful, historic buildings,” said Sara Middleton, the buildings’ co-owner and developer. “Amidst the dust, debris, run down walls, eroded floors, and countless leaks, we were able to see the buildings’ historic beauty and charm. The buildings are now home to the lively and colorful fine dining restaurant, SMOKED, and Peak Drift Brewing Co.’s first microbrewery. The second stories have been transformed into high-end, luxury, downtown apartments with windows that open up to Main Street, letting the building breathe in the fresh air and come alive once again.”
The Middleton family enlisted local firms Garvin Design Group, Rogers Lewis, and Mashburn Construction to help achieve their vision for the buildings. Leveraging federal, state, and local historic tax credits, the project team carefully restored the buildings’ cast iron columns, brick facades, distinctive storefronts, and window openings. Ground level spaces retain their beadboard, pressed tin, and plaster ceilings. Pressed tin ceilings in the dining areas were painted dark to minimize the visual impact of new mechanical and plumbing systems and enhance the sense of height. The oyster bar, dining room, and vestibules retain historic hard wood floors. New mosaic ceramic tile ornaments the foot of the oyster bar and in the recessed entryways. A prefabricated aluminum pergola on the rear patio mimics the gable roof of the adjacent rear addition. Operable roof fins enable selective closed cover for outdoor lounge seating.
“This award is quite an honor given the challenge of renovating three distinct historic buildings into a cohesive mixed-use development,” said Scott Garvin, President of Garvin Design Group. “Partnering with Rogers Lewis, Mashburn Construction, and the Middletons made it successful.”
About Garvin Design Group
Celebrating its 19th anniversary this year, Garvin Design Group (GDG) offers comprehensive planning and design services for a variety of project types and sizes. From master planning and programming to interior up-fits and new construction, GDG strives to provide client-driven design solutions throughout South Carolina. The firm of 21 people has completed more than $1 billion worth of projects since its founding in 2003. GDG’s contributions to the community and the profession earned it the American Institute of Architects – South Carolina’s (AIA SC) 2019 Firm Award, the Columbia Chamber’s 2020 Small Business of the Year Award, and recognition as a 2021 Top 3 Best in Business Award from SC Business Monthly. For more information, visit www.garvindesigngroup.com.
About Rogers Lewis
The law firm of Rogers Lewis provides clients with full-service business and tax credit consultation. The firm assists clients with identifying which tax incentives are applicable to each project, National Register listings, ensuring that ongoing projects adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, and syndicating tax credits to assist with funding projects. The firm has guided numerous projects throughout South Carolina, many of which have garnered local and statewide honors. For more information, please visit rogerslewis.com.
About Mashburn Construction Company
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 Building with Integrity 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.
