COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – South Carolina real estate development and investment company, Avant Holdings, is set to acquire the former Whit-Ash Furnishing properties.
The historic property consists of three buildings totaling 47,590 square feet in the Vista district, spanning from Gervais Street to Lady Street and situated between Lincoln and Park streets.
An aerial look at the various businesses surrounding the former Whit-Ash Furnishings property.(Studio 2RL)
Avant Holdings will be partnering with Studio 2LR (Architecture + Interiors) and Mashburn Construction, who are leading design and construction efforts, respectively.
The company already owns multiple properties in the Vista District, including the Dupre Building at 807 Gervais St., the former National Biscuit Company Warehouse at 915 Lady St. and the Victory Savings Bank at 919 Washington St.
Managing partner of Avant Holdings, Todd Avant, said the company is excited to “breathe new life” into the site.
“Our vision is to deliver a full historic restoration paired with a thoughtfully curated mixed-use development that includes experiential retail, destination dining, Class A creative office space and potentially luxury loft residences,” Avant said in a statement.
Property History
The properties were first built in the early 1900s and served several uses for the City of Columbia before becoming part of Whit-Ash furnishings.
All three buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
911 Gervais St.
The 5,002 square foot property was known as “The Dispensary” and served as a county liquor dispensary in 1900 before becoming part of the Seaboard Hotel in 1931.
The building still retains its original hardwood floors and decorative fireplace mantles, among other historical details.
919 Gervais St.
Designed by local firm Shand & Lafaye and built in 1906 for The Murray Drug Company, the 32,159 square foot building is a key part of the West Gervais Historic District.
The property has an open layout with 13-to-14-foot ceilings and original hardwood flooring on the first level.
The second level includes painted brick walls and a historic skylight. The property also includes a basement level.
A historic look at one of the former Whit-Ash Furnishing buildings in the Vista.(Studio 2RL)
914 Lady St.
This property is another key part of the West Gervais Historic District and was formerly a warehouse for the National Biscuit Company, also known as Nabisco.
It is a single-story, 10,430 square foot structure with three historic skylights and original hardwood floors.
Future Plans
Studio 2LR has developed early exterior renderings to serve as a conceptual look for the future of the three buildings.
The designs are subject to change based on meetings with various stakeholders including the City of Columbia, the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service.
An aerial rendering of proposed changes for the three Whit-Ash Furnishings buildings.(Studio 2RL)
911 Gervais St.
Current plans have the building including a restaurant or retail business on the first floor, with the second floor being used as a private dining space, a loft apartment, or office space.
Avant Holdings, with Studio 2LR and Marshburn Construction plans to replace windows and reintroduce the second-story balcony and cornice.
A proposed rendering of the 911 Gervais St. property, formerly part of Whit-Ash Furnishings.(Studio 2RL)
919 Gervais St.
The proposed plans are currently calling for a retail space on the first floor and either Class A creative office space or loft-style apartments for the second floor.
The plans also include efforts to return the building to its original 1925 appearance and will feature covered outdoor seating and a historic-inspired mural.
A proposed rendering of the 919 Gervais St. property, formerly part of Whit-Ash Furnishings.(Studio 2RL)
914 Lady St.
This space is presently under evaluation for market-driven Class A office space, loft-style residential apartment, or retail uses.
A rendering of proposed changes to the former Whit-Ash furniture building located at 914 Lady St.(Studio 2RL)
Next Steps
Avant Holdings is expected to close on the property later in the summer. The company is currently in the process of applying for state and federal historic tax credits as well as applications for the Bailey Bill and Design/Development Review Commission in Columbia.
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