2025 Preservation Awards | Fred Delk
Friday, May 16th 2025
WINNER | Preservation Leadership
Fred Delk
Columbia Development Corporation (CDC) [retired]; current BOT member of PreservationSC
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 (and visitors) to Columbia culturally poorer. However, through redevelopment opportunities involving both historic buildings and new construction, Fred rose as a tour-de-force within many municipal and non-profit circles—deftly navigating the politics of preservation to prove its pursuit was money well spent for all.
City of Columbia Senior Preservation Planner Amy Moore, a 2021 Preservation Leadership Award recipient, characterized Fred as “bristling with creative energy, an appreciation for the unique charm and marketability of historic buildings, and the determination to make things happen. Where other people saw only problems, he invariably saw opportunities. I can see Fred sitting in his office in the Vista, talking passionately about an idea, waving his hands around and saying ‘Well, why not?!!’” His enthusiasm, his ability to pull others into the flow of possibility, his willingness to partner, to take risks—all are hallmarks of his entrepreneurial spirit and terrific leadership. Such dedication led to the preservation and repurposing of the former Confederate printing plant for use as a Publix grocery store and townhouses.
Scott Garvin, architect, developer, and a 2021 Preservation Leadership Award recipient, opined, “Fred’s visionary success came from diligently connecting developers, design teams, and the City stakeholders to begin the process of restoration on many projects that were instrumental in the growth of our downtown core.” Nothing could be more accurate to describe his role in ensuring the preservation of the Palmetto Compress Building, which today is a brilliant example of adaptive use. Robert Lewis, a 2005 Preservation Leadership Award winner, offered his own ringing endorsement, “I cannot think of anyone better to receive this distinction. The quality and character of our City Center can largely be attributed to him and the actions he took over 25 years. In fact, Fred proved instrumental in my first tax credit project, the North Carolina Mutual Building.”
Indeed, this year’s recipient—Fred Delk—deftly navigated preservation and development opportunities throughout Columbia after twenty-five years while Executive Director of the Columbia Development Corporation (CDC). In return for his efforts, our city today retains key landmark buildings such as the Olympia and Granby Mill administration building, the Curtiss-Wright Hangar, the Nathaniel Jerome Frederick House, 701 Whaley Street, and dozens of other properties. New construction like affordable housing on Edisto Court and the artist colony of Stormwater Studios further illustrate Fred’s creative energy that infused Columbia’s Rosewood and Vista communities with greater assets for a broad spectrum of citizens. Catalyst, creator, and problem solver, Fred is a highly recognized and applauded force whose unique talents and dedication forwarded historic preservation while ensuring the vitality of commercial, residential, and cultural development in South Carolina’s capital city.
Congratulations, Fred!
Some of Fred Delk's Projects
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 | 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.
2025 Preservation Awards | Taylor House
When completed in 1908, 1501 Senate Street stood out among neighboring residences for its architectural sophistication. Built for Thomas and Susan Ames Taylor, Jr., following a design by the Boston architectural firm Andrews, Jacques, and Rantoul, the neoclassical mansion ultimately evolved to function in ways for which it was never intended.
2025 Preservation Awards | The Laundry
Adaptive use of historic buildings has played a key role in the success of Columbia’s BullStreet District realizing its full potential. Rehabilitation of the circa-1883 laundry building marks the latest chapter in the decades-long transformation.