After two fires, years of deterioration and three years of getting government approvals, the Babcock Building in the BullStreet District is being renovated and construction work has begun.
The most visible and recognized part of the building, the cupola that was destroyed by fire, will be replicated.
The last major hurdle was overcome last week when Clachan Properties of Richmond, Virginia, the owner of the building, closed on the tax credit equity and the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s long-term, low interest loan that was required to help finance the renovation of Babcock, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The tax credit equity partners are PNC Bank Tax Credit Solutions and Foss & Company. The U.S. Housing and Urban Development loan was facilitated by Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC.
Clachan, a company that specializes in historic renovations, will turn the rambling 254,000 sq. ft. structure into 208 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The complex will include a pool, dog park, grilling garden, lounging and exercise facilities. The architect for the project is Walter Parks Architects of Richmond, VA, and the Contractor is Rehab Builders, Inc. of Winston-Salem, NC. Both the architect and contractor specialize in historic renovations.
The first of five phases is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy in early 2022. The entire project will be completed in about three years. Total project costs are expected to be $55 million, of which $39 million will be funded by the HUD Loan. The balance will be funded by tax credits and developer equity.
“Closing on our HUD loan is a watershed moment for Babcock and Columbia,” said Hugh Shytle, President of Clachan Properties. “It is the culmination of three years of working with local, state and federal agencies, who were meticulous in ensuring that this grand building beloved by so many people could be brought back to life in a way that preserves its unique character. As the developer, we are fortunate to have great architects, engineers and contractors who worked long and hard for this day, and we had tremendous support from the city and county.”
Babcock was designed in 1858 and completed in 1885 as the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum. Its patients left around 1991. Minor repairs and repainting of the cupola took place in 1994, but the building was abandoned for good in 1996. Since then, it has suffered the ravages of weather and time.
Besides natural deterioration, two fires of still-undetermined origin threatened the project. A 2018 fire in one of the wings did relatively minor damage, but a major fire in September swept through the historic center section, destroying the iconic cupola and much of the interior and jeopardized the project.
“After determining that no one was hurt in the fire, our biggest concern was the eligibility of the project for federal historic tax credits, which are a major source of capital for the project, as well as the added costs and scope of work that were unanticipated” said Shytle. “But we worked our way through the process with the National Park Service, State Historic Preservation Office and HUD and everyone concluded that, thanks to the Fire Department’s heroic work, the essential historical elements of the building were left intact and the project could be salvaged.”
“We have made the renovation of Babcock a top priority for BullStreet, as its significance to the overall success of the District cannot be overstated,” said Robert Hughes, president of Hughes Development, the master developer of The BullStreet District. “The three years getting to this point have been arduous and exhausting. There were times when renovation did not seem possible, but Clachan Properties persisted. Their dedication to this project has been incredible. The City of Columbia, Mayor Benjamin and Richland County have been wonderful partners as well. We could not have gotten this far without their support and encouragement and can’t wait to see the building brought back to life.”
“This announcement is a tremendous Christmas gift to all of the Midlands. Babcock has an important place in our past and, more importantly, our future,” said Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin. “The ability to get the HUD loan was essential because of the complexities involved in renovating such a massive, deteriorating building to the highest standards. We put our trust in Hughes Development and Clachan Properties and they delivered.”
