Raines has broken ground on The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista in Columbia, SC. Developed and managed by Raines, this will be the second Shepherd Hotel in the state. With design and architecture by Garvin Design Group and built by Mashburn Construction, the hotel is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2025.

The first Shepherd Hotel opened in downtown Clemson, SC, in September of 2022. The brand was cofounded by Rick Hayduk, a hospitality veteran; Rich Davies, a third-generation real estate developer; and Dabo Swinney, Clemson University’s head football coach. Inspired by his two children with Down Syndrome, Hayduk had long been interested in opening a hotel that employed individuals with disabilities. The Shepherd Hotel Downtown Clemson opened in collaboration with ClemsonLIFE, a Clemson University program that empowers students with intellectual disabilities to follow their career goals and experience life on a college campus. The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista will partner with the University of South Carolina’s CarolinaLIFE program to offer similar opportunities through the University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism.

“The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista celebrates our passion for the hospitality industry and our commitment to our communities,” said David Tart, managing partner, Raines. “We are excited to provide valuable skills and career opportunities for students and young adults with intellectual disabilities, particularly in college towns.”

Hayduk added, “The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista is a special milestone for us, as it builds on our mission to provide exceptional hospitality experiences through creating sustainable employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities in the industry. We are thrilled to partner with Raines to bring the second Shepherd Hotel to life.”

The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista will transform the historic Columbia Central Fire Station into a 59-key boutique hotel. It will be located within The Vista, a historic development project in proximity to the University of South Carolina, the South Carolina Statehouse, Colonial Life Arena and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

This adaptive-reuse project will honor the history of the Columbia Central Fire Station, one of the city’s oldest fire stations, while incorporating amenities like a fitness center, boardroom, lounge and valet parking. Kevin Johnson, James Beard Nominee and University of South Carolina alumni, will lead the hotel’s food and beverage program.

“We’re proud to be a part of this project, which blends our passion for historic preservation and our commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality spaces,” said Lee Mashburn, president, Mashburn Construction. “Working with the Raines team is an exciting opportunity. We are honored to contribute to the revitalization of this iconic building. We are also thrilled to be constructing the second Shepherd Hotel in South Carolina, just blocks from Mashburn’s corporate headquarters.”

H.S. Russell, a longtime investor in the hospitality space and executive board member at Raines, said, “The Shepherd Hotel Columbia Vista is not only another significant addition to the Raines portfolio; it will also introduce a new caliber of hotel to the Columbia market. We look forward to seeing the impact this hotel has on the community for years to come. Our commitment to this mission is very important to me, my family and our business.”

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