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Columbia Business Monthly

Historic Claussen’s Building Transformed Into Boutique Studio Apartments

Photo by Sean Rayford; Styx Co. team with City of Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin and Five Points Association Executive Director Kelsey Desender at the Claussen's ribbon cutting (left to right: David Tuttle, Julie Tuttle, Jesse Smith, Steve Benjamin, Ryan Hyler, Kelsey Desender).

The historic Claussen’s Bakery building has come back to life. The new Claussen’s features 29 freshly renovated, boutique studio apartments in the Five Points neighborhood in downtown Columbia, where Mayor Steve Benjamin, the Styx Co. development team, project partners, and local leaders celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 11, 2019. Modern amenities and more are detailed at www.liveatclaussens.com.

The transformed residential space highlights the building’s history and impact on the Five Points district, recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Styx Co. partners Jesse Smith, David Tuttle, Julie Tuttle, and Ryan Hyler, a team of local developers committed to the growth of the community, worked with the architects at 1x1 Design and the construction team at Cohn Construction Services to repurpose the space. First Palmetto Bank provided financial services for the project.

The partners at Styx Co. were joined at the ribbon cutting by local business partners and Columbia city officials to celebrate the building’s next phase of its cultural significance. Remarks were given by Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin; Styx Co. partner Ryan Hyler; and the new executive director of the Five Points Association, Kelsey Desender. The event was held to commemorate the redevelopment of a historic institution that has brought value, presence, and service to Columbia’s original village neighborhood.

“We are excited to be a part of the continued resurgence of Five Points,” notes Ryan Hyler, partner at Styx Co., the developers of Claussen's. “With the addition of new tenants such as Home Team BBQ and the White Mule, and additional development expected to occur along Harden Street, we believe that Five Points is at an all-time high.” 

The ceremony was followed by a reception with refreshments by Mr. Friendly’s and Fat Beagle Catering. Guests were given an opportunity to explore a variety of apartments and community spaces, which include elements like exposed brick, steel trusses and windows from the original Claussen’s Bakery, built in 1928. Construction on Claussen’s boutique studio apartments started in August 2018.

Units are available for lease with typical rents at $1125 per month, which includes cable, internet, parking, valet trash pickup, and more. Apartment interiors feature functional designs and trendsetting finishes on cabinetry, countertops, backsplashes, and hardware in brand new kitchenettes and bathrooms.

The community lounge and co-work space was designed to capture an authentic and cozy “bakeshop” feel. Other amenities include a library, endless hot water from community tankless water heaters, and an on-site fitness center with trending interactive exercise equipment.

Residents are within footsteps of any modern amenity and amongst some of the most iconic establishments in Columbia, including The Gourmet Shop, Drip Coffee, Goat’s, Baan Sawan, Saluda’s, and Mr. Friendly’s, making Claussen’s a prime residential space to live, work, and play.

Only a short walk from the University of South Carolina, the Olympic-sized pools at Maxcy Gregg Park, and the shaded hills of Shandon and Wales Garden neighborhoods, the location of Claussen’s boutique studio apartments offers a convenient living experience for a variety of demographics.  

Per Historic Columbia, the building was built by George Frederick Claussen, the grandson of a German immigrant who had previously established a steam bakery in Charleston. Through the first half of the 20th century, Claussen expanded his business to Greenville, as well as Augusta and Savannah, Ga. Within a decade of its opening, Claussen’s put Columbia on the map as an important center for bakery products and employed several hundred throughout the state.

“Besides its significance in Columbia’s industrial development, Claussen’s is an icon of a popular brand of corporate-style architecture that arose during its early years,” notes John Sherrer, director of cultural resources at Historic Columbia. “Until it ceased operation in 1963, Claussen’s Bakery made significant contributions to the industrial and commercial development of Columbia.”