Renovation Rodeo | Congaree Vista
Wednesday, December 10th 2025
Palladium presented Renovation Rodeo | Congaree Vista on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Guests toured these twin two-story structural terra cotta block buildings while enjoying beer from Columbia Craft Brewing Company and delicious food from Something Small Catering. Scott Garvin, who purchased the building in 2020, spoke about his rehabilitation of the property. Garvin, preservationist Meg Syms, and architect Andrew Rogerson walked attendees through the thoughtful decision making that went into transforming the property into 12 2-bedroom apartments known collectively as Gadsden Place. This event was proudly sponsored by Garvin Design Group and Rikard & Protopapas.
Throughout the year, Palladium features a property that has undergone—or is undergoing—an impressive renovation. From tiny 1940s bungalows to turn-of-the-century mansions, and everything in between, these events give you a chance to tour properties, learn about their renovation, and have a great time doing it. And they're FREE for our Palladium members!
Event Images
This blog has been adapted from research provided by Garvin Design Group.
About the Neighborhood
The West Gervais Street Historic District is a collection of primarily brick commercial, industrial, warehouse, and railroad buildings. The development of the railroad in Columbia in the 1840s established this area, now commonly known as the Vista, as an industrial hub of town with easy access to the various railway lines that flowed through this section of town. Most extant buildings today reflect this warehouse and industrial style through fireproof brick construction and freight doors meant to easily transport goods and materials. Commercial buildings are also represented in the district with many selling products arriving from the trains or housed offices for companies’ warehouses. Train depots are also prevalent and reflect the passenger trains that functioned in these crossroads, with many of the historic train tracks still represented in the streets.
This 1945 aerial photograph of downtown Columbia includes Gadsden Place (at center). Image courtesy
of Richland County Public Library.
Building History
The W.C. Peeler Building (1209 Gadsden Street) and the Young & Roberts Building (1211 Gadsden Street) are twin two-story structural terra cotta block buildings with a stucco façade built in 1920 by new wholesale grocer Gaines-Fellers. The company occupied the 1209 Gadsden Street. address while advertising the adjacent 1211 Gadsden Street address as for sale. Throughout the first decade, various tenants moved in and out of both buildings.
On January 1, 1922, a fire damaged the second story of 1209 Gadsden Street and destroyed approximately half of Gaines-Fellers' stock. The company pivoted, first by deploying seven “Rolling Red Stores” and then by building a new structure at the corner of Assembly and Lady streets. The novel concept of a grocery store on wheels did not save the company, which filed for bankruptcy in 1923. Image reprinted from The Columbia Record, March 21, 1922.
By 1927, the two buildings featured long term tenants who would occupy their respective spaces until nearly 1970. W.C. Peeler Company, a bottling and fountain drink supply company operated from the southern building (1209) until 1968. Remnants of the Peeler’s bottle cap company, including stacks of uncut metal sheets with pressed bottle cap patterns, were evident in the basement level at the beginning of the building’s recent rehabilitation.Young & Roberts grocery occupied the northern building (1211) from 1929 until 1969. At this time, J.W. Vaughan Company, an industrial power transmission distributor, purchased 1209 Gadsden Street.
Twenty years later, Vaughan purchased 1211 Gadsden and expanded into it. In 2000, B.W. Clark purchased both J. W. Vaughan Company and 1209-1211 Gadsden Street, painting the two faces the same color for the first time.
This August 1983 photograph of 1209 and 1211 Gadsden Street was taken before JW Vaughan Company
expanded into both buildings. Image provided by the Clark family.
Architecture
The twin buildings both feature Italianate influences in their facades, not unlike neighboring buildings in the West Gervais Street Historic District. However, the W.C. Peeler building (and its twin Young & Roberts to the immediate north) are constructed of unornamented architectural terra-cotta blocks. Architectural terra-cotta was a common alternative to other fireproof construction materials in the first quarter of the 20th century but had fallen widely out of use by midcentury. Thus, these buildings are an important and unique vestige of early 20th century building materials within the Western Gervais Street Historic District.
This 1984 photograph shows the facade improvements made to both buildings. Image provided by the
Clark family.
Rehabilitation
1209–1211 Gadsden Street post-renovation, now home to 12 residential units. Image courtesy of Brian Dressler.
The buildings’ interiors maintain many of their original features including historic wood floors, beadboard walls, wooden chamfered columns, vault, and the early 20th century freight elevator. Despite suffering fire damage in 1989, the buildings have remained intact from their construction period, exhibiting the tenets of early 20th century commercial and industrial architecture.
Today, the two buildings have been thoughtfully transformed into 12 unique residential units, each blending historic character with modern comfort. While preserving key architectural details from the past, enhancements such as rooftop decks and additional light wells for natural daylight demonstrate a strong commitment to urban renewal and the district’s architectural heritage. These additions not only maintain the building’s historic character but also enhance its usability and create a better experience for residents.
Before and After
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The above research was compiled by members of the Palladium Board education committee, adapted from research from Garvin Design Group, and edited with assistance from Historic Columbia's research staff.
Event images courtesy of Historic Columbia. Renovation images courtesy of Meg Syms, Garvin Design Group, and Brian Dressler.
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Palladium
Palladium members don't just learn about Columbia's past - they have a say in its future. Our fundraising events support Historic Columbia's important preservation and advocacy work, which in turn helps preserve the charm and vitality of the city we call home.