Studio 2LR, Inc.

Adluh Flour has remained an iconic landmark amidst Columbia’s historic Vista district since the early 1900s. Beginning in the mid 1990’s, the Vista experienced a revitalization into a vibrant entertainment and business district. Many of the early 20th century brick warehouse buildings have been rehabilitated and converted into restaurants, retail stores, professional offices, and loft-style apartments.

In 2010, the Allen family decided to convert their historic brick warehouse at 802/804 Gervais Street into a mixed-use commercial building. The project included the rehabilitation of a 2-story (with basement) 20,000 SF building, parking areas, truck aprons, and surrounding landscaped areas. All modifications to the site had to allow for access to the functioning flour mill beyond.

The existing corrugated steel gable roof was replaced with a standing-seam metal roof system with rigid insulation. The insulation was added above the existing wood deck to preserve the appearance of the original wood trusses and decking at the second floor. All mechanical units for the project were placed on the flat roof at the south end of the building. A modern steel screen wall was designed and installed around the perimeter to visually conceal roof top equipment.

The design team worked with the South Carolina Department of Archives & History and the City of Columbia historic preservation staff to research appropriate historic windows and doors to be incorporated into the project. Existing windows and doors were replaced and new windows and doors were installed at bricked-in openings.

On the Gadsden side of the building, the train car and rail spur were moved further south on the property to allow for construction of a new patio and canopy serving the first floor restaurant tenant. The steel canopy structure was designed with modern elements specifically to contrast the original historic building elements. On the parking lot side of the building, a dilapidated loading dock and canopy was removed, and new walkways and entry features were designed for the building core and the tenant spaces.

On the interior of the building the existing wood roof trusses and floor joists remain and are visible aesthetic elements along with the exterior brick walls in the individual tenant spaces. The existing wood floor separating the first and second floor was modified to meet acoustical and fire separation requirements. Two new stairs and an elevator have been added to the building core, and original heart pine wood flooring was salvaged and reinstalled in the lobby areas.

The renovated warehouse building is now occupied by a restaurant tenant on the first floor with additional retail/restaurant space available on the first floor and basement level, and professional office space available on the second floor.