Claussen’s

The Claussen's building has resided in the bustling Five Points Village since its construction in 1928. At 25,000 square feet, the industrial two-story building has undergone multiple transformations, from a bakery to a hotel, leading up to its current adaptation as a boutique apartment complex.

The building was commissioned in the early 20th century by George Frederick Claussen as the epicenter of what would become the regional industrial chain, Claussen's Bakery. Claussen, whose grandfather immigrated from Germany to establish a steam bakery in Charleston, expanded to prominent cities in both South Carolina  and  Georgia. The bakery contributed to the industrial economic  growth  of  Columbia,  employing hundreds of South Carolinians by the 1940s.

Combined local effort made it the prime time to rekindle the Claussen's building's role as a historic institution that continually gives value and service to its community. The location's proximity to some of  Columbia's beloved establishment offers a unique living experience to a wide range of demographics.  Adaptive reuse projects such as these have the capability to attract modern day users because of their distinct connection to the past. The repurposing that took place in the 1980s preserved the utilitarian historical style that is now brought to the forefront of the design. The design unmasks wide spanning steel beams and posts as well as the worn brick interior fac;ade that is evocative of the building's past. Claussen's minimalist design and preservation approach grants the residents the connection to the past that they are seeking out while simultaneously providing a blank canvas to make their own mark on the building.