COLUMBIA, S.C. — The former South Carolina State Armory building at 1219 Assembly St. in downtown Columbia could become a boutique hotel in the near future.
Paperwork has been filed with Columbia's Design/Development Review Commission (D/DRC) for Bailey Bill status to convert the three-story, free-standing masonry building into a 44-room hotel, including a 15,451 square foot addition on the back of the existing building.
The building was constructed in 1905 and was listed on the National Register in 1999. This particular project came before the D/DRC in November 2020 -- pre-COVID-19 -- for preliminary certification for the Bailey Bill and for a Certificate of Design Approval for exterior changes and the addition. No work was started since the initial approval, and the 2-year investment period for the Bailey Bill expired. Since then, changes have been made to the exterior design and plans have been re-submitted.
The addition would feature a rooftop restaurant area that would not be connected to the original structure and the overall look of the addition would be compatible with the existing building.
Armory on Assembly project details include salvaging and repurposing original bead-board ceilings, original wood columns, hardwood floors an three-story staircase.
Columbia's D/DRC meets Thursday, March 16, at 4 pm at City Hall Council Chambers.
