2026 Preservation Awards | 2200 Sumter Street
Thursday, May 14th 2026
WINNER | Preservation, Rehabilitation, or Restoration (commercial, institutional, rental, or municipal)
2200 Sumter Street
Yip Premier Real Estate — Property Owners
Architrave — Architect
Cohn Construction Services — Contractor
The rehabilitation of 2200 Sumter Street demonstrates how thoughtful preservation can revive a neglected commercial building while strengthening a historic corridor. Erected in 1964, the one-story structure had suffered decades of deferred maintenance. Openings had been infilled, interior partitions obscured the building’s character, and structural issues threatened its stability. Despite these challenges, key architectural features such as masonry walls, original steel windows, and distinctive steel bowstring trusses remained intact.
Owners Karen Yip and Robbie Hinrichs undertook an involved rehabilitation to stabilize the building while celebrating the property’s defining historic elements. Working with architect Dale Marshall of Architrave and contractor Carlie Allman of Cohn Construction Services, the team began by reinforcing the foundation and replacing the roof. Insulation was relocated above the roof deck so the bowstring truss could remain visible and serve as a focal point within the interior.
Previously enclosed openings were reopened and fitted with compatible storefront glazing and glass overhead doors, restoring transparency and reconnecting the building to the street. Original steel windows were repaired, and a new front porch installed to strengthen the building’s relationship to the surrounding neighborhood and pedestrian corridor.
Today, the building functions as the office of Yip Premier Real Estate while also serving as a venue for professional gatherings and community events. The project illustrates how preserving character-defining elements can transform a formerly utilitarian structure into a vibrant neighborhood asset. By adapting the building for contemporary use while retaining its architectural identity, the rehabilitation highlights the role historic buildings can play as catalysts for reinvestment in Columbia’s commercial districts.
Images courtesy of Robbie Hinrichs.
Before & After | Exterior
Before & After | Rear Exterior
Before & After | Meeting Room
Check out some of the other 2026 Preservation Award recipients:
2026 Preservation Awards | Advent Christian Church
At 1419 Anthony Avenue, a former 1940s church was carefully adapted into a private residence while retaining its historic identity. Restored materials and preserved interior features allow the building’s layered history to remain visible in its new life.
2026 Preservation Awards | Finlay Park
The $24 million Finlay Park Revitalization Project restored the vitality of this important civic landscape, returning the park to its role as a vibrant public destination. Today, the revitalized Finlay Park demonstrates how thoughtful design and government investment are central in the ongoing life of public green spaces expected to serve as social, cultural, and recreational destinations in urban settings.
2026 Preservation Awards | Pickens Street Cottages
The Pickens Street Cottages transformed a former parking lot into a residential enclave that echoes the scale and rhythm of the surrounding historic neighborhood. Through compatible design, materials, and site planning, the project reestablished a sense of continuity with the block’s residential past.
2026 Preservation Awards | A.S. Salley Library & Office
Rehabilitation work at 1917 College Street focused on stabilizing a historic structure long challenged by drainage and foundation issues while preserving its architectural character. Thoughtful repairs and system upgrades ensured the building’s continued use and long-term preservation.