Historic Gervais Street buildings to undergo major restoration in 2026

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) -Four historic properties in Columbia’s Vista district will soon get a new lease on life.

Developers plan to begin a major restoration project early next year on Gervais Street, transforming the early 20th-century buildings into a mix of loft apartments, office space, restaurants and retail shops.

The buildings, which once housed Whit-Ash Furnishings, have sat vacant. The redevelopment project, called Seaboard Vista, pays tribute to the Seaboard Air Line Railroad that once ran through the area. Plans include adding a red caboose to the courtyard for events — modeled after those that traveled through Columbia in the early 1900s.

“We’re going to have authentic high-end loft apartments, creative office space, classy office space, restaurants, retail boutique shops, fit