North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Mayor Daniel Rickenmann joined developers and community leaders on April 7 to mark the groundbreaking of the Seaboard Vista project, a mixed-use redevelopment set to transform a historic block in the Columbia, South Carolina’s Vista district.
The project, led by Mashburn Construction Company Inc., coincides with the firm’s 50th anniversary and includes the relocation of its headquarters to the site at Gervais and Lady streets. Plans call for a blend of restaurants, retail, office space and residential units.
Seaboard Vista takes its name from the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, whose former presence in the area helped shape the district’s growth.
The redevelopment encompasses four properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, totaling approximately 47,590 square feet across 1.29 acres.
Project partners Dan and Todd Avant, along with Paul and Lee Mashburn, are collaborating on the redevelopment, which aims to preserve the architectural character of the early 20th-century buildings while introducing modern uses. Design work is being led by Studio 2LR.
“Projects like Seaboard Vista are where our expertise truly shines,” said Lee Mashburn, president of Mashburn Construction and a project partner. “Preparing these important structures for the next century of use, while preserving what makes them special, is work that excites us.”
Key components of the project include the restoration and adaptive reuse of several historic buildings:
- 919 Gervais St., originally the Murray Drug Co. building (1906), will be restored to its 1925 façade and feature ground-floor retail and dining, creative office space above, and a flexible basement. Plans also include reopening a historic alleyway to improve pedestrian access.
- 911 Gervais St., known as “The Dispensary” and dating to 1900, will see the restoration of original architectural features, including reopening bricked-in windows and reinstating a wrought-iron balcony and cornice.
- 914 Lady St., the former National Biscuit Co. warehouse (1918), will be converted into luxury loft apartments known as The Lofts at Seaboard, along with approximately 2,500 square feet of street-level retail.
A restored vintage railcar, dubbed the Caboose at Seaboard Yard, will serve as a focal point for the development. The surrounding corridor—once part of an active rail yard—will be reimagined as a courtyard space designed for events, pop-up markets and food-and-beverage concepts.
Developers say the project has already achieved several key approvals, including preliminary Bailey Bill tax incentive approval, endorsement from the city’s Design/Development Review Commission, and a state certificate of completion.
“We’re excited to share that we’ve made meaningful progress over the past several months,” said Dan Avant. “These milestones were critical to reaching a successful closing on all project parcels.”
Once complete, Seaboard Vista is expected to create a walkable, mixed-use destination that blends historic preservation with new commercial and residential activity in one of Columbia’s most active districts.