Plans for the Wagener-Ohlandt Building
DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON, S.C. – A well-known home furnishing company, RH (formerly Restoration Hardware), has expressed interest in revitalizing the historic Wagener-Ohlandt building on East Bay Street. However, concerns regarding the design’s compatibility with the historic district have placed the plans on hold. The building, which dates back to 1880, has been vacant for seven years.
Community Support for the Project
Norma Cable, a local artist and vice president of the Lowcountry Artist Gallery, which is located next door, expressed her support for the project. “I just hate to see beautiful historic buildings not being used. So having something that’s useful and good as Restoration Hardware, come into that area, would be phenomenal,” Cable said.
RH plans to open “The Gallery” concept, which is already operational in Raleigh, NC. This gallery blends residential design and retail by offering installations of RH collections along with indoor and outdoor dining spaces. Local businesses believe the new location could attract more customers to the area. Natalie Lash, a barista at Baked House, commented, “Businesses thrive off each other. People can come here for snacks, then go next door for a new chair or a couch.”
Concerns Over Lighting and Historic Preservation
However, RH’s plans are on hold after a City of Charleston Board of Architectural Review meeting on August 13th, where the board denied permits for the proposed lighting of the building. Board members argued that the amount of illumination requested was too much for the historic district.
Robert Summerfield, a member of the board, explained, “The request was for a significant amount of illumination. We don’t really do a lot of illumination on Charleston buildings.” City officials clarified that RH still has the opportunity to revise their lighting design and submit a new plan that would meet the city’s historic preservation standards.
Moving Forward with Adjustments
While RH declined to comment on the project, city officials indicated that the company has options for adjusting the design, such as incorporating gas lights or using less modern lighting elements. “Once we get the new plan in our hand, we can get it turned around within about a 30 to 45-day process, depending on if it meets everything,” said Summerfield.
Looking Ahead
Although RH’s plans are currently on hold, the community remains hopeful that the historic building will soon find a new purpose, revitalizing East Bay Street and contributing to the area’s ongoing development.
