A new boutique hotel will break ground this fall in downtown Aiken.
“It’ll be a revitalization and a cornerstone of downtown Aiken. It’s really by Aiken for Aiken. We really want to embody the spirit of Aiken,” operator Tina McCarthy told What Now Charleston.
The Laureate is being developed by McCarthy, in partnership with Chad Ingram and Rob Johnston, and will incorporate the Farmers and Merchants Bank Building at 167 Lauren St., along with adjacent property on Park Ave.
“It’s a very, very cool building. We’re on the corner of Laurens St. and Park Ave. It’s got a lot of great history. It’s actually three historic buildings all cobbled together. What we are going to do is a historic renovation of the old bank building, and then the new build will be where the drive-thru teller is,” she said.
While the team will work on the new build, it also plans to prioritize historic preservation, with all components designed to be connected.
“As we expand into the new building and historic space, we’re going to honor the history of the bank itself. We’ll keep the Farmers and Merchants sign. There are some safes in here we’re going to keep, the old arches in the windows, the terrazzo floor. To be able to blend the old with the new, it’s really special,” she said.
The new build will include the hotel portion, a four-story structure with 84 rooms, suites and extended-stay residences. It will also feature a lobby bar and garden courtyard.
“Our lobby will be beautiful, with a fireplace and very comfortable, and a relaxing setting,” McCarthy said.
The historic renovation will take place inside the Farmers and Merchants Bank building, which will house a restaurant and bar, meeting rooms, fitness space and possibly a small spa. The restaurant is still in the process of curating a menu and finalizing a name.
“The restaurant will be in the historical part of the bank’s lobby that has these big windows and a huge safe. We know that we’re not going to do a fine dining, white table cloth type of restaurant. I think it will be more of a gathering place, bistro type restaurant,” she said.
Both the restaurant and bar, as well as the hotel lobby bar, will each have a distinct vibe and will be open to everyone, not just hotel guests.
“If you were riding horses and you’re in your riding clothes and you want to come in for a glass of wine, or you’ve been playing golf and want to come in after that, you’re completely fine. We want locals and out of town guests to enjoy it. It’s all about the culture and connecting,” McCarthy said.
The name “Laureate” nods to excellence and honor.
“Historically, laurels were presented in a wreath form to Olympians, military generals, and poets. It was a precursor to trophies or medals. For us, it’s an emblem of perseverance with the history of honoring things of excellence—whether it’s us preserving this beautiful building, the excellent service that we want to give our guests, or honoring the best of Aiken,” she said.
McCarthy said she and the team look forward to breaking ground, which is targeted for October.
“We’ve done so much preplanning that we’re now just ready to see something physically happen. With the town being so excited about it too, they’re also ready. We’re very, very close,” she said.
Once construction begins, McCarthy said the team is targeting an opening by late 2027 or early 2028. Stay tuned for the grand reveal of The Laureate.
