Aiken, September 18, 2025
News Summary
The Aiken City Council is planning to vote on the sale of Hotel Aiken and several other historical properties to Oliver Hospitality Group for $2.5 million. The sale is part of a redevelopment initiative aimed at transforming the properties into a mixed-use development that will feature a boutique hotel, street-level retail, and more. Public input will be gathered in a design charette scheduled for late September.
Aiken
The Aiken City Council is set to vote on a significant agreement that proposes the sale of Hotel Aiken and several adjacent properties to Oliver Hospitality Group for $2.5 million. This meeting will take place on September 22, 2025, and the proposed sale price aligns with the current appraised value of the properties.
The properties included in the sale encompass a variety of significant structures within Aiken’s downtown area. These consist of Hotel Aiken, the Holley House (a strip of motel rooms constructed in 1981), the Beckman Building, the Taj Aiken building, the C.C. Johnson building, and the Warneke Cleaners building. The buildings were originally constructed between 1898 and 1981.
According to Aiken City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh, there are plans to repurpose these properties into a mixed-use development that will feature a boutique hotel, street-level retail, a residential component, and a public/private parking deck.
The city’s acquisition of these properties in 2021 was part of a redevelopment initiative known as Project Pascalis, which cost $7.6 million. This plan, however, faced substantial local pushback from preservationists who opposed the demolition of historic structures. A lawsuit filed in July 2022 is still pending and alleges that the Aiken Municipal Development Commission (AMDC) failed to adhere to legal procedures in selecting a developer.
The AMDC suspended the initial redevelopment plans in September 2022. Following the pause, Oliver Hospitality was chosen as the potential buyer, following a recommendation by an eight-member group that included local professionals and city officials. The company specializes in boutique hospitality, currently managing six boutique hotels and nine restaurants across several states, including properties that have undergone renovations spanning from 1846 to 1924.
A design charette is scheduled for September 29-30 to gather input from the public on the redevelopment plans. Before any work can proceed, the Design Review Board must approve the proposals, which will place particular emphasis on the size of the proposed parking deck—aiming for a scale that is smaller than previous designs to complement the surrounding architecture.
Hotel Aiken holds a prominent place in Aiken’s history, having been a central element of the downtown area for 125 years and anchoring one end of its most crucial commercial block. Advocacy groups focused on preservation have emphasized the importance of maintaining the hotel’s historic significance, reflected in its designation as a historic property on the National Register.
Mayor Teddy Milner recently stated the need for revitalizing the downtown area while preserving its historical identity. The proximity of these properties to the Augusta National Golf Club is also seen as an advantage that could enhance tourism once renovations are completed.
FAQ
- What properties are being sold by Aiken City Council?
- The properties include Hotel Aiken, the Holley House, the Beckman Building, the Taj Aiken building, the C.C. Johnson building, and the Warneke Cleaners building.
- What is the proposed sale price of the properties?
- The proposed sale price is $2.5 million.
- Who is the prospective buyer of the properties?
- The prospective buyer is Oliver Hospitality Group, based in Nashville.
- What are the intended uses for the properties after the sale?
- The intended use for the properties will be a mix of a boutique hotel, street-level retail, a residential component, and a public/private parking deck.
- Why was the redevelopment plan halted in September 2022?
- The redevelopment plan was halted due to a pending lawsuit claiming that the AMDC did not follow proper procedures for developer selection required by state law.
- When is the public design charette scheduled to take place?
- The design charette is scheduled for September 29-30.
- What historic significance does Hotel Aiken have?
- The Hotel Aiken has been a key feature of downtown Aiken for 125 years and is designated as a historic property on the National Register.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sale Price | $2.5 million |
| Buyer | Oliver Hospitality Group |
| Included Properties | Hotel Aiken, Holley House, Beckman Building, Taj Aiken building, C.C. Johnson building, Warneke Cleaners building |
| Intended Uses | Boutique hotel, street-level retail, residential component, public/private parking deck |
| Acquisition Cost | $7.6 million (in 2021) |
| Design Charette Dates | September 29-30, 2025 |
| Historic Significance | Hotel Aiken is on the National Register of Historic Places |
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: City Council to Consider Hotel Aiken Sale Agreement
- WRDW: Historic Hotel Aiken Could See New Changes Soon
- WJBF: Full Speed Ahead for New Hotel & Restaurant in Aiken
- Colliers: The City of Aiken Lists Historical Hotel Aiken for Sale
- Post and Courier: Hotel Aiken Appraised Value
- Wikipedia: Aiken, South Carolina
- Google Search: Aiken South Carolina news
- Google Scholar: Aiken historic preservation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Aiken
- Google News: Aiken South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
