Aug Smith on Main (Bishop Furniture building renovation)

[Historyguy]

Here's a look at the fence around this project from the Dunbar Street side from Friday morning. 

[Historyguy]

And, a story on the Aug Smith-Bishop Furniture building project.  

http://www.goupstate.com/news/20170306/developer-closes-on-former-furniture-store-downtown

 

[westsider28]

Here's another article about the purchase & renovation.  The developer says that the project should be completed by the end of the year!  I'm impressed; that seems incredibly fast.  Looking forward to seeing it happen!

[westsider28]

Front facade being opened up again!

[westsider28]

Front facade continues to be opened up.

[westsider28]

Most of the former windows have been opened up now.

[westsider28]

At the bike race Friday night, I noticed signs on the building that had an official name of "Aug Smith on Main," several new high-quality renderings, and online pages (Facebook, website).  The website is very bare-bones, but has the renderings scrolling in the background.  Looks very nice.  There was also a social gathering of sorts last week to celebrate the renovation.  Here's a progress photo I took, plus a few pics from their FB page:

[westsider28]

Front is totally opened up now, including the ground floor.  A square hole for the stairwell/elevator has been cut in floors 2 and 3.

[westsider28]

Elevator shaft is up in the rear.  Gives a good idea of the height of the additional floors that will be added.

[westsider28]

Most of the windows on the Liberty Street side of the building have now been expanded.

[westsider28]

Today I noticed that framing for the first additional floor (of 2) is underway!  The front stair-tower is also going up inside.

[roads-scholar]

Thanks for the update!

The little space with the "FOR LEASE" sign.  Does anyone know how many square feet that is?  Seems like a good spot for some kind of restaurant.

[westsider28]

I think it's quite small, but I'm sure a sandwich shop or similar could go there.  The biggest barrier to getting a full-service restaurant up here is having a space with a commercial kitchen.  Installing one costs big $$$, takes up space, requires venting and I think a grease trap. 

I wish someone would renovate the old Blood Bank building; that'd be a great place for a restaurant.

[westsider28]

This project now has their full website up: https://www.augsmithonmain.com/  It's got all the various apartment floor plan options, info on amenities, details about the retail spaces, history of the building, etc.

I also found in the real estate listing for the retail spaces, that they seem to be pushing for a restaurant in the basement space (4500 sq ft).  That would certainly be a unique space for a restaurant.

[westsider28]

Here's an awesome aerial progress photo that was posted by Aug Smith on Instagram today:

[Spartan]

That's awesome. If Spartanburg had higher paying jobs in my industry I would want to move back and live in this building.

[roads-scholar]

19 minutes ago, Spartan said:

That's awesome. If Spartanburg had higher paying jobs in my industry I would want to move back and live in this building.

My goal is to relocate my business to Spartanburg and also live in this building!

[westsider28]

Photo update from Friday:

[roads-scholar]

The penthouse apartments are going to be cool!

[Spartanburg Guy]

2 pictures from the back.

 

[Spartanburg Guy]

The 6th floor is up.

 

[westsider28]

Progress update from this weekend:

[roads-scholar]

From Dunbar and Liberty Street with a good view of the penthouse floors. 

[Spartanburg Guy]

Picture taken from the Hangar parking lot September 6.

[westsider28]

Just announced via Instagram, Greenville-based Spill The Beans coffee shop will be occupying a ground floor space in the Aug Smith building next Spring.  I think we're ready for multiple coffee shops downtown, and I think they are far enough apart to have unique sets of clientele.  And most importantly, this is a tenant that should really help bring more activity to that part of East Main.  Great news, IMO.

Edit: UBJ article on Spill The Beans, and progress photo from today: