Barringer Building
Location
Main Street - Columbia, South Carolina
Project Type
Commercial, Mixed-Use, Adaptive Reuse, Historic
Scope of Work
Converting existing office space in historic building to 7 residential units.
Structural analysis of existing floor system.
Design of new floor with strategic bearing locations and void for utilities.
Key Challenges
The ceiling below the existing floor is historic and cannot have penetrations. All new gravity systems (sewer lines) must run below floor.
Facilitating construction via deep enough void for adequate void depth for plumbing drops/runs, while minimizing notching of structural members.
Coordinating moisture control, Fire suppression and ventilation of inaccessible floor system.
Built in 1903, the Barringer Building is a defining landmark in downtown Columbia and holds the distinction of being the city’s first skyscraper. Rising twelve stories above Main Street, it quickly became a symbol of Columbia’s growth and modernization, earning recognition throughout South Carolina.
Designed by New York architect James Brite, its architecture reflects the influence of the Chicago School, combining innovative early skyscraper engineering with timeless classical design. The building’s limestone base, red brick façade, and ornate upper-level detailing continue to make it one of Columbia’s most recognizable historic structures.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Barringer Building stands as a lasting testament to the city’s architectural heritage and enduring spirit of progress.
Source: South Carolina Encyclopedia, "Barringer Building"; “Columbia’s Modern Skyscraper,” The Columbia State, October 18, 1903.
Part of Columbia’s History
