Kirkland Apartments and the Black House

The journey to preserve the Kirkland Apartments and the Black House started in the summer of 2002. The surrounding University Neighborhood residents noticed surveying flags around the properties and became concerned. The two buildings lay on the outskirts of their locally protected area but are owned by the University of South Carolina. The fund-raising arm of the University was hoping to remove the two structures in order to build a hotel for the National Advocacy Center. This proved to be controversial decision. Other hotel owners have raised a hailstorm about the University’s plans, citing that they will drain revenue from their businesses. Preservation advocates have criticized the University’s disregard of the historic significance of the two buildings. Subsequently, the hotel plan has proceeded, but will now incorporate the renovation of both the Kirkland Apartments and the Black House.

These two structures are the last surviving Mission Revival styles in the University area. They were constructed in the early 1900s and were incorporated into a large neighborhood by the 1950s. However, the University of South Carolina destroyed much of the neighborhood to build their liberal arts building and the more recent National Advocacy Center. The University Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the school, hoped to clear away the Black House and Kirkland Apartments to make way for an inn that would serve the National Advocacy Center and visiting professors. The location of the two structures is prime, directly across the street from the Center and bound on the north side of the lot by a parking garage. However, preservation-minded citizens spoke up quickly to challenge the university’s plans.

In a series of discussions and meetings, the new university president Dr. Andrew Sorenson pledged to find a happy conclusion to the battle between the school and preservation supporters like HCF, the University Neighborhood Association, and some members of City Council. Finally, it came down to a vote, and City Council agreed to extend landmark status to the two buildings, a move that effectively barred their demolition and required approval from the Columbia Development and Design Review Commission before any changes were made to the buildings.

In a battle that took over a year, developers, USC, and preservationists have found a solution. Though stalled by hoteliers in the city, USC finally reached an agreement that incorporates both the Black House and the Kirkland Apartments into a new inn and apartment for visiting professors. A clear victory for preservationists and the community at large, the restoration of these two buildings will allow some of Columbia’s built environment to survive and flourish into the progressive twenty-first century.

The Kirkland Apartments were constructed in 1918 at a cost of $40,000. It is similar in material and composition to other apartments in the area, but is unique in its Spanish tile roof, decorative knee braces under the eaves, and the graceful iron banisters on the porches. It was designed and built for Columbia businessman B.B. Kirkland, by the prominent Columbia architectural firm Lafaye and Lafaye. This building will be renovated into nice apartments for visiting professors. It is fortunate that the structure’s original purpose will be retained and the Kirkland Apartments will once again be a lively and viable residential unit.

The Cain-Matthews-Tompkins House, known popularly as the Black House, was constructed ca. 1910 for and by John Jefferson Cain, perhaps one of the most well-known and prolific building contractors in Columbia in the early twentieth century. He built the now-demolished Jefferson Hotel as well as the extant hallmarks of Main Street, the Arcade Building and the Palmetto Building skyscraper. Designer William Augustus Edwards (1866-1939) was well known in both Columbia and Atlanta, but he also designed projects in several southeastern states. Noted features of the Italianate brick house are the leaded glass windows, green tile roof, arched dormers, decorative chimney pots and exposed rafters. The Black House will be renovated into the lobby for the new inn.

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