Downtown Beaufort to get a Fresh New Look with Multistory Waterfront Building
July 31, 2024
In Beaufort, South Carolina, a change is about to sweep across the skyline. Local developer and property owner, Graham Trask, got the thumbs up in July to construct a brand new 2- and 3-story building overlooking the serene Beaufort River. This happened at the Beaufort Historic District Review Board meeting, held on July 10.
The Fine Details
With its approval, the 18,000 square-foot building is expected to add a fresh vibe to the waterfront. There were initial concerns from the board surrounding its size, design, choice of materials, and the removal of parking spaces during a May meeting. However, city planners gave their nod to it due to its synergy with the style of buildings gracing the waterfront way before the Waterfront Park popped up.
Interestingly, even though it is set to be the tallest building on Bay Street, Mike Sutton, the chairman of the review board, believes that the height will be kind of swallowed up, thanks to the tallest part of the building being in the property’s middle. Sutton resolves that this makes the building a sympathetic addition to downtown.
About the New Building
Like a juicy burger with multiple layers, the new building will have something tasty on every floor. According to Trask’s plan, the first floor will house a hip new restaurant while the third will boast a cool rooftop bar and potentially a second restaurant. The second floor isn’t being left out as it is projected to be office spaces.
Trask expressed his excitement about the upcoming project. “We believe the restaurant scene … is sub-par for a town like Beaufort and believe there’s an opportunity for a new restaurant group to come in and provide a lovely alternative to the incumbent players,” he says. However, the tenants for the restaurant and rooftop bar are yet to be secured. Once sorted out, construction will take about a year to complete.
You Say Goodbye, and I Say Hello
As it stands, YoYo’s Ice Cream, a beloved local joint, sits on the property where the new building is expected to rise from. Sadly, the building will be demolished to make room for the new one. Nonetheless, the neighboring businesses including Cook on Bay, YoYo’s Frozen Yogurt, and The Rustic Pup Biscuits and Boutique, will hold their grounds, unaffected by the development.
The Future of Beaufort
This is indeed a big step forward for Beaufort, sending signs of progress and growth. It’s an exciting time for locals and visitors alike to see the evolution of this historic town. You might even say it’s the dawn of a new era. As Trask succinctly puts it, “We appreciate all the stake holders to include city staff, the Historic Beaufort Foundation, and the HDRB for their input as we progressed… through conceptual to preliminary to final approval all because of following the Beaufort code.”
Tags: Beaufort, Beaufort Code, Graham Trask, Ladys Island, Lowcountry, Mike Sutton, Port Royal, restaurant, rooftop bar, SC, South Carolina, The Island News, waterfront
