2025 Preservation Awards | DePass House
Friday, May 16th 2025
WINNER | Preservation, Rehabilitation, or Restoration (residential/single family)
DePass House | 920 Gregg Street
Archie and Sarah Parnell — Property Owners
Buck Monroe — Architect
Betsy Kleinfelder — Preservation Consultant
Nestled in the National Register of Historic Places-listed University Hill neighborhood, 920 Gregg Street, aka the DePass House, is notable for architecture and for its association with a former owner involved in South Carolina’s last legally sanctioned duel. Advertised by The State newspaper in 1910 as “very conveniently arranged [with] a very spacious attic,” the property recently underwent rehabilitation work that allowed its current owners, Archie and Sarah Parnell, to benefit from state homeowner tax credits following the purchase of the property on short sale.
The couple’s holistic scope of work addressed exterior and interior facets of their ca.-1910 residence. Foundation corrections involved addressing settling and water infiltration issues by installing new sills and helical piers and rebuilding the front porch framing and decking. Outdated and unsafe electrical wiring and plumbing systems merited complete replacement, and redundant telephone and electrical lines were remedied by removing an unused electric/telephone pole and burying the electric line to the house. These improvements and further site work prevented further foundation issues while enhancing the property’s aesthetic appeal in the historic district. Further improvements included installing period-appropriate railing at the courtyard’s covered entrance; installing architecturally sympathetic windows on the back of house; modifying interior staircase to promote life safety; and performing renovations of the family room with historically inspired pilasters and beams. Lastly, the Parnells upfit the attic to expand the home’s inhabitable square footage.
Images courtesy of Archie and Sarah Parnell.
Before & After | Exterior
Before & After | Stairs
Before & After | Family Room
Explore the
Economic Impact Study
This study's findings reinforce our long-held position on the importance of historic preservation for the city's economy and support our work advocating for policies that encourage preservation and the reuse of historic buildings. Columbia’s architectural heritage is not simply an exercise in nostalgia; it is an informed, strategic investment in the future.
Check out some of the other 2025 Preservation Award recipients:
2025 Preservation Awards | John C. Heslep House
Recently significantly rehabilitated, 303 Saluda Avenue arguably ranks among Columbia’s most iconic early twentieth century residences. Today home to the Tomlin family, the ca.-1917 house grew into its current form and style between 1927 and 1928 under the ownership of John C. Heslep, a prominent local contractor.
2025 Preservation Awards | Fred Delk
This year’s preservation leadership award winner played a critical role in shaping our capital city for a generation, proving that informed, successful, and even enviable urban growth can and should include historic properties. Without Fred Delk’s dedication to integrating landmark buildings into the fabric of our daily lives, irreplaceable buildings would have met the wrecking ball, leaving us and future residents of and visitors to Columbia culturally poorer.
2025 Preservation Awards | Barton House
That rehabilitation offers old buildings new life is a story that runs deep for the Barton House. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this ca.-1850 former residence-turned-office building originally stood a block north, on the grounds of the former State Hospital, whose campus is now being repurposed as the BullStreet District.
2025 Preservation Awards | 1225 & 1229 Lincoln Street
After a generation-long spate of revitalization, Columbia’s Congaree Vista district rarely affords opportunities for revitalizing historic buildings. So, when the former Palmetto Candy & Tobacco store—a architecturally contributing property within the heart of the historic district—came up for sale, rehabilitating the property in a sensitive fashion proved a must for new owner Jerry and Ben’s, LLC.