2024 Preservation Awards | Maxcy Gregg House
Thursday, May 16th 2024
WINNER | Preservation, Rehabilitation, or Restoration (commercial, institutional, rental, or municipal)
Maxcy Gregg House | 1518 Richland Street
Avant & McLeod - Richlands, LLC — Property Owner
Avant Holdings — Project Manager
Studio 2LR — Architect
Historic Columbia — Preservation Consultant
Appreciating the value that historic buildings provide as unique work environments, owners Todd Avant and Mullins McLeod acquired this ca.-1841 former residence, which had fallen into disrepair following years of commercial use. One of Columbia’s oldest former residences, the antebellum property required extensive exterior, interior, and site work—rehabilitation guided by the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service to qualify for historic tax credits and the Bailey Bill tax abatement.
With NPS-guideline-based rehabilitation plans rendered by Tripp Riley of Studio 2LR, the owners addressed plaster and lathe repairs, plumbing replacement, and the installation of new electrical fixtures on all three levels of the house. Restoration of the original hardwood floors followed the removal of a plywood patch and carpet in the main level rear. In the raised basement level, asbestos flooring was removed, historic brick pavers carefully cleaned, and concrete floors treated with a clear sealant. South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office guidance resulted in an enclosed former porch being successfully turned into a Class A office kitchenette by creatively accommodating historic windowsills and window height.
Outside, extensive rot and material loss required custom-milled replacements for deteriorated balusters, shutter louvers, fascia, and dormer trim. Window damage required replacing 26 broken panes with salvaged antique wavy glass. Installation of a new roof membrane mitigated water infiltration in the front central porch that had led to significant roof rot. Further carpentry improvements included the construction of an ADA-code-compliant ramp on the south elevation. Mortar testing ensured the correct recipe was used in performing chimney repairs. Lastly, the house received a comprehensive exterior and interior paint job.
What may seem like general maintenance to the uninitiated, this carefully executed rehabilitation involved elements—technical and financial—that are integral components of far larger commercial historic tax credit endeavors. The outcome is a revitalized property within the Robert Mills Historic District suitable to a host of potential tenants.
Before & After
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.
