The State from Columbia, South Carolina • 95

COVER STORY HOME 5 THE STATE Fanlight windows in the foyer of Mash-burn Construction create an open relaxed feeling A receptionist works out of the living room at the foot of the stairs PAM ROYALTHE STATE RENEE ITTNER-MCMANUSIHE S1AIE The lobby of attorney Peter office at 1611 Hampton St features stained glass windows office is in the living room other offices are upstairs tion is a challenge After attorney Ken Suggs outgrew the Hampton Street house he bought in 1981 he expanded into three neighboring ones Computers link the of yellow blue and white houses but secretaries still march back and forth with files makes us easy to find being able to tell people in the yellow house at Hampton and Gregg instead of a downtown office Suggs said also unquestionably less expensive than The initial investment excluding restoration costs can be large running up to $75 per square foot got a lot of unexpected costs as well as the said Jim Richardson of Classic Renovations who has restored dozens of old structures Codes for structures intended for public use are strict including requirements for the disabled and often hold others back from investing Lockwood said But sales recently have picked up among the largest investments the historic DeBruhl-Marshall House that business owner Bill Gregg just restored Leasing activity also is up Lockwood said as occupancy rates throughout downtown reach 90 percent Attorneys like Rickborn like the fact that courthouses are within walking distance of their offices But what most sold on is the homey atmosphere The Arsenal Hill house with its flower-filled front yard resembles a vine-covered cottage where Grandma might have lived That kind of atmosphere puts clients at ease and makes for a more relaxed work environment a certain warmth to it" said attorney Clifton Newman who recently restored a Richland Street home find our staff really enjoys the place and as anxious to leave at 5 Outside the atmosphere is like a residential neighborhood said Harry Mashburn who runs a construction company from a Richland Street house The oak-lined street which houses a string of offices sports some of grandest dwellings once home to the earliest families Like the architecture remnants of those simpler times remain even if activity lulls after 5 even nice just being able to park in the shade" Mashburn said for what these businesses have done in preserving the streetscape of what these neighborhoods were once at least the case from 9 until 5 when parking is at a premium At night the streets are clear and sidewalks deserted One reason more live there is the large number of close-in neighborhoods said Bill Kelly the preservation coordinator and acting zoning administrator Another is lack of affordable housing and amenities like grocery stores still left with that residential character because the signage in front of these offices is so said Kelly who lives in one of Richland few remaining residences when 1 come home at night so quiet kind of Pluses and minuses Parking maintenance and design restrictions can be drawbacks for setting up shop in an old home downtown But owners say those are offset by the location investment and atmosphere Zoning laws often restrict owners to a certain amount of parking per square foot and upkeep on an old home can be expensive If the home is in one of the four historic districts the owner must obtain approval from the city Landmarks Commission before making exterior changes Vinyl siding for example is forbidden downside is you have to keep painting and painting the old Rickborn said you have maintenance problems with newer buildings because they often built as well with the quality materials used in these old Floor plans also can pose problems having a bathroom on the first floor is a definite said Jennifer Korn who works part time for her Hampton Street law firm Peter Korn installed an elevator in the Queen Anne-style house but his daughter said it has been known to stop between floors Fireplaces always an amenity either The walls in conference room display ashen imprints of a confused bird that entered through a chimney and crashed while seeking an open window And when the office consumes more than one house communica PH Your Last Opportunity To Buy In Phase IV! miss the opportunity to live in Dove Trace! Select your homesite and one of our exciting floorplans before there all gone! New Homes From The Open Daily 1-6 Ask Us About! SPECIAL Financing State Housing Down Payment Assistance First Time Buyer Programs White Knoll Schools Conveniently located to 1-20 and all of Columbia Call 359-1146 New Homes Sales Marketing by: Bob Capes Columbia- Great Carolina Builders Home THE STATE Columbia SC Sunday August 21 1994.